GPUS Animal Rights Committee
Craig Seeman
Green Party of New York
Animal Rights Committee Co-Chair
email: cseeman@optonline.net
Approval by committee member vote on committee list serve
Sponsor Peggy Koteen GPCA
Second Mary Rooker GPMD
Unanimous vote ending 11:59 PM January 30
Lead Committee Member sponsor
Peggy Koteen – Green Party of California, gandolfsneed@aol.com
Rationale for these revisions to the Platform:
We have long known that Animal Farming contributes greatly to Greenhouse Gasses, and that the Methane from ruminant animals is hugely more disastrous than CO2 emissions. It is fortunate that by eliminating methane production, there is a rapid decrease in Greenhouse Gas. Cutting methane emissions is the fastest opportunity we have to immediately slow the rate of global warming, even as we decarbonize our energy systems. Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere. Even though CO2 has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term. Therefore, if we truly want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050 over 1990 levels, then it is necessary to end the use of animals in farming. Additionally, the land/water resources used; the pollution of our waterways; and global biodiversity loss to raise domestic animals, regardless of the methods used, for food is immense.
Chapters of the platform and letters of plank being addressed:
III. Ecological Sustainability
A. Climate Change
Proposal:
III. A. 6. b
Current Language:
Convert our food producing systems to small-scale organic, regenerative agriculture (agroecology) systems to restore soil health, sequester carbon, foster biodiversity, discourage the currently unsustainable level of meat consumption, and secure robust ecosystem services for a sustainable future.
Revised Language:
Convert our food producing systems to small-scale organic animal-free agriculture systems to restore soil health; sequester carbon; foster biodiversity; discourage unsustainable meat consumption; and provide sufficient habitat for wildlife, including predators, to secure robust ecosystem services for a sustainable future.