Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Far-Reaching Impact of Dietary Choices

Published in the Baltimore Sun on March 14, 2005.

E. G. Vallianatos' "Reaping disaster" (Opinion Commentary, March 9) serves as a frightening reminder of how our seemingly insignificant dietary choices have far-reaching effects on the environment as well as human health and animal welfare.

We no longer can afford to deny the consequences of our actions.

Every time we consume meat, milk and eggs from factory-farmed animals, we are contributing to the perilously unfettered domination of modern agribusiness - from its careless practices that gave rise to mad cow disease to pollution-spewing factory farms and routine mistreatment of millions of cows, pigs and birds each year.

A vegetarian diet offers an easy and effective way to lead a more sustainable and compassionate life.

Erica Meier
Washington

The writer is director of Compassion Over Killing.