Industrial animal agriculture perpetuates systemic harm on multiple fronts: it oppresses animals, exacerbates climate change, and exploits vulnerable human populations. As a student body committed to justice, sustainability, and ethical responsibility, we must confront this exploitative industry and advocate for meaningful change. This petition calls for increased awareness, institutional support for transitioning away from animal agriculture, and the integration of animal liberation into our campus’s sustainability framework.
1. The Oppression of Animals:
Animals raised in industrial agriculture endure unimaginable suffering, confined to inhumane conditions and denied their most basic freedoms. Their resistance to this oppression, as seen in documented cases of animals fleeing slaughterhouses, underscores their inherent desire for life and autonomy. We cannot ignore their plight.
Reference: Cows’ Struggle for Freedom
Animals raised in industrial agriculture endure unimaginable suffering, confined to inhumane conditions and denied their most basic freedoms. Their resistance to this oppression, as seen in documented cases of animals fleeing slaughterhouses, underscores their inherent desire for life and autonomy. We cannot ignore their plight.
Reference: Cows’ Struggle for Freedom
2. Climate Impact:
Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Research shows that a rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture could significantly mitigate climate change, highlighting the urgent need for systemic transformation.
Reference: PLOS Climate Study
Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Research shows that a rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture could significantly mitigate climate change, highlighting the urgent need for systemic transformation.
Reference: PLOS Climate Study
3. Exploitation of Vulnerable Workers:
The industry relies heavily on marginalized populations, including incarcerated individuals, undocumented workers, refugees, and people of color, who face dangerous working conditions, physical and psychological harm, and systemic exploitation. These workers are often treated as disposable, with little regard for their well-being.
References:
The industry relies heavily on marginalized populations, including incarcerated individuals, undocumented workers, refugees, and people of color, who face dangerous working conditions, physical and psychological harm, and systemic exploitation. These workers are often treated as disposable, with little regard for their well-being.
References:
Our Demands:
In light of these injustices, we call on the student government and university administration to take the following actions:
In light of these injustices, we call on the student government and university administration to take the following actions:
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Public Awareness Campaigns:
- Issue a formal statement to the student body and local news outlets acknowledging the interconnected harms of animal agriculture, including animal oppression, climate impact, and worker exploitation.
- Display educational materials in dining halls highlighting the ethical, environmental, and social consequences of industrial animal agriculture.
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Support for Transitioning Away from Animal Agriculture:
- Provide resources and support for students seeking to adopt plant-based diets.
- Ensure that all dining facilities offer equally attractive, nutritious, and accessible vegan alternatives wherever there are animal products.
- Maintain ongoing dialogue with students to improve the quality and variety of plant-based options.
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Integration into Sustainability Frameworks:
- Incorporate animal liberation and the quantification of animal exploitation into existing sustainability frameworks and decision-making processes.
- Include the ethical and environmental impacts of animal agriculture in cost-benefit analyses and food procurement policies.
Conclusion:
By taking these steps, our university can demonstrate leadership in addressing the interconnected crises of animal oppression, climate change, and social injustice. Together, we can build a more ethical, sustainable, and compassionate food system that aligns with our values of justice and equity.
We, the undersigned students, call on the student government to recognize this petition as a referendum of student sentiment and to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and administration to implement these changes.
