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This month we signed the plantbased treaty.<img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/a3534747-c2c5-4e53-8218-ae742d5ee062_rz2v4u.jpg" data-mce-src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/a3534747-c2c5-4e53-8218-ae742d5ee062_rz2v4u.jpg">What is the Plant Based Treaty?The adoption of a Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the UNFCCC/Paris Agreement will put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis. The Treaty aims to halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems caused by animal agriculture, to promote a shift to more healthy, sustainable plant-based diets and to actively reverse damage done to planetary functions, ecosystem services and biodiversity.&nbsp;There is a climate, ocean and biodiversity crisis. Fossil fuels and animal agriculture are the driving force behind runaway global warming as well as extensive biodiversity loss, large-scale deforestation, species extinction, water depletion, soil degradation and ocean dead zones.Addressing fossil fuels alone is not enough — we need action on food systems too; that’s where the Plant Based Treaty comes in. The three main greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are at record levels and rapidly accelerating; animal agriculture contributes to all three but is the main driver of methane and nitrous oxide emissions globally.Animal agriculture is driving Indigenous land theft in the Amazon; subjecting racially and ethnically marginalized communities to disproportionate amounts of toxic waste from factory farms and slaughterhouses as well as exposing workers to toxic chemicals, hazardous working conditions and severe trauma.Scientists warned in the&nbsp;IPCC sixth assessment&nbsp;that we need to cut methane or face collapse. Lead reviewer Durwood Zaelke said methane reductions were probably the only way of preventing temperature rises of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, otherwise extreme weather will increase and&nbsp;several planetary tipping points&nbsp;could be triggered, from which there is no coming back. Zaelke points out that “cutting methane is the biggest opportunity to slow warming between now and 2040. We need to face this emergency.”In short, the three greenhouse gases must be tackled both urgently and with equal measure. Plant-based and soft energy solutions that can mitigate this disaster are within our grasp — we just need to implement them.The Plant Based Treaty has three core principles:Demand 1 &nbsp; | &nbsp;RelinquishStop the problem increasing. No land use change, including deforestation, for animal agriculture<ul><li><ul><li>No building of new animal farms</li><li>No building of new slaughterhouses</li><li>No expansion or intensification of existing farms</li><li>No conversion of plant-based agriculture to animal agriculture</li><li>No conversion of any land for animal feed production</li><li>No clearing of forests or other ecosystems for animal grazing, animal rearing or animal farming of any kind</li><li>No new fish farms or expansion of existing aquaculture farms</li><li>Protection of Indigenous peoples; their land, rights and knowledge</li><li>Ban all live exports</li><li>No new large-scale industrial fishing vessels&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul>Demand 2 &nbsp; | &nbsp;RedirectEliminate the driving forces behind the problem. Promotion of plant-based foods and actively transition away from animal-based food systems to plant-based systems.<ul><li>Declare a climate emergency – join the 1,900+ local governments in 34 different countries that have already done so</li><li>Food security should be placed as a priority for all nations, with a focus on ending poverty and hunger and making nutritious food accessible for all</li><li>Acknowledge and support the pivotal role small farmers have in feeding the planet; support them to maintain (or restore) autonomy over their lands, water, seeds and other resources</li><li>Prioritize a switch to plant-based foods in Climate Action Plans</li><li>Update government food and dietary guidelines to promote wholefood, plant-based food</li><li>Design public information campaigns to raise awareness about the climate and the environmental advantages and health benefits of plant-based food, nutrition and cooking</li><li>Aim to reduce the public’s consumption of animal-based food through education in schools</li><li>Transition to plant-based meal plans in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and government institutions</li><li>Mandate honest labelling of food products, including cancer warning labels on all processed meats which have been declared carcinogenic by the World Health Organization</li><li>Introduce a meat tax (including fish) with proceeds funding restoration of land destroyed by animal agriculture</li><li>Subsidize fruits and vegetables to make a wholefoods, plant-based diet more affordable and end food deserts that hurt low income communities</li><li>Redirect government subsidies for animal agriculture, slaughterhouses and industrial fishing to environmentally-friendly production of plant-based food</li><li>End government subsidized advertising for the meat, dairy and egg industry</li><li>Create green bonds to fund a transition to a plant-based economy</li><li>Provide financial support and training for farmers, ranchers and fisherpeople to move away from animal production to diversified (ideally organic agroecological) plant-based systems&nbsp;</li></ul>Demand 3 &nbsp; | &nbsp;RestoreActively healing the problem while building resilience and mitigating climate change. Restore key ecosystems and reforest the earth<ul><li>Reforestation projects to be rolled out in appropriate ecosystems using native tree species to restore habitats to a previously similar state</li><li>Reforestation and restoration of the oceans is prioritised by designating additional areas of the oceans as zero fishing Marine Protected Areas (known as Highly Protected Marine Areas – HPMAs)</li><li>All existing Marine Protected Areas should be declared strictly no fishing zones and converted to HPMAs</li><li>Active programs rolled out to replant critical carbon absorbers in the oceans, such as seagrass beds</li><li>Restore key degraded ecosystems which are essential for carbon sequestration cycles: mangroves, peat bogs, forests, some types of grassland</li><li>Focus shift on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation</li><li>Subsidies made available for farmers and landowners who practise good land stewardship and are actively restoring the land and the associated ecosystem services (such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, flood defence, general climate change resilience)</li><li>Subsidies made available for rewilding and reforestation projects</li><li>Incentivised subsidies / grants for farmers to switch from animal agriculture to diversified plant production</li><li>Cities: increase trees and wildflowers, increase green community projects, wildlife corridors, green rooftops, local growing schemes, work towards biodiversity increases</li><li>Enhance food justice by providing access to healthy food for all, especially low-income communities of color</li><li>Repurpose available land freed up from animal grazing and animal feed production for: rewilding, reforestation (if appropriate), returning land to Indigenous people, nature reserves, hiking zones, community growing, allotments (if appropriate), agroecological food growing (where possible)</li><li>Shift of some land ownership into community hands so the land can be repurposed for reforestation, green space and community food gardens and allotments&nbsp;</li></ul><a href="https://plantbasedtreaty.org/who-has-endorsed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-mce-href="https://plantbasedtreaty.org/who-has-endorsed/">See who has signed and sign up here!</a>

