Freedom of Species

This show features animal activist and lawyer Katie Batty on the UN Global Climate Poll and particularly the level of support for a plant-based food system. She argues that half the battle is nearly won when it comes to promoting veganism, with this UN Poll, the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change, finding that 30% of people support the promotion of plant-based diets. This, along with other studies cited below, such as a survey that found 47% of Americans support a ban on slaughterhouses, show significant progress for the vegan movement. However, ongoing barriers to individual veganism remain, such as perceptions around the difficulty, inconvenience and lack of social acceptance of veganism (see the Conversation article by Chris Bryant linked to below for more on these issues).   Links to the articles discussed on the show: 30% of people support the promotion of plant-based diets: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/un-global-climate-poll-peoples-voice-is-clear-they-want-action 47% of Americans support a ban on slaughterhouses: https://www.livekindly.co/half-americans-ban-slaughterhouses/ Article by Chris Bryant on attitudes towards veganism: https://theconversation.com/what-meat-eaters-really-think-about-veganism-new-research-129583  Music Played: Regina Spektor ‘You’ve Got Time’: https://www.reginaspektor.com/ Propagandhi ‘Lower Order (A Good Laugh)’: https://propagandhi.bandcamp.com/ Stella Donnelly ‘Old Man’: https://stelladonnelly.bandcamp.com/

We speak with Dr Chris Hopwood, Professor of Psychology from University of California, Davis. Chris is an excellent and prolific psychology researcher asking the question, “why do people do the things they do?”; with an interest, among others, about why some people eat animals and others are vegetarian or vegan. Chris is also an organiser of the PHAIR Society (Society for the Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations). The “goal of the PHAIR Society is to advance and promote scientific research and education on a wide range of topics related to how people perceive and treat animals, the consumption of plant-based vs. animal-derived products, animal advocacy, and veganism.” PHAIR are currently running a series of research presentations all about these topics, and leading towards the Animal Advocacy Conference: Insights from the Social Sciences in June 30 – July 2, 2021You can watch the PHAIR Society research presentations, and find out more about the Animal Advocacy Conference on the PHAIR website.

Davita and Trev discuss the recent controversies with social media influencers in the animal rights movement, ranging from transphobia, to anti-semitism, and dodgy donations. We discuss all this while trying not to get sued!  Links: For more discussion on social media influencers, look up these pages: The cranky vegan - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTTIQEjQKBylegGc_CP2z1w Animal RIghts Zone - https://www.facebook.com/ARZone.net Christopher Sebastian - https://www.christophersebastian.info  Looking for inspiration to donate? Check out: Animal Charity Evaluators - https://animalcharityevaluators.org - But daily activist acts can be political and effective too!  Other links: International Women's Day March 2021: https://www.facebook.com/events/244734710567381 Info on the Quandamooka Truth Embassy: https://www.facebook.com/northstradbroke Vegan Bill of Consistent Anti-Oppression: http://www.consistentantioppression.com Ken & Karen Saviour Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/kenthesaviour https://www.facebook.com/kARenSavior  Music Played: Kelly Sarena ‘Moving Fast’: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F19qVpiwE1f72eKXpzSup The Beatles ‘Money (That's What I Want)’: https://www.thebeatles.com/album/beatles Tegan & Sara ‘Red Belt’: https://open.spotify.com/album/5jbNeqFGcBfFriyocUaM17

This show includes an interview with Kristy Alger, animal liberationist and author. Kristy's blog Writing Liberation is available on Medium and Kristy spoke with us about her book Five Essays for Freedom: A Political Primer for Animal Advocates. We also introduced Caroline to the Freedom of Species team and discussed activism.  You can read Kristy's blog at: https://writingliberation.medium.com/ She has also written for Farm Transparency Project: https://www.farmtransparency.org/editorials.php?author=kristyalger You can check out her book here: https://www.revolutionaries.com.au/books/p/five-essays-for-freedom  On the show we also discuss the following article: https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/oatly-denied-trademark/

We test our Animal knowledge against each other in an inaugural Freedom of Species Animal Liberation Quiz. Play along while you listen and see how you go.This is our Subscriber Drive show – please subscribe to 3CR and you can support our show specifically by choosing 'Freedom of Species' under 'Program'. We appreciate any subscriptions! https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeQuiz Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

