While some authors have asserted a relationship between economic inequality and climate change, f... more While some authors have asserted a relationship between economic inequality and climate change, few studies have investigated this relationship from a quantitative perspective, and until now no study has incorporated a multi-dimensional understanding of the drivers of climate change into its analysis. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the relationship between economic inequality and the causes of climate change as proxied by an aggregated measure of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon emissions, and renewable energy use. Multivariate regression models demonstrate that increased levels of economic inequality are correlated with higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions, higher levels of carbon emissions, and lower rates of renewable energy use in Europe between 2007 and 2011, substantiating the claim that economic inequality is positively correlated with the drivers of climate change. These findings highlight another deleterious effect of economic inequality on society and can inform the decisions of policymakers within Europe when taking action to address the climate crisis.
Animal agriculture brutalizes hundreds of billions of animals every year. More and more, veganism... more Animal agriculture brutalizes hundreds of billions of animals every year. More and more, veganism has been promoted as a way for individuals to address this violence. However, when passively pursued via personal dietary divestment, a vegan ethic fails to substantively challenge the cultural hegemony of carnism—the ideology that justifies the consumption of certain animals. Rather, in tacitly accepting the carnism of others, passive vegan eaters normalize and perpetuate the very exploitation their ethic stands against. The Liberation Pledge—essentially a commitment to never eat around those consuming animal products—is a response to this understanding. By explicitly and emphatically condemning the dietary violence of others, the Liberation Pledge functions to actively de-normalize the oppressive system, eroding a central tenant upon which carnism persists. Centrally, in this paper I contend that the Liberation Pledge is one of the most effective tools for doing so. It is my hope that readers will leave convinced to uptake the Pledge themselves, and if not, that the seeds for such action have been planted and await germination.
New Omnivorism and Strict Veganism: Critical Perspectives, 2023
Policy change is needed to adequately address the harms of animal agriculture. But there is subst... more Policy change is needed to adequately address the harms of animal agriculture. But there is substantial disagreement about what policy changes would be ethical and effective. For example, should we focus on relatively moderate interventions, such as informational and procurement policy changes, or should we also focus on relatively radical interventions such as meat taxes or bans? In this chapter, we consider the principled and practical pros and cons of meat taxes and bans. We argue that, to the extent that these interventions are (a) necessary to prevent massive and unnecessary harm and (b) can be implemented without violating basic rights, governments should implement them. We close by suggesting that a mixed approach involving taxes, bans, and other interventions will likely be best in many contexts in the short term.
Vegan Entanglements: Dismantling Racial and Carceral Capitalism, 2022
"Vegan Entanglements" invites sixteen activists, scholars, and journalists to grapple with some o... more "Vegan Entanglements" invites sixteen activists, scholars, and journalists to grapple with some of the most topical issues facing the animal protection movement.
In the chapter "Abolitionary Advocacy: Expanding Empathy Toward Total Liberation," nico draws on conversations from within jail to critique the animal protection movement's historical framing and focus, and outlines a more just and strategic path forward. Central to this path is a shift from targeting individuals to systems, and a move to include the human victims of Big Meat in our advocacy—slaughterhouse and factory farm workers in particular. The success of the animal protection movement depends, in part, upon this growth.
While some authors have asserted a relationship between economic inequality and climate change, f... more While some authors have asserted a relationship between economic inequality and climate change, few studies have investigated this relationship from a quantitative perspective, and until now no study has incorporated a multi-dimensional understanding of the drivers of climate change into its analysis. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the relationship between economic inequality and the causes of climate change as proxied by an aggregated measure of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon emissions, and renewable energy use. Multivariate regression models demonstrate that increased levels of economic inequality are correlated with higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions, higher levels of carbon emissions, and lower rates of renewable energy use in Europe between 2007 and 2011, substantiating the claim that economic inequality is positively correlated with the drivers of climate change. These findings highlight another deleterious effect of economic inequality on society and can inform the decisions of policymakers within Europe when taking action to address the climate crisis.
Animal agriculture brutalizes hundreds of billions of animals every year. More and more, veganism... more Animal agriculture brutalizes hundreds of billions of animals every year. More and more, veganism has been promoted as a way for individuals to address this violence. However, when passively pursued via personal dietary divestment, a vegan ethic fails to substantively challenge the cultural hegemony of carnism—the ideology that justifies the consumption of certain animals. Rather, in tacitly accepting the carnism of others, passive vegan eaters normalize and perpetuate the very exploitation their ethic stands against. The Liberation Pledge—essentially a commitment to never eat around those consuming animal products—is a response to this understanding. By explicitly and emphatically condemning the dietary violence of others, the Liberation Pledge functions to actively de-normalize the oppressive system, eroding a central tenant upon which carnism persists. Centrally, in this paper I contend that the Liberation Pledge is one of the most effective tools for doing so. It is my hope that readers will leave convinced to uptake the Pledge themselves, and if not, that the seeds for such action have been planted and await germination.
New Omnivorism and Strict Veganism: Critical Perspectives, 2023
Policy change is needed to adequately address the harms of animal agriculture. But there is subst... more Policy change is needed to adequately address the harms of animal agriculture. But there is substantial disagreement about what policy changes would be ethical and effective. For example, should we focus on relatively moderate interventions, such as informational and procurement policy changes, or should we also focus on relatively radical interventions such as meat taxes or bans? In this chapter, we consider the principled and practical pros and cons of meat taxes and bans. We argue that, to the extent that these interventions are (a) necessary to prevent massive and unnecessary harm and (b) can be implemented without violating basic rights, governments should implement them. We close by suggesting that a mixed approach involving taxes, bans, and other interventions will likely be best in many contexts in the short term.
Vegan Entanglements: Dismantling Racial and Carceral Capitalism, 2022
"Vegan Entanglements" invites sixteen activists, scholars, and journalists to grapple with some o... more "Vegan Entanglements" invites sixteen activists, scholars, and journalists to grapple with some of the most topical issues facing the animal protection movement.
In the chapter "Abolitionary Advocacy: Expanding Empathy Toward Total Liberation," nico draws on conversations from within jail to critique the animal protection movement's historical framing and focus, and outlines a more just and strategic path forward. Central to this path is a shift from targeting individuals to systems, and a move to include the human victims of Big Meat in our advocacy—slaughterhouse and factory farm workers in particular. The success of the animal protection movement depends, in part, upon this growth.
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Chapters by Nico Stu
In the chapter "Abolitionary Advocacy: Expanding Empathy Toward Total Liberation," nico draws on conversations from within jail to critique the animal protection movement's historical framing and focus, and outlines a more just and strategic path forward. Central to this path is a shift from targeting individuals to systems, and a move to include the human victims of Big Meat in our advocacy—slaughterhouse and factory farm workers in particular. The success of the animal protection movement depends, in part, upon this growth.
In the chapter "Abolitionary Advocacy: Expanding Empathy Toward Total Liberation," nico draws on conversations from within jail to critique the animal protection movement's historical framing and focus, and outlines a more just and strategic path forward. Central to this path is a shift from targeting individuals to systems, and a move to include the human victims of Big Meat in our advocacy—slaughterhouse and factory farm workers in particular. The success of the animal protection movement depends, in part, upon this growth.