The Plant Based Treaty

Small abused boy crying in the corner of his home because of domestic violence

Animal cruelty and domestic violence are two issues that often go hand in hand, creating a disturbing and interconnected cycle of abuse. While they may seem like separate problems, the relationship between them is undeniable. Understanding this relationship is crucial in order to address both issues effectively and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

<h2>The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence</h2>

Research has shown that there is a strong correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence. In many cases, individuals who abuse animals are also likely to be involved in other forms of violence, including domestic abuse. This connection is often referred to as the "link" or "bridge" between animal cruelty and human violence.

One possible explanation for this link is the concept of power and control. Perpetrators of domestic violence often exert power and control over their victims, and this can extend to their treatment of animals. By exerting dominance and inflicting harm on animals, abusers reinforce their sense of power and control, which can then be transferred to their human victims.

<h3>The Warning Signs</h3>

Recognizing the warning signs of animal cruelty can help identify potential cases of domestic violence. It is important to be vigilant and report any suspicions or concerns to the appropriate authorities. Some common signs of animal cruelty include:

<ul>
 <li>Repeated neglect or abandonment of animals</li>
 <li>Physical injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or burns</li>
 <li>Intentional harm or killing of animals</li>
 <li>Forced animal fighting or involvement in illegal activities</li>
</ul>

By paying attention to these signs, we can help protect both animals and potential human victims from further harm.

<h3>The Impact on Victims</h3>

For victims of domestic violence, the presence of animal cruelty can have a profound impact on their willingness and ability to leave an abusive situation. Many victims stay in abusive relationships out of fear for the safety of their pets or other animals in the household. The abuser may use the threat of harm to the animals as a means of control, making it even more difficult for the victim to escape.

Recognizing the importance of pets in the lives of domestic violence survivors, many shelters and organizations now offer pet-friendly accommodations. These initiatives aim to provide a safe haven for both the survivors and their beloved animals, allowing them to escape the cycle of abuse together.

