Being Jain And Living Green - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Being Jain And Living Green" by Arvind Bobra and Amit Jain, based on the provided pages:

This presentation, delivered at the Young Jains of America 8th Biennial Convention in Chicago in 2008, focuses on the intersection of Jain principles with environmental consciousness, specifically advocating for "Living Green." The core message revolves around two key Jain principles: Vegetarianism and Non-Possessiveness.

The Interconnectedness of Life (Parasparopagraho Jivanam):

The presentation begins by highlighting a fundamental Jain tenet, "Parasparopagraho Jivanam," which translates to "All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence." This ancient wisdom is presented as remarkably contemporary, mirroring modern ecological science. Lord Mahavir's teachings are cited, emphasizing that harm to one living being is harm to all, and that greed and possessiveness are the root causes of violence and environmental imbalance. This concept is echoed by Albert Einstein, who stated that a vegetarian diet would significantly benefit human health and the survival of life on Earth.

The Environmental Impact of Non-Vegetarianism:

A significant portion of the presentation is dedicated to illustrating the detrimental effects of non-vegetarianism on the environment, supported by various statistics and reports:

Global Warming: A 2006 United Nations report is cited, stating that animal products contribute more to global warming than all land vehicles, ships, and airplanes combined.
Inefficiency and Resource Misuse: Meat production is depicted as highly uneconomical and inefficient, leading to:
- Misuse of Grain: A substantial amount of grain grown, particularly in developed countries, is fed to livestock for meat production, while millions globally suffer from hunger. Reducing meat production by even 10% could release enough grain to feed 60 million people.
- Misuse of Water: Producing one pound of beef requires approximately 2,500 gallons of water, and 80% of water usage in some nations is attributed to livestock production. A single quarter-pounder requires more water than a human drinks in four years.
- Misuse of Land: The livestock sector is the largest user of land, accounting for 70% of agricultural land and 30% of the planet's land surface. A significant portion of the Amazon rainforest is used for cattle pasture, and livestock production is a major contributor to topsoil destruction.
- Misuse of Fossil Fuels and Electricity: These are implicitly consumed in large quantities for animal agriculture.
World Hunger: The meat industry's demands exacerbate deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation, ultimately contributing to global hunger.
Water Pollution: Meat production is identified as a leading cause of pollution. A single steer produces a massive amount of manure daily, contributing to water contamination with organic waste, pesticides, antibiotics, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Atmospheric Pollution: The livestock sector is a major contributor to global warming, emitting significant amounts of CO2, methane (which has a much higher global warming potential than CO2), and nitrous oxide. It also releases ammonia, contributing to acid rain.
Nutritional Inefficiency: A pound of meat provides less energy and nutrition compared to a pound of vegetable-based food.
Carbon Footprint: A typical American meat-eater generates significantly more carbon dioxide annually than a vegan.

The Effects of Possessiveness and Consumerism:

The presentation then shifts to the principle of Non-Possessiveness, also known as Aparigraha, as a core Jain value that extends beyond food choices to encompass all aspects of life.

Possessiveness as Violence: The text argues that possessiveness is inherently violent because all possessions have an impact on the world, from cars and furniture to electronics.
Interconnectivity and Consumerism: The core message here is that excessive consumption (consumerism) is unsustainable and leads to environmental imbalance due to the interconnectedness of all life.
Lord Mahavir's Teachings on Possessiveness: Lord Mahavir defined possessiveness as "attachment" and stated that the "primary cause of all violence as well as imbalance in the environment" stems from possession and possessiveness. Articles truly needed for life do not constitute possessiveness.
Gandhi's Wisdom: Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of "Live simply so others may simply live" is presented as a distillation of non-possessiveness, emphasizing respect for other lives and the environment.

"The Story of Stuff" - A Critique of Modern Consumption:

The presentation draws heavily on the concept of "The Story of Stuff" to illustrate the consequences of unchecked consumption:

Overconsumption: Humanity is consuming resources too quickly and with disregard for the environment. In the past 30 years, one-third of natural resource space has been depleted.
US Consumption: The United States, with only 5% of the world's population, consumes 30% of global resources and generates 30% of global waste. If everyone consumed at this rate, 3-5 planets would be needed.
Exploitation: To fuel this consumption, resources are exploited globally, particularly in developing nations. This leads to the depletion of fisheries and forests, and the use of harmful synthetic chemicals that bioaccumulate in the food chain.
Exploitation of People: Factory workers in developing countries are often exploited, forced to work in harsh conditions to produce cheap goods. This erodes local economies and their environments.
Pollution: Industrial production generates vast amounts of toxic chemicals, polluting air, land, and water.
Economic Drivers of Consumption: The economy is built on consumption, equating personal value with the amount one consumes. Concepts like "planned obsolescence" and "perceived obsolescence," driven by advertising, encourage continuous purchasing.
Disposal of Waste: The vast amount of garbage generated pollutes the environment, and even recycling has limitations, with a significant portion of waste still ending up in landfills or incinerated, releasing toxins like dioxin.

The Solution:

The presentation concludes with a stark but clear message:

Insignificant Solutions: The authors suggest that many proposed solutions to environmental problems are ultimately insignificant in comparison to the root cause.
The Ultimate Solution: The only true solution presented is Non-Possessiveness.

In essence, "Being Jain And Living Green" argues that the foundational principles of Jainism, particularly Ahimsa (non-violence) as embodied in vegetarianism and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), offer a powerful and relevant framework for addressing the environmental crises of the 21st century. By embracing these principles, individuals can reduce their ecological footprint, contribute to a more sustainable world, and live in greater harmony with all life.