In this episode of the Vegan Visibility Podcast, Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, an animal activist, philosopher, and author, engages in a thought-provoking conversation about her book “Amore and Vegan Ethics.” As a retired philosophy professor, Lisa shares insights into her acronym “AMORE,” which encapsulates the core moral reasons for adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
Animal Suffering: She starts with “A” for animal suffering, delving into the ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of animals in various industries, with a focus on dairy farming.
Medical: Moving on to “M” for medical, Lisa explores the health benefits of a plant-based diet, emphasizing its positive impact on preventing diseases like cancer and heart-related issues.
Oppression: The discussion then turns to “O” for oppression, where Lisa highlights the interconnectedness of social justice issues with veganism, addressing aspects such as world hunger, workforce conditions in animal agriculture, and the environmental impact.
Religion: The “R” in AMORE takes us into the realm of religion, where Lisa unpacks how different religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Eastern religions, align with or challenge the principles of veganism. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the religious perspectives of individuals to foster meaningful conversations.
Environment: Finally, Lisa covers “E” for the environment, breaking down the environmental consequences of animal agriculture, including soil degradation, deforestation, climate change, water pollution, and fresh water reduction.
Advocacy at Its Best
Throughout the conversation, Lisa provides valuable insights for activists, encouraging a thoughtful and considerate approach to advocacy. She shares personal experiences, recommends strategic conversations based on individual beliefs, and stresses the significance of education in creating awareness about the moral reasons behind adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
Listeners are encouraged to explore Lisa’s website, tap into resources for further education, and consider supporting her Tapestry project—an initiative aimed at creating a comprehensive online resource on veganism and its intersections with various aspects of life.
In the latter part of the podcast episode, Lisa Kemmerer delves into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding veganism. She addresses the common criticism that a plant-based diet is elitist and inaccessible, emphasizing the importance of making veganism inclusive and affordable for everyone.
Transitioning to a Plant-Based Lifestyle
The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle. Lisa shares her own experiences and offers practical advice for individuals who are contemplating or navigating this journey. She highlights the significance of community support and finding joy in discovering new, delicious plant-based recipes.
As the interview progresses, Lisa explores the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression, emphasizing that advocating for animal rights goes hand in hand with promoting social justice on a broader scale. She encourages listeners to recognize the collective impact of their choices and align them with values of compassion and sustainability.
The episode concludes with Lisa expressing optimism about the growing awareness and acceptance of veganism. She encourages individuals to approach these conversations with empathy, acknowledging that people come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Through understanding, education, and open dialogue, Lisa believes in fostering a world where compassion is extended not only to humans but to all living beings.
Overall, the podcast provides a rich exploration of the ethical, environmental, and health aspects of veganism, making it a valuable resource for those interested in adopting a plant-based lifestyle or deepening their understanding of its profound implications.
About Dr. Lisa Kemmerer
Internationally known for her work in animal ethics, Dr. Lisa Kemmerer is the founder of the educational, vegan umbrella organization, Tapestry. With a Master of Theological Studies in Comparative Religions (Harvard) and a Ph.D. in philosophy (specializing in animal ethics at Glasgow University, in Scotland), Kemmerer taught for 20 years at the university level. She has written more than 100 articles/anthology chapters and 10 books, including In Search of Consistency, Animals and World Religions, Sister Species, and Eating Earth. Dr. K retired in July of 2020 to become a full-time social justice activist with Tapestry.
Dr. Kemmerer’s sense of wonder in nature, smallness of self, and simplicity of lifestyle were enhanced by climbing and backpacking, month-long kayak trips, a bicycle trip from Washington to Alaska, and a number of close brushes with an early end. Travel abroad also shaped her worldview. She worked as a forest fire fighter and nurse’s aide in a nursing home to buy a ticket to the South Pacific, where she hitchhiked aournd, listening to the views of hundreds of diverse locals. She also traveled parts of Asia, where her understanding of time, “necessities,” and community were altered by rural Burma and Bangladesh and in little villages on the high ridges of Nepal.
She earned her undergraduate degree in International Studies at Reed College, where she founded her first anymal activist organization and earned a competitive Watson Fellowship that took her on a two-year journey to explore the place of women and anymals in religions. She ventured to remote monasteries and temples in northern China, spent a month at the Dalai Lama’s school in north India, visited holy sites in Israel, stayed with Palestinians and visited patients at a West Bank hospital, and traveled to remote hermitages in mountain ranges of Egypt and Turkey.
Learn more at http://www.lisakemmerer.com/
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is the founder and CEO of Vegan Visibility, a marketing and visibility consulting company dedicated to healthy living, compassion for the animals and kindness to the planet. As an ethical vegan, Kathleen is committed to doing all possible to shine the spotlight on those who align with the vegan mission and message.
Kathleen is the co-founder of Vegan Visibility Productions, a production company working with vegan and plant-based identified companies.
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