Does each mouthful have an effect on our planet? Is there an urgent threat to human survival? Is the future dire? These are just some of the questions the award winning documentary “Eating Our Way To Extinction” explores.
If you’re not familiar with it, “Eating Our Way To Extinction” is a documentary that delves into the issue of unsustainable meat production. It brings attention to the wide-ranging repercussions of this practice, including deforestation, rising levels of air and water pollution, and the subsequent depletion of natural resources. Narrated by actress Kate Winslet and featuring appearances by business magnate Richard Branson and marine biologist Sylvia Earle, among others, the documentary secured the 2022 Environmental Media Award for Best Documentary Film. It also received the 2022 International Green Film Award at the Cinema for Peace Awards.
The documentary, directed by brothers Ludo Brockway and Otto Brockway and produced by Mark Galvin, sheds light on numerous critical issues. Firstly, it addresses the urgent concerns surrounding overfishing and ocean pollution, particularly stemming from discarded fishing nets. It underscores the vital role played by oceanic organisms in oxygen production and advocates for their protection.
Secondly, it delves into the scientific community’s recognition of the potential for animal agriculture to spark future pandemics. Moreover, it reveals the excessive effect exerted by the animal agriculture industry on governing bodies through substantial lobbying and financial support, leading to deforestation.
Additionally, the documentary advocates for the health advantages of a whole-food, plant-based diet, highlighting its suitability for individuals of all ages.It emphasises the necessity of implementing changes to safeguard the environment for future generations, with the adoption of a plant-based diet singled out as one of the most impactful personal actions.
“It’s quite an ominous sounding title”
“That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to have a strong title. It was because people don’t seem to realise the effects of animal agriculture.” Producer Mark Galvin explains to Sean Lee-Davies on Episode 15 of Our Future Nature Podcast, that while the title of the documentary can sound a bit dire, it is fundamentally true.
From deforestation to methane emissions, animal agriculture isn’t aiding the environment in any way. The gases released by livestock, like cows, are a big part of climate change and to make room for all those animals and their food, forests are getting wiped out, messing up habitats and biodiversity. Plus, all the chemicals used in farming end up polluting our waterways. It’s a domino effect of environmental problems, the fall from greenhouse gases to deforestation, to water pollution. The message is simple: we’ve got to find better ways to feed ourselves without destroying the planet, or if not, we’re eating our way to extinction.
It’s not just about the scientific side of losing biodiversity. There’s a whole spiritual aspect we often ignore, thinking we can live apart from nature. But did you know that listening to birdsong can actually boost our mental well-being? As much as we believe we can build civilisations from scratch, we’re deeply intertwined with nature and biodiversity, whether we realise it or not.
“We’re not tackling the meat issue like we should be”
While there are meat alternatives emerging everywhere, they don’t really solve the issue with animal agriculture. Sure, veggie burgers and lab-grown meats might mean fewer animals are raised for food, but there’s more to it.
Mark suggests that it’s time for governments to take a closer look at subsidies. He points out that, on a positive note, nearly 50% of UK consumers are cutting down on meat consumption, as evidenced by both statistics and real-world examples.
And the thing is, if we put it in perspective, we’re seeing some great progress with electric vehicles and renewable energy, thanks to governments getting on board with supportive laws. There are cities out there that are aiming to run entirely on renewable energy for a whole day, which is fantastic. However, Mark explains that there’s this one area where we’re dropping the ball: the food industry, especially meat production. Despite all the damage it does to the environment, like excessive greenhouse gas production, meat consumption is still the standard way of life for most of the planet.
Again, it’s crucial to emphasise the urgent need for a transition to more sustainable, plant-based diets to alleviate the environmental strain inflicted by the meat industry; a central message underscored by the documentary.
“All the big voices help as long as they want to talk”
The documentary stars many respectable and well-known people, including Ludo Brockway’s uncle, Sir Richard Branson, and it was also narrated by Kate Winslet, but do celebrity voices actually move the needle? “All the big voices help as long as they want to talk,” Ludo shares. “I think what is important to us is that everyone involved is predominantly plant-based, and getting these big voices, I think, definitely helps bring the message forward.”
The key to making a real change lies in using our voice and aligning our actions with our beliefs. Embracing a plant-based lifestyle and advocating for the planet means more than just talking the talk; it means walking the walk too. By making conscious choices about what we eat and supporting alternatives to animal agriculture, we actively contribute to reducing its harmful impact on the environment. Each meal becomes an opportunity to stand up for the planet, to lessen our ecological footprint, and to inspire others to strive for a more sustainable future. It’s through consistent action and vocal advocacy that we can truly make a difference in protecting our planet and all its inhabitants.
As host Sean Lee-Davies wraps up the episode, he pithily captures the universal human experience: “We only change when we feel the pain.” While we hope that isn’t the case for us, we’re confident that with documentaries like “Eating Our Way to Extinction,” we’re in good hands.
By the way….
If this piqued your interest, we’re more than happy to let you know that Ludo Brockway and Mark Galvin go into more depth discussing the future of our world in Episode 15 of the Our Future Nature Podcast, hosted by Sean Lee-Davies. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or YouTube for their thoughts about the animal agriculture industry, climate change, streaming platforms, and more.
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH via The Perfect World Foundation