vegan

Saturday March 30, 2024

The editorial cartoon depicts the Easter Bunny, holding a clipboard labelled "inventory," unimpressed by the soaring cocoa prices due to climate change, as it gazes at a small selection of boxed Easter chocolate amidst a pile of alternative treats. A human arm gestures towards the alternatives, suggesting, "maybe consider some alternatives?"

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 30, 2024

The Easter Bunny’s Warning: Climate Change and the Threat of Chocolate Shortages

April 3, 2021

As we prepare for the festivities of Easter, the iconic figure of the Easter Bunny hops into our consciousness, laden with baskets filled with colourful eggs and, of course, chocolate delights. It’s a tradition cherished by many, invoking feelings of joy, anticipation, and sweet indulgence. However, behind the whimsical facade of this beloved holiday tradition lies a troubling reality: the looming threat of chocolate shortages, yet another grim indicator of the costs of climate change.

For decades, chocolate has been a staple of Easter celebrations, symbolizing abundance, happiness, and the simple pleasures of life. Yet, as we delve deeper into the intricacies of chocolate production, we uncover a narrative tainted by the harsh realities of environmental degradation and climate instability.

News: Easter eggs are more expensive this year and climate change may be a culprit

April 20, 2019

The recent surge in cocoa prices, reaching unprecedented highs, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our global food systems. Poor harvests in West Africa, home to the majority of the world’s cocoa production, have been exacerbated by erratic weather patterns and the spread of crop diseases. The consequences are dire: dwindling cocoa supplies, soaring production costs, and dwindling incomes for cocoa farmers.

But let us not mistake this issue as merely a matter of economics. The chocolate shortage is but a symptom of a much larger crisis: the catastrophic impact of climate change on our planet’s ecosystems and livelihoods. From the decimation of insect populations crucial for pollination to the degradation of fertile land due to deforestation and soil erosion, the fingerprints of climate change are unmistakable.

April 4, 2015

As we savour each bite of our Easter chocolate, let us pause to reflect on the profound implications of its scarcity. It is a harbinger of a future where the simple pleasures we often take for granted may become increasingly elusive. The Easter Bunny’s deliveries, once a symbol of abundance and joy, may one day be overshadowed by the spectre of scarcity and uncertainty.

But amidst this gloomy forecast, there lies a glimmer of hope—a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers alike. We must recognize the urgent need to address the root causes of climate change and embrace sustainable practices that safeguard the future of chocolate production and the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

Opinion: NOT another chocolate shortage article 

December 1, 2007

Furthermore, we must demand accountability from the major stakeholders in the chocolate industry, urging them to prioritize environmental stewardship, fair labour practices, and long-term sustainability over short-term profits. It is time for us to reevaluate our relationship with chocolate, not merely as a commodity to be consumed but as a symbol of our commitment to a more equitable and resilient future.

This Easter, as we revel in the delights of the season, let us heed the Easter Bunny’s silent warning—the shortage of chocolate is not just a logistical inconvenience but a sobering reminder of the urgent need for collective action to mitigate the impacts of climate change before it’s too late. (AI)

 

Saturday January 19, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 19, 2019

Less beef, more beans. Experts say world needs a new diet

A hamburger a week, but no more — that’s about as much red meat people should eat to do what’s best for their health and the planet, according to a report seeking to overhaul the world’s diet.

Eggs should be limited to fewer than about four a week, the report says. Dairy foods should be about a serving a day, or less.

March 15, 2001

The report from a panel of nutrition, agriculture and environmental experts recommends a plant-based diet, based on previously published studies that have linked red meat to increased risk of health problems. It also comes amid recent studies of how eating habits affect the environment. Producing red meat takes up land and feed to raise cattle, which also emit the greenhouse gas methane.

attention to how diets affect the environment, but that the report’s recommendations do not reflect the level of scientific uncertainties around nutrition and health.

“The evidence is not as strong as it seems to be,” Ioannidis said.

The report was organized by EAT, a Stockholm-based non-profit seeking to improve the food system, and published Wednesday by the medical journal Lancet. The panel of experts who wrote it says a “Great Food Transformation” is urgently needed by 2050, and that the optimal diet they outline is flexible enough to accommodate food cultures around the world.

Overall, the diet encourages whole grains, beans, fruits and most vegetables, and says to limit added sugars, refined grains such as white rice and starches like potatoes and cassava. It says red meat consumption on average needs to be slashed by half globally, though the necessary changes vary by region and reductions would need to be more dramatic in richer countries like the United States. (Source: CBC) 

 

Thursday March 15, 2001

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 15, 2001

Canada bans animal product imports from EU

The federal government has expanded its ban on imports of meat products from the European Union in a bid to protect Canada from an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease threatening to devastate Europe’s livestock industry.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced yesterday that it will not allow imports of pigs, uncooked pork products, some unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products, and semen and embryos from certain animals.

Canada already bans imports of beef and lamb from Europe due to concerns about mad-cow disease.

Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said, “It’s the very same as we’ve been treating the United Kingdom for a couple of weeks.”

The government will also block imports of used farm equipment, which could carry the foot-and-mouth virus.

Britain has been devastated by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which attacks cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals with cloven hoofs.

The virus, which causes blisters on the tongue, gums, nostrils and upper part of the foot, is usually not fatal to animals but it can cause great weight loss since animals can’t eat. There is no risk to humans. (Source)