In this landmark book, author Paul G. Irwin goes beyond the headlines to present a compelling and alarming look at what we have done--and continue to do--to wildlife, to farm animals, to our environment, and to ourselves. Losing Paradise first examines the beliefs that lie at the core of our destructive and brutal actions--beliefs that place humans above and against nature in general, and animals in particular. It then details the results of these distorted values, including the cruel treatment of animals through factory farming, hunting, and trapping; the contamination of our food supply; and the destruction of our environment. But while Losing Paradise shows the damage we have done, it also shows the simple and effective steps that we can and must take to build a truly humane society and reclaim our wondrous natural world. Most important, it reminds us of the paradise this earth can be--for us and for all of God’s creatures.

Paul G. Irwin is the president and chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The author also serves as president of the World Society for the Protection of Animals headquartered in London, England, EarthVoice, the Center for Respect of Life and the Environment, the International Center for Earth Concerns, and Humane Society International.

Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF ANIMALS
1. Loving Animals for Their Own Sake

PART II THE THREAT TO OUR CIVILIZATION
2. Are We Killing Our Planet?
3. The Demise of American Agriculture

PART III OUR INHUMANE SOCIETY
4. Hunting--Sport or Slaughter
5. Trapping--Legalized Torture of Animals
6. Species Extinction and the Threat to Humanity
7. Sustainable Use or Unsustainable Slaughter?

PART IV HOW WE CAN SAVE THE ANIMALS AND OURSELVES
8. Towards a Humane Society Notes About the Author

Index

Introduction

As we begin the twenty-first century and the new millennium, one of the major issues facing America and the world is the place and plight of animals. For the creatures of the planet, the next century could be the best of times or the worst of times. The choice is ours. After the Great Flood, the Lord spoke to Noah about the birds, the fish, and "all that moveth upon the earth." "Into your hand they are delivered," said the Lord.

We must understand that the decisions we make in the next few decades will determine the fate not only of the world’s animals, but probably of humans as well. And our past actions do not bode well for our future.

As the second millennium passed into history, it left behind a natural world reduced to a fraction of its former extent and beauty. The last few decades of the past century saw an unprecedented and unsustainable destruction of nature and wildlife by humans throughout the world. As the cartoon character Pogo said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

As environmental problems grow, overlap, and coalesce, we are facing a tidal wave of ecological challenges that undermine the natural world as we know it, and drown our efforts to save what we can. This tsunami threatens to sweep away what progress we so painfully achieved little by little during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

If we do not change our ways early in the third millennium, we will surely destroy much of those natural resources, systems, and treasures that make our lives enjoyable, worthwhile, and indeed possible. In fact, the fundamental challenge facing humanity at this time is the need to build a truly humane society. Such a concept includes respecting and caring for the lives of the other creatures with which we share this planet; taking into consideration the needs of future generations; and operating on principles of sustainability and concern for the natural environment.

At The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the group that I am honored to serve as president, we long ago realized that we could not fulfill our mission of protecting wildlife and other animals without also preserving the habitat essential to their survival. And that habitat--our planet earth--is now in jeopardy.

That is why The HSUS, operating internationally as Humane Society International (HSI) and EarthVoice, is working so hard to protect and save the ecosystems, forests, and other natural areas that are essential to the maintenance of a healthy planet. Save them we must if our own future is not to be lost along with the earth’s natural biological systems.

That is also why we at The HSUS, as our name implies, are about the task of creating a humane society. While we are not so presumptuous as to think that we, by ourselves, will actualize this vision, we do believe that we, working with other dedicated citizens and groups, can be an important catalyst in mobilizing the citizenry of the globe in this noble effort.

And we are presumptuous enough to think that someday we can attain the reality of a truly humane society, and thereby provide the framework for a survivable planetary community that will protect, and not squander, the priceless natural heritage we have been given. It is simply inconceivable that, given what we know today, we would allow the destruction of critical biological systems that make life on earth possible.

Some of the tenets that lie at the center of our vision include sustainability, justice, compassion, and respect for those at our mercy. Although animals will be the direct beneficiaries, we will all gain from this effort. For it is increasingly clear that the world will not be safe for any of creation, including the human species, unless it is made safe for all of creation, especially those that lack power and influence. To strive to save our own species and those we find useful and appealing, while disregarding the fate of other life forms, is simply not a viable option in our interconnected world. For the passengers of Spaceship Earth, the natural environment, with its myriad creatures, is a "mission critical" system.

The conservation of our natural resources is thus the overriding issue of our times, but it must be a compassionate conservation, one that is inextricably linked to the humane treatment of all animals--including, of course, people. If we can build a truly humane society, tremendous improvements can be made in the lives of humans and animals. The development of such a society should be a priority for anyone who cares about the fate of the planet, and the well-being of animals, nature, and future generations of humans.

This book discusses the destruction of our wildlife and natural environment; and the cruel abuse of animals--literally by the hundreds of millions every year--by hunters, trappers, ivory and fur industries, and other traffickers in wildlife and their products. Most important, the book then provides suggestions for building a humane society. Not the animals only, but the planet itself is now in our hands. Let us make the right choice.

Reviews

"This book will spark discussion and broaden awareness of just how interconnected humans are with their environment. Recommended."

--Library Journal

 

"It is a warning of the inevitability of an impending catastrophe ..."

"This is scary stuff, but it’s equally crucial to be able to face it and take action ... The author offers hope for concerned citizens."

--NAPRA ReView

 

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