Responsible Consumption and Production in the Anthropocene: Animal Ethics & the Sustainable Development Goals Authors

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call for action to governments, organizations and civil society, a call for addressing the environmental and social problems of the 21st century. However, the 2030 Agenda does not focus on animal ethics as one of the keys to addressing these critical issues. The different ethical approaches to the moral status of non-human animals justify the transition to plant-based diets, not only because of the ecological and geological consequences of animal-product consumption but also in accordance with the principles of justice. This work highlights the consequences of animal-product consumption in the Anthropocene. The human being has become a geological force: The Anthropocene is the new geological epoch triggered by human activity that replaces the Holocene. Its effects have a major impact on biodiversity, deforestation, water resources, climate and health. This paper explores the need to develop a normative criterion for technology use to protect the moral status of non-human animals: technological innovation should be focused on the development of animal source foods alternatives.