<h3>Breaking the Cycle</h3>

In order to break the cycle of animal cruelty and domestic violence, it is crucial to address both issues simultaneously. This requires collaboration between animal welfare organizations, domestic violence shelters, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Education and awareness play a vital role in preventing and addressing these issues. By promoting empathy and compassion towards animals, we can foster a society that rejects all forms of violence. Additionally, providing resources and support for both animal and human victims is essential in breaking the cycle of abuse.

<h3>Conclusion</h3>

The relationship between animal cruelty and domestic violence is a complex and troubling one. By understanding and addressing this connection, we can work towards creating a safer and more compassionate society for all living beings. Together, we can break the cycle of abuse and protect the most vulnerable among us.

The Relationship Between Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence

There's no point debating something if you can't first agree on what the topic is.Every so often a person will not only recognise an injustice, they take action to oppose it, and as they live by example and share their ideas a justice movement is born and named.No, it's not a dietVeganism is often perceived in society, and even described in some dictionaries thanks to common misuse, as a diet rather than the moral baseline of the animal justice movement. This is owed in large part to it's roots in November 1944, Donald Watson called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians, including Elsie Shrigley, to discuss non-dairy vegetarian diets and lifestyles. Though many held similar views at the time, these six pioneers were the first to actively found a new movement - despite opposition. The group felt a new word was required to describe them; something more concise than ‘non-dairy vegetarians’. Rejected words included ‘dairyban’, ‘vitan’, and ‘benevore’. They settled on ‘vegan’, a word that Donald Watson later described as containing the first three and last two letters of ‘vegetarian’. In the words of Donald Watson, it marked “the beginning and end of vegetarian”.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap">Although the plantbased diet that vegans aspire to adhere to was defined early on it was as late as 1949 before Leslie J Cross pointed out that the society lacked a definition of veganism and he suggested “[t]he principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man”. This is later clarified as “to seek an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man”.</div>So very early on the concept of total animal liberation was at the heart of veganism, a moral philosophy in which diet is simply one of countless expressions of the ethical position. This has been captured in the modern definition:<img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/559bec94-cba8-4c92-83fe-f0c2302cc61d_fb_img_1663934896566.jpg" data-mce-src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/559bec94-cba8-4c92-83fe-f0c2302cc61d_fb_img_1663934896566.jpg">The crucial part of this definition is "as far as is possible and practicable" - The Vegan Society recognises that the world is built around&nbsp;<a href="https://carnism.org/carnism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow nofollow" data-mce-href="https://carnism.org/carnism/">carnism</a>&nbsp;and so it is virtually impossible to avoid causing harm entirely.&nbsp;100% inclusiveAs per this definition, every single person on Earth can be vegan since veganism simply means avoiding animal exploitation when it is in your power to do so. Who can't use a choice when they have a choice?<img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/c4e97666-465b-4cc5-8fee-657dd5075e5d_screenshot_20200323-162914_twitter.jpg" data-mce-src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/c4e97666-465b-4cc5-8fee-657dd5075e5d_screenshot_20200323-162914_twitter.jpg">Vegans aren't perfect<blockquote>"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"&nbsp;- Vince Lombardi</blockquote>Inequality is widespread, therefore an individual will have different ideas of what is possible and practicable, but if everyone gave their sincere best&nbsp;every day to make this a kinder fairer world we would ultimately achieve total liberation for all animals.Humans are animals too!Imagine for a moment you are about to be born but you have no idea which body you were going to born into. Would you hope it was a world that was fair to women? Hope for a place that doesn't prejudge you based on the colour of your skin? An existance that isn't a few months held captive before the slaughterhouse? A life that is free from being hunted by people with guns?Martin Luther King said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly"<img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/07efd95c-5a12-490b-84a7-2f1a17cff307_img_20171121_194231.jpg" data-mce-src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/07efd95c-5a12-490b-84a7-2f1a17cff307_img_20171121_194231.jpg">

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The Plant Based Treaty

The Relationship Between Animal Cruelty and Domestic Viol...

What is veganism?