Shalom Shamayim members and supporters/a Rosh Hashanah message that can help save our imperiled planet/Shana Tova/KOL tuv/Richard

[Richard Schwartz]

Shalom everyone,

It is essential that the Jewish year 5782, which is about to begin, be a turning point in efforts to promote veganism, reduce and even start to reverse climate change, and help start shifting our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path.

To help accomplish these objectives, I believe it is essential that we become more creative and persistent in stressing the following points throughout the year.

1. There is increasing evidence that  world is heading toward a climate catastrophe, so severe that all life on our planet is threatened. 
2. Because of self-reinforcing positive positive feedback loops (vicious cycles), hat might soon lead to an irreversible climate tipping point, it is essential that major steps to avert a climate catastrophe begin immediately.
3. While it will be very difficult to obtain, there is only one way that gives the possibility of averting a climate catastrophe, and that is via a societal shift to vegan diets, or at least a VERY large decrease in the consumption of meat and other animals products. This is the only approach that not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), due to there being less methane emitted by cows and other farmed animals, but also has the potential to greatly reduce current atmospheric GHGs by planting billions of trees on the over a third of the ice-free land currently being used for grazing and throwing feed crops for animals. 

4. Animal-based diets and agriculture seriously violate  basic Jewish teachings on preserving our health, treat animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and pursuing peace. 

5. Promoting veganism as a way to avert a climate catastrophe, reduce life-threatening diseases caused by animal-based diets, reduce deaths due to hunger, and reduce prospects for future pandemics, is applying the important Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh, which indicates that everything possible must be done to avert the loss of human life.

      Bottom line: we must take unprecedented positive actions very soon in efforts to leave a decent, habitable world for future generations!! We should use letters to editors, articles, podcasts, Zoom events, social media, and every other way possible to get the above messages and more out. The future of humanity depends on it. As often said, there is no PLANet B!

Resources that can help in our efforts are below.

Suggestions are VERY welcome. 

Many thanks for all the support, valuable suggestions, and encouragement I have received throughout the year.

Shana Tova u’metuka - best wishes for a good, sweet, healthy, and successful year for everyone. 

Richard

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SOURCES FOR PROMOTING OUR MESSAGES

1. My cover story in the August 9 issue of the Jerusalem Report, ‘Why Jews Should Be Vegans” can be read at https://jewcology.org/2021/07/my-cover-story-in-the-august-9-2021-jerusalem-post-on-why-jews-should-be-vegans/ .  No rabbi or other Jewish scholar has responded to our arguments because they are so convincing.

2. Glen Merzer’s latest book, “Food Is Climate” argues cogently, with much supporting material,  that the best and really only way to avert a climate catastrophe is through a societal shift to vegan diets. My podcast interview with Glen can be seen at https://jewcology.org/2021/08/my-podcast-interview-with-glen-merzer-author-of-the-potentially-transformative-book-food-is-climate-which-argues-that-the-only-way-to-avert-a-climate-catastrophe-is-through-a-societal-shift-to/ 

 

3. A very strong statement supporting veganism composed by Jewish Veg has been signed already by 150 rabbis. It will soon be released along with information about a major improvement in the organization’s website.

 

4. I am offering complimentary copies of my latest book, “Vegan Revolution: Saving Our World, Revitalizing Judaism,” to as many people as possible, and urge recipients to also share it very widely.. PDFs of the complete text  and the cover picture are attached. Please share them widely. I hope the widespread circulation of my book will spur many respectful dialogues that will further veganism, animal rights, environmental sustainability, and related issues.

5. My more comprehensive discussion of strategy ideas for obtain a vegan, environmentally sustainable world can be read at https://jewcology.org/2021/08/my-strategy-ideas-to-help-get-veganism-and-environmental-sustainability-onto-judaisms-agenda-and-societys-agenda-suggestions-are-very-welcome/ 

6 A recent report indicates that the Middle East is becoming literally “uninhabitable.”. (https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/24/the-middle-east-is-becoming-literally-uninhabitable/?utm_source=PostUp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=35812&utm_term=Editors%20Picks%20OC&tpcc=35812 )

7. My co-authored (with Prof. Dan Brook) cover story in the Jerusalem Report, “Climate Change: An Existential Threat to Humanity and How We Can Survive,” can be read at https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/climate-change-an-existential-threat-to-humanity-and-how-we-can-survive-643267 .

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Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island
Author of Vegan Revolution: Saving Our World, Revitalising Judaism; Judaism and Vegetarianism; Judaism and Global Survival; Mathematics and Global Survival; and Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet; and over 250 articles at JewishVeg.org/schwartz
President Emeritus, Jewish Vegetarians of North America (www.JewishVeg.org); President, Society Of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV):
Associate producer of A SACRED DUTY (www.aSacredDuty.com);
"Like" JVNA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JewishVeg