I agree with Jack that certain of Manning's assertions/conclusions should be questioned, especially the issue of how much land is needed to feed a vegetarian, compared to someone who eats meat.  I was surprised that Manning didn't talk about that more directly, though he did discuss the amount of energy needed to produce a pound of meat, compared to a pound of grain. 

However, I also agree with Jack that Manning's article is interesting and thought-provoking, especially his analysis of the money-power-fuel-food connection, and his discussion of "catastrophic agriculture."   I'm glad his article was featured in a general-interest magazine like HARPER'S, where it has the opportunity to reach more readers who may not have thought about these issues before. 

Also, the message I took from the article regarding meat is that Manning feels that if one does want to eat meat, and do so more responsibly, it's important to find a "niche" in which the meat is produced in a way that does minimal damage to native ecosystems.   For Manning, who owns wild land, shooting an occasional wild elk on his property is a way to do that.  For others, as Manning pointed out, the niche might be eating lambs raised on sustainably-grazed pastures, for example.

Cindy



Cindy Hildebrand
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Ames, IA  50010

"Iowa is said to be a prairie state, but what is a prairie to the present generation?  Within 40 or 50 years, the broad stretches of tall shining grass trembling in the sunlight or tossed by the breezes into billowy waves, gorgeous as the season progresses with its pageant of brilliant hued flowers... is fast passing..."  (Ada Hayden) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts and other important Sierra Club messages by email at: http://www.sierraclub.org/email