JEWISH COMMUNITY URGED TO RESPOND TO GLOBAL WARMING AND OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS
For Immediate Release:
October
28, 2007
Contact:
Richard H. Schwartz, President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North
America (JVNA)
President@JewishVeg.com
Phone: (718) 761-5876
Responding to recent reports of the unprecedented raging wildfires in
California, severe droughts in the southeastern U.S. and other areas, major
floods in several states and much more, Jewish Vegetarians of North America
today urged the Jewish community to apply Judaism's splendid environmental
teachings in response to global warming and other environmental threats to all
of humanity.
Richard Schwartz, president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) and
author of “Judaism and Global Survival” stated: “When we read daily reports of
the effects of global climate change, such as record heat waves, severe storms,
widespread droughts, and the melting of glaciers and polar icecaps; when some
climate scientists are warning that global climate change may spin out of
control with disastrous consequences unless major changes are soon made; when a
recent report indicated that our oceans may be virtually free of fish by 2050;
when species of plants and animals are disappearing at the fastest rate in
history; when it is projected that half of the world's people will live in
areas chronically short of water by 2050; it is essential that the Jewish
community fulfill our mandate to be a ;light unto the nations' and lead efforts
to address these critical issues.”
JVNA pointed out that
JVNA is urging that tikkun olam-the
healing and repair of the world -- be a central issue in synagogues, Jewish
schools and other Jewish institutions. “Judaism has marvelous teachings on
environmental conservation and sustainability, and it is essential that they be
applied to respond to the many current environmental threats,” stated Rabbi
Barry Silver of Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor in
The group also stated that dietary concerns should be considered in terms of
environmental impacts. JVNA secretary/treasurer John Diamond stated: “In view
of the many threats to humanity, it is scandalous that the world is not only
trying to feed 6.5 billion people, but also over 50 billion farmed animals;
that 70 percent of the grain produced in the United States and over a third
produced worldwide are fed to animals raised for slaughter; that the standard
American diet (SAD) requires up to 14 times as much water as a vegan diet.”
Author and Jewish vegetarian activist Dan Brook added: “A 2006 UN FAO report indicated
that animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (18 percent in CO2
equivalents) than all the world's cars and other means
of transportation (13.5 percent), and that the number of farmed animals is
projected to double in 50 years. Therefore, what we eat is more important than what we drive and
consciousness about both are ethical imperatives.”
The coalition urges rabbis and other Jewish leaders to make Jews aware of how
animal-based diets and agriculture violate basic Jewish mandates to preserve
human health, treat animals compassionately, protect the environment, conserve
natural resources and help hungry people.
Further information about these issues can be found at the JVNA web site
JewishVeg.com. The group will provide complimentary copies of the books
“Judaism and Vegetarianism” and “Judaism and Global Survival” and related
materials to rabbis who will contact them and indicate how they will use them
to involve their congregations on the issues.
***************************************
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus,
Author of "Judaism and Vegetarianism," "Judaism and Global
Survival," and "Mathematics and Global Survival," and over 130
articles at www.JewishVeg.com/schwartz
President
of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) www.JewishVeg.com
and Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV) www.serv-online.org
Associate
Producer of A SACRED DUTY (asacredduty.com)
Director of Veg Climate Alliance (www.vegclimatealliance.org)
president@JewishVeg.com