I admit I haven't heard of Michael Pollan before, but I stumbled on this interview with him about his new book, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma." It's about ethical eating in regards to environmentalism, factory-farming, eating organic and eating locally. He is NOT a vegetarian -- in fact, he hunts for his own meat -- and he believes in "humane slaughter," which I know is anathema to many here. However, the interview was interesting, particularly his comments on buying organic vs. buying locally, and our reliance on petroleum. Link to the interview is here:

LINK (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/04/07/DI2006040700562.html)

Good article :)

I knew that name sounded familiar! Michael Pollen also wrote this (http://www.nehbc.org/pollan1.html) article, which I've had in my favorites folder for quite some time.

Yeah, I heard Michael Pollen on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross this afternoon. His recent book is The Omnivore's Dilemma and his previous book is The Botany of Desire.

Although he is not a vegetarian, he says many things of interest and does advocate eating healthier, avoiding processed foods, eating locally, eating organic and is very revealing about factory farms, industrial agriculture, resource inefficiency.

I wrote down two things he said during the interview:

"Eating is our most profound engagement with the natural world."

"I don't think you can call yourself an environmentalist if you're thoguhtless about your eating."

Some people can and do eat both organic (vegan) *and* local

;)

That would be so nice...

I wish I could eat locally. all we can grow in this craphole is onions and alfalfa.

Some people can and do eat both organic (vegan) *and* local

;)

I generally do. Our co-op's produce section has our supply prioritized by local organic first, organic non-local second, local non-organic third, and non-local non-organic last. Even in the winter we're able to get local organic produce because theres this farmer in the area who has this giant greenhouse where he grows crops indoors in the winter.

Pollan.

Poor guy.

I read his book on natural lawn alternatives, although I don't have a copy of it and I can't remember the title. Good book, but then I like any book that advocates an alternative to the standard American front (or back) yard. He grows a lot of his own produce, IIRC.

Pollan.

Poor guy.

Oops, my mistake. Perhaps a mod can fix the thread title for me.

Too bad no one asked him about the amount of water used in meat production -- I would love to hear what an omni-environmentalist would say to that. No matter what you feed a cow or how your slaughter her the waste of water is always there.