Questions About We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

by Jonathan Safran Foer (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (5)

So... does the author have anything else to say about climate change besides going vegan? Because while I'm sure those who are actually able to make the change probably feel a little better, the fact is that agriculture still only accounts for maybe a fifth of human emissions and the burning of fossil fuels is the more pressing issue.

Rick Hello Megan,
We are all capable of making the change. The question is are we willing to make the change. Are you willing to endure the minor inconvenie…moreHello Megan,
We are all capable of making the change. The question is are we willing to make the change. Are you willing to endure the minor inconvenience of learning to live a vegan lifestyle to ensure a viable planet for future generations? Once you make the commitment, do a little research, and learn to cook differently, it's easy.(less)

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I'm wondering how Safran Foer squares this polemic in favour of veganism with the reality that, even if we all changed our diets, we'd barely make a dent in the impact of fossil fuel production? A vegan breakfast eaten in a brownstone valued at $10.5 million is hardly a) achievable for the vast majority of us, and b) can't in and of itself have a measurable effect on the climate crisis.

Marie Lindstrom It would be way more than a dent. One calorie of animal protein requires about 10 times the input of fossil fuel energy than one calorie of plant prot…moreIt would be way more than a dent. One calorie of animal protein requires about 10 times the input of fossil fuel energy than one calorie of plant protein. For example, about 6 % of all soy produced is consumed by people. The rest by live stock. There are huge savings to be made if we just eat the soy, bypassing the cow. A vegan breakfast is not necessarily more expensive than a meat breakfast, regardless of whether you eat it in a brownstone or elsewhere.(less)

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Why do so many people think everyday citizens changing their life practices will change the problem? The problem is capitalism, where people are just a factorial (means of production), and it's disdain for humanity. Until the wealthy and powerful can find a way to profit from "going green" it won't happen, and no amount of recycling or veganism or conservation on the part of citizens will change anything.

Keith Akers The key to making a revolution is to make reasonable demands which the current capitalist system cannot meet. In practice, while the individual can go…moreThe key to making a revolution is to make reasonable demands which the current capitalist system cannot meet. In practice, while the individual can go vegan, you cannot get the entire country (or world) to go vegan or even close under capitalism. Nor can you end fossil fuels, deal with homelessness, reverse inequality, and do any number of other reasonable things. Yet demanding these things sounds (and is) reasonable. You rally the people around reasonable demands.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Andreas Thaler You are correct, but you should also take supplements for vitamins B12 and D (at least if you eat plant based for a longer time, which is great for yo…moreYou are correct, but you should also take supplements for vitamins B12 and D (at least if you eat plant based for a longer time, which is great for you). Voila, you're set.
By eating plants directly instead of feeding them to animals first, you save between 60% (poultry) and 90% (beef) of the ressources that are needed to produce your food.(less)

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IS geoengineering even addressed in this book? Where I live the farms are disappearing and the ones that are left are using so many chemicals to farm produce. Not too many cows around here, but there are tons of chemtrails in the sky blocking out the sun and producing strange weather. So I wonder if it's addressed in the book. Haven't read the book but want to.

Lara The author barely touches on this at all.

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Who is writing these questions? All of them attempt to negate both the impact of moving to plant based and that making individuals making lifestyles changes can be effective. Does anyone else see that these are not questions?

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