The Vision

I believe in us, and in what we can do.

The reality of humanity now, today, is that we are hurtling toward our own doom. Unless we choose to rise above our current ways of thinking, we will destroy this planet and everything on it. We need to consider that we are part of a global community, and that as its self-appointed caretakers, we have a responsibility to protect the other species on this planet -- not to abuse, consume or disregard them as disposable commodities. There is no reasonable, coherent justification for causing unnecessary harm to anyone or anything.

 

Veganism is the logical first step in this process: we must abolish any and all forms of animal use, and adopt a non-violent, plant-based mode of survival. We must cease and desist all animal breeding and exploitation, take care of the domesticated animal population that remains here, and learn how to coexist with other species in a mutually supportive way. There is no coherent justification for continuing to harm animals when there is no necessity for it.

 

A whole foods, plant-based diet can and does improve health, fights disease, and with more land being used to grow crops that feed the people (instead of feeding the animals who will eventually feed the people), we could feed every person on Earth for generations while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Veganism can put an end to world hunger, and combat food-centric diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. There is also research to strongly suggest that such a diet can work to prevent and fight cancer. 

 

We also need to abolish the concept of material wealth, and pour whatever resources we have into the betterment of the entire planet. We have enough wealth in 1% of the North American population to easily move us toward the future we need, but callousness, greed and excess have led us in a direction that is killing the planet and everything that lives here.

 

Many scholars and authors have shown examples of utopian societies in which veganism and non-violence plays a central role. We can achieve this easily because we have all of the tools and resources to eradicate disease, crime, poverty hunger, pollution, overcrowding and even physical labour.

We can elevate the human species to near-godhood just by shifting around a few priorities and making a conscious effort to live peacefully. We can set a standard for quality of life, and then make that life freely available for everyone. Health care, education, worthwhile employment, and the same rights and freedoms  we are already taking advantage of every day.

 

We can replenish the world, make it perfect for life to flourish without a lot of outside interference, and act as its peaceful caretakers. In Biblical terms, we can recreate Eden right here on Earth, no apocalypse required.

Does that mean we have to abandon our technology? No. We need science. But a great deal of our research should be refocused to support the purification and stability of the ecosphere, to put an end to all diseases (human and animal), to maximize the use of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, and to develop newer, greener building materials. We can continue to live in our world of Netflix, Facebook and online gaming, and we can look forward to the same future of flying cars, robot butlers and space travel just as we always did -- but we will do all of those things faster, more collaboratively, and (best of all) without harming anything.

Does it mean that we should do away with religion? Not at all. Faith is wonderful, and everyone should be free to believe in whatever higher power they believe in -- provided it causes no harm. A collaborative process can exist among religious circles too -- in fact, this would be nothing new: religious scholars and alchemists would travel for weeks to share their discoveries, enhance their learning and accommodate new findings. If our default position is one of respect, acceptance and collaboration, there can be an end to religious conflict.

 

We can do all of this, right now, completely successfully. Not only are we more than capable of achieving such an enlightened state, but if we don't, we will engineer our own extinction, and take the entire world with us.

Is this Utopia achievable? Yes. Are we ready to do it? Not even a little -- but the first step toward it is veganism; I truly believe that. We must put an end to oppression in all forms, realize the damage we've done, and fix it - I truly believe in and hope for us. But as long as we remain fixated on greed, domination and excess, we will be stuck here like the savages we have become. 

I would see a better future for us. Would you?

- JL