New FoS presenters Davita and Trev discuss the Valentine’s Day Outreach they will be taking part in with Melbourne Cow Save. This action raises awareness about both the animal ethics and human rights issues behind the many common chocolate products typically purchased for Valentine’s Day.  Links: For more information about Melbourne Cow Save events including the upcoming Valentine’s Day event, join the Melbourne Cow Save activist group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/151521708967534 Check out the chocolate listed on The Food Empowerment Project's website for vegan options that are free of child slave labour. This list is also available in their handy mobile app: https://foodispower.org/chocolate-list The article discussed on the show that covered Joe the pigeon: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/15/joe-the-pigeons-life-may-be-spared-after-fake-leg-tag-suggests-hes-not-from-the-us Veguary is a FREE month-long pledge campaign by the Afro Vegan Society ‘encouraging people to commit to vegan living during the month of February. This campaign is purposefully situated in the month of February - Black History Month in the United States - to highlight the contributions of Black trailblazers, and the many benefits of vegan living in our communities’: https://www.afrovegansociety.org/veguary  Music Played: charm ‘postcode’: https://charm.bandcamp.com/ Chokeules ‘40-year-old vegan’: https://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/stay-up Goldfinger ‘Open Your Eyes’: https://www.goldfingermusic.com/music/open-your-eyes-goldfinger/

After a long hiatus from the 3CR studios we are back live! I make the case that 'Thinking With Animals' will help us recognise that the climate crisis is happening NOW and will help identify opportunities to tackle the crisis. Let's try taking an animal perspective when facing the climate crisis!

On this show we discuss cultured (lab-grown) meat and freeganism from an animal liberation perspective. Links: The article we discuss explaining a recent development in cultured meat: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/02/no-kill-lab-grown-meat-to-go-on-sale-for-first-time For more on a vegan perspective on cultured meat: https://www.veganaustralia.org.au/the_ethics_of_cultured_meat Learn about Animal Rebellion and get involved here: https://animalrebellion.org/virtual-village/ Music Played: David McMullen 'Hear the Dogs Howl': http://djmcmusic.com/ Star Fucking Hipsters ‘Dumpster to the Grave’: https://starfuckinghipsters.bandcamp.com/ Counting Backwards ‘Ice’: https://countingbackwards.bandcamp.com/

On this Summer Special, Freedom of Species presenters Nick and Adam bring you some of their favourite political music, covering a wide range of social justice issues.  Songs played:Briggs ft. Thelma Plum ‘Go To War’.A.B. Original ft. Caiti Baker ‘Dead In A Minute’.Sole and DJ Pain 1 ‘Snitch Nation’. Body Count ‘No Lives Matter’.Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar ‘The Silent Majority’.Idles ‘Danny Nedelko’.Bad Cop, Bad Cop ‘Pursuit Of Liberty’.The Billionaires ‘Profits Before People’.Randy Newman ‘Political Science’.Miley Cyrus ‘Golden G String’.Tim Minchin ‘Airport Piano’.Dick Gaughan ‘World Turned Upside Down’.Desaparecidos ‘The Left is Right’.Lowkey ft. Akala and Black The Ripper ‘I Still Believe 2020’. To hear more of Nick’s favourite political music, check out the Spotify playlist ‘Progressive Podcast Australia Music and Comedy’: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6DK5AzWfrxSDcpHWlLsWi6 To hear more of Adam’s favourite political music, check out the Spotify playlist ‘Protest, Revolution and Riot’: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SqsfPty9AzqG3HeJFaWIF

This week we are sharing a recording from a Stream of Solidarity discussion hosted by Animal Rebellion in the UK. The discussion is with Ronnie Lee who has been a vegan and campaigner for animal liberation for almost 50 years. In the early 1970s he was one of the founders of the Animal Liberation Front and served three prison sentences (a total of about 9 years in prison) for animal liberation activism. Since his last release from prison, in 1992, he has been involved in various animal protection campaigns and political activities. His main focus is now on vegan outreach and on the creation of a network of local activist groups to spread the vegan message. You can find a video recording of the stream here.