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Si hablamos sobre el daño que el consumo de carne causa en los animales, los cuáles llevan una vida de sufrimiento y tortura para que lleves un pedazo bistec a tu boca, probablemente podrías pensar: “bueno, pero nos sirve para sobrevivir y obtrener nutrientes”. ¿Pero qué tal si te decimos que todos esos alimentos cárnicos que llevas cada semana a tu casa o se consumen en restaurantes a lo largo del mundo están causando la destrucción del hábitat natural de muchas especies, además del nuestro?
Gracias a varios estudios científicos realizados en varios centros de investigación alrededor del mundo, ya está comprobado el efecto nocivo que el consumo de carne tiene en el cambio climático.

Aproximadamente el 51% de los gases de efecto invernadero son causados por el ganado bovino, del cual se producen millones de kilos de carne y productos derivados al año, para el consumo humano.
Pero no solo eso, ahora sabemos que más del 30% de la superficie total de nuestro planeta está dedicada al ganado, y mucha de la producción agrícola mundial se dedica casi exclusivamente a la producción de semillas y granos para la producción de pienso para alimentar a estos animales, lo que ha llevado a la deforestación de grandes hectáreas en lugares como la selva del amazonas.

En esta zona en Sudamérica se producen grandes cantidades de soya, de la cual el 77% va destinada a convertirse en alimento para animales, y solo el 7% se destina al consumo humano.

Los efectos de esta sobreproducción ya se pueden notar en la desaparición de ecosistemas enteros, disminución de la biodiversidad y extinción de especies alrededor del mundo, y un deterioro cada vez mayor del medio ambiente en general, algo que está acelerando el cambio climático en el mundo.
¿Qué hacer entonces? Según datos generados por investigadores de la Universidad de Oxford, si la humanidad pasara a una alimentación vegetariana o vegana se podría reducir hasta en un 76% la superficie destinada a la producción agrícola, y disminuir la huella de carbono causado por los alimentos de cada persona.

Así que la próxima vez que veas esa hamburguesa frente a ti o estés cortando un pedazo de sirloin que recién llegó a tu mesa, piensa, ¿vale la pena seguir arriesgando al futuro de nuestros hijos solo por nuestra propia satisfacción?

Aún estamos a tiempo.

Los combatientes llegan, se miran fijamente, saben que van a enfrentarse en unos pocos segundos, huelen el miedo, la ira y la incertidumbre del rival; están ávidos de comenzar, aunque no saben por qué, solo saben que deben llegar frente al otro, porque el otro es una amenaza, su instinto animal se los dice. Al final hay sangre derramada, tierra revuelta y muerte, una muerte que algunas veces acaba en la basura. Así acaba la vida de un gallo de pelea, mientras su dueño busca más, para seguir intentando sacar tajada a expensas de un ser vivo.

Las peleas de gallo son una tradición que existe en muchos países desde hace más de 300 años, pero que, como debería ser en todo el mundo, ha sido prohibida ya en varias regiones del mundo por la violencia y el maltrato animal que significa.

Esta tradición implica muchos niveles de maltrato hacia estos animales desde su nacimiento; los gallos jóvenes considerados “inferiores” por su poco desde de pelea son asesinados y desechados; los que son vistos como aptos para ponerlos en combate, son atadas casi toda su vida de una pata y encerrados en pequeñas jaulas de las que solo salen cuando tienen que ir a un palenque, y a las cuales probablemente no regresarán.

Los gallos de pelea, además, pueden ser mutilados por diversas razones: se les quita la cresta y barbilla para evitar que los gallos contrincantes los agarren, algo que causa que no sean capaces de regular su temperatura correctamente, porque estas partes de su cuerpo son las que los ayudan a “enfriarse”, al no tener glándulas sudoríparas. Además, algunos galleros deciden cortar los espolones naturales de estas aves, para colocarles después armas que pueden resultar más mortíferas en una pelea.

Pero los problemas de esta tradición no solo se quedan en el maltrato que sufren los gallos; puede existir un problema de salud causado por la sangre de estas aves que se derrama en los palenques durante una pelea. Ya existen casos de gripe aviar relacionados con las peleas de gallo, ya que los dueños de estos no utilizan guantes o equipo de protección al tomar a sus animales heridos y muertos, lo que causa que entren en contacto directo con virus potencialmente graves.

En México solo se ha legalizado sobre estas en tres entidades: Veracruz, Sonora y la Ciudad de México, pero aún hace falta trabajar mucho para que estos eventos crueles hacia los gallos terminen y se legisle para que sean prohibidas en todo el territorio nacional.

Existe una canción mexicana llamada “Pelea de Gallos”, cuya letra resulta bastante irónica: “Van llegando los valientes, con su gallo copetón, y lo traen bajo el brazo (…) pa’ jugarse hasta la vida…”. ¿En serio podemos seguir llamando “valientes” a personas que lo único que hacen es aventar a un animal asustado a matarse frente a otro de su misma especie, solo por el gusto de ganar dinero? Juzguen ustedes…

Imaginen la escena: rodeados de personas que quieren verlos morir; sangrando tan profusamente que ya no es posible respirar porque el líquido rojo llena sus pulmones; aún vivos gracias a la adrenalina que corre a tope por sus venas; aturdidos por un ruido ensordecedor que solo causa que el miedo y la sensación de agonía se eleven a niveles insoportables. Y entonces la ven, una oportunidad de escapar, de alejarse del dolor, de vivir, y solo se necesita un salto…

Esto es lo que la tarde/noche del 29 de enero del 2006 debió haber sentido el toro de lidia llamado “Pajarito”, cuyo salto a las gradas de la Plaza de Toros México, la más grande del mundo, recorrió las noticias de varios países por la espectacularidad de ver a un animal de 500 kilos sobrepasar el tendido y llegar varios metros más adelante a los asientos en donde el público se encontraba en ese momento.
“Un toro bravo, valiente”, decían algunos. La realidad es que solo se trataba de un animal asustado, según varios estudios que se realizaron al cuerpo del animal, el cual seguramente no entendía por qué sentía tanto dolor y solo quería huir de la masacre.

Porque, muy aparte de lo que los aficionados a la “tauromaquia” puedan decir, se trata simplemente de una masacre a un ser vivo, que vive su vida esperando aformar parte de una “fiesta” en la que la gente es feliz viendo como tasajean a un ser vivo hasta morir. Un ser vivo que no quiere estar ahí, y que no es “valiente” ni “arrojado”, solo tiene miedo, y quiere vivir, como cualquiera haría en esa situación.
Mucho se habla también sobre la importancia de un “acto cultural” como se le ha llamado a la “fiesta brava”; un acto cultural como lo era el circo romano, o apedrear mujeres que rompen con los cánones morales de ciertas sociedades, o la venta de personas de raza negra que servían como esclavos y algunas veces como divertimento de algunos terratenientes en Estados Unidos.

Cualquier acto cultural que contravenga la responsabilidad que una sociedad moderna debe tener hacia los seres vivos, debe parar, y las corridas de toros no son una excepción. Está demostrado que el toro de lidia es una especie no agresiva, que solo responde cuando se siente amenazado, o en peligro de muerte. ¿Hay alguna muestra más clara de esto que ver a un ser vivo perforado, sangrando en medio de una plaza, con gente feliz a su alrededor?

Estos actos de barbarie no son propios de una sociedad inmersa en los cambios del siglo XXI, una que busca cambiar la forma en la que nos comportamos entre nosotros y nuestro entorno. Por ello, las corridas de toros deben parar, no son cultura, ni arte, ni fiesta. ¡BASTA YA!

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.