Posts tagged with environment:
If any kid ever realized what was involved in factory farming they would never touch meat again. I was so moved by the intelligence, sense of fun and personalities of the animals I worked with on “Babe” that by the end of the film I was a vegetarian.
I will forever cherish the day I met James Cromwell (in the pig pen at Animal Acres!)
You know I take climate change seriously (<—sign this) here on Tree Kisser, but I’m also still pretty sad about Leonardo DiCaprio sinking into the ocean. Dilemmas dilemmas…
Recycled Leather: Yea or Nay?
A few months ago I came across an incredibly unique company called Novella Royale. I discovered the site through Tristan Prettyman, one of my favorite musical artists and a big fan of Novella Royale’s fashion. The essence of the company is this: they find vintage materials and fabrics, then revamp & redesign them into a fabulous accessory or piece of clothing. Every piece is unique and hand crafted. I’ve been pining after these shorts for months (one of these days I’m going to splurge on them), and consequently have ended up following the company on every possible social media platform (they post awesome stuff).
Here’s the issue: They sell leather.
Here’s the question- What do we think about it?
Here’s why I’m not 100% sure- No one (new) has to die for it.
Because of their dedication to environmental preservation, Novella Royale only uses recycled leather. They find vintage leather jackets, cut them up, and turn them into magically fashionable bags/apparel. While I occasionally purchase faux leather products, I do know that they are not always the most environmentally friendly items (and by hurting the environment, we are of course harming animals & humans); because of this, I try to purchase them only in moderation, unless they are from mind-blowingly eco-friendly vegan companies like OlsenHaus. Still, a girl’s gotta put something on her feet- and on her arm. The only possible issue I can see in wearing recycled leather items is that they promote the idea that leather is fashionable- but is that any different than wearing faux leather? I can’t see a difference.
I’ve been pretty torn about the issue for a while now, and here’s what I’ve concluded: I don’t love the idea of wearing something that was once a living, breathing, feeling animal on my body, but that is mostly out of my own discomfort as opposed to a true ethical objection. Since I’m lucky enough to have a canvas “Fur Free” tote that I take everywhere, I’m pretty set for the moment- but for the rest of you out there who need something to hold your Matt & Nat wallet and Lush lip gloss, I (think I) encourage you to buy from Novella Royale- a company that is truly taking steps to protect our planet and its inhabitants.
I have a feeling there will be some opposing opinions out there, and I’d love to hear them! Let me have it.
Edit: Thanks for the feedback! If your vote is nay, what’s your favorite cruelty-free company/material?
Think before you buy that bottled water or say yes to that bag in the checkout line…
Break your plastic addiction (I need help breaking mine too!) with Surf Rider!
Dear All Men In The World:
Watch this. If you’re vegan, it will inspire you. If you aren’t, it will make you question that in the best way possible. (not at all graphic, no need to grab the tissues!)
“There’s effects on our water, our environment, our soil. There’s effects on public health and personal health. There’s a whole range of issues associated with animal agriculture. And when you take animal agriculture out of the equation, it helps solve a lot of these issues. it’s the only way to solve a lot of these issues. We can continue to put bandaids over it, but at the end of the day, if we don’t fix our appetites for animal based foods and fashion, we’re heading down the wrong path, and it’s just not sustainable.”
“The question is, what do you stand for? Do you have principles? Are there things that you believe, and are you the kind of person that’s going to stand up, and say hey, count me in, these are my principles, this is what I believe, and I’m going to defend them…and if you’re not that kind of guy, then you know, hey, maybe veganism isn’t for you. But what I’m saying is, if you’re the kind of guy that believes in compassion, you believe in mercy, you believe in right vs. wrong, then this is the right lifestyle for you, and this is what you need to be doing.”
- Robert Lucius, CEO of the Humane Party
**I thought about posting something new to address Thanksgiving this year, but realized I’d probably write the exact same thing I wrote last year. So, copied & pasted below are my thoughts re: America’s double standard with regards to wildlife, “farm animals”, and dietary choices. Tomorrow you will choose to eat turkey or not to eat turkey, and your choice will make you either part of the solution or part of the problem. Without further ado…:
Remember how upset we were by the images from the BP Oil Spill? Remember how we condemned humanity and our addiction to oil? Remember how while we criticized BP we also admitted our own individual contribution to the tragedy? Remember how we vowed to change?
Can anyone honestly and truly explain to me how the above images are any different than those below?
(dying Turkey lays face down in a factory farm)
(Live Turkeys in transit…some have already died due to inadequate food, warmth, or hydration)
(live Turkeys hung upside down before slaughter, to make the killing process easier for the slaughterhouse employee)
It’s 2010 (editor’s note: now it’s 2011, and we’re STILL doing this s$&#!), and there is no longer any possible defense or excuse for eating a Turkey on Thanksgiving. 45 million have already been killed this year just for this holiday alone. By abstaining from eating animals this Thanksgiving, you can send a clear message to horrific companies like Tyson and Butterball.
You will tell them you won’t accept their standards, you will not fund their cruelty, and you will find a new way.
Giving up your car to stop using oil is hard. Going vegan is easy.
(This post inspired by the brilliance of Andrew Kirschner)
