Leaving a kinder, gentler footprint

Notes: "Back in 2010, Shannon Cottrell was just a few minutes into the film 'Food Inc.' when she felt the stirrings of a life-changing decision: she would become a vegetarian -- immediately. The 2009 documentary exposes the cruel underbelly of the North American meat industry and factory farming". Cottrell "made the switch to full-scale veganism -- even eschewing honey -- in October 2011". According to United Nations' figures, livestock production is responsible for 18 per cent of climate change -- more than all of transportation. A surprising 30 per cent of the earth's land is used in some way for meat production in Canada. There there's the contamination of earth and water systems by pesticides and animal waste. Cottrell has no regrets about changing her lifestyle. 'It's about safeguarding the integrity of creation and sustaining and renewing the life of the earth. I have one life, and I realized at age 32 that I want to be more mindful and to live life in a kinder and more conscious way'."

Subjects: Vegetarianism - Religious aspects - Christianity; Animal welfare - Religious aspects - Christianity; Livestock - Environmental aspects; Cottrell, Shannon