Have you ever heard of the Pickup Sticks Rule? It's based on the old kids' game and goes something like this: It's almost impossible to do just one thing. In my e-box is a request from Hinduism Today for Hindus to weigh in on the ethics of meat-derived biofuels. OTOH, it's "green" and uses what would otherwise go to waste. OTOH, the animal fats being used come from factory farms that some people consider to be an ethical problem per se, and meat production of any kind is carbon- and resource-intensive. It's an interesting question for Hindus and non-Hindus alike. I'll post the whole Hinduism Today query after the jump.
KAUAI, HAWAII, January 6, 2008: As biofuel companies search for substitutes to food crops, such as corn and soybeans, to make renewable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels, some are turning to chicken, pork and beef fat to make these "green" fuels. Hinduism Today is investigating the use of these animal fats to produce biodiesel for a coming article in the magazine. Sourced from animals already slaughtered for human consumption, the fuel produced from their fat is being touted by its makers as environmentally friendly, with lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels. Among vegans and environmentalists there is debate on the merits of this procedure.
Some people support the idea of using waste animal fat for fuel on the grounds that anything that reduces our use of carbon-emitting, petroleum-based fuels being a good thing, even if they otherwise wouldn't consume an animal product. Factory farming may not be a good thing, goes this line of reasoning, but at least its waste products are being put to a better use, rather than simply being disposed of.
On the other hand, can a byproduct of what PETA calls "one of the most environmentally destructive industries [that is, meat production] on the planet," one which is, according to a 2006 report by the United Nations, responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the cars, trucks and airplanes in the world combined, really be considered environmentally friendly? And doesn't it just support the continued suffering and exploitation of birds and animals?
We are interested in getting Hindu views on the subject, particularly as it relates to the principle of ahimsa, nonviolence. Is it an issue to a Hindu? Kindly e-mail your view to
ar@hindu.org.
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