Book and Video Donations
Thanks to the generous donation of an Earthsave member, Earthsave Canada donated close to 200 videos and books to schools and libraries in British Columbia in 1996/97. As a non-profit educational organization, our aim in distributing these videos is to allow more people in British Columbia easier access to information about food production and plant-based diets so that they can make informed decisions about their own food choices. A recent Canada-wide study showed that more and more Canadians are introducing meatless meals into their regular diets. The more information out there for people with questions, the better.
The following article about our video donations was published in the Vancouver area newspaper, The Province on Monday, April 7, 1997 Earthsave on a Mission: Its Vegetarian Message in Libraries, Schoolsby Leslie Gillett, Greenspace Columnist Whether it's to start a lively discussion with a meat-eating friend or just to get more info on why so many people are buying vegetarian cookbooks these days, jog over to your nearest library. Earthsave Canada, a non-profit organization promoting a plant-based diet, has recently donated copies of three videos to libraries, schools and video stores around the Lower Mainland. Earthsave is unabashedly on a mission to spread the word about the benefits of a plant-based diet on health, the environment as well as for "a more compassionate world." "We show how an animal-based diet, and the factory farming which underlies it, causes enormous depletion and pollution of the natural world, suffering for the animals, and danger to our own health," says the EarthSaver Newsletter. Diet for a New America: Your Health, Your Planet is a video hosted by John Robbins, the ice-cream company heir who rocked the boat a few years ago when he wrote a best-selling book of the same name. His documentary takes a look inside the food production system and at our dependence on animals for food. The book was fairly graphic-lots of pictures of sad-looking baby cows being confined in veal crates and rows and rows of cages stuffed with tranquilized chickens-so be prepared. Food Without Fear is an award-winning film that looks at all the vital issues surrounding vegetarianism, including the way animals are reared; the effect meat has on our health, the environment and the Third World. Devour the Earth is narrated by one of today's most famous vegetarians, Paul McCartney. The video explores the relationship between our diet and environmental sustainability. Most public library systems as well as most local university and college libraries have the video. And VideoMatica, 1855 West Fourth Ave. in Vancouver, has them on the free rental shelf. |
A Summary of the Donated Videos
Diet for a New America: Your Health Your Planet
This documentary video is hosted by author John Robbins and is an extraordinary look inside our food production system and at our dependence on animals for food. With ten years worth of investigation, John reveals the impact of this animal-based diet on our personal health and the health of the planet. It is a powerful yet respectful account of the inhumane and unhealthy conditions under which food animals are currently raised and it reveals the astounding environmental and economic price we unknowingly pay for our food.
Food without Fear
This award winning film looks at all the vital issues surrounding vegetarianism including the way animals are reared; the effect meat has on our health, the environment and the Third World; and where vegetarians can obtain all the nutrients they need. Although there are a few scenes of modern farm practices which some may be sensitive to, over-all, this video presents an entertaining and thought provoking look at its subject matter.
Devour the Earth
Narrated by one of today's most famous vegetarians, Paul McCartney, this video explores the relationship between our diet and environmental sustainability. Rainforest destruction, global warming and water pollution are just three of the environmental impacts linked to meat production in this powerful film.
Schools and Libraries Where You Can Find Copies
Earthsave Canada has donated copies of these videos to these library systems, schools, and video stores.
| Public Libraries |
| Vancouver Public Library System Covers 20 different branches |
| Fraser Valley Regional Library System Covers: Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Boston Bar, Brookswood, Chilliwack, Clearbrook, Fort Langley, Hope, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Mt. Lehman, North Delta, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, South Delta, Walnut Grove, White Rock, Yale and Yarrow |
| Burnaby Public Library System Covers 4 different branches |
| Surrey Public Library System Covers 7 different branches. |
| New Westminster Public Library 716 - 6th Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3M 2B3 |
| North Vancouver District Library System Covers 3 different branches |
| North Vancouver City Library 121 W.14th Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 1P2 Tel: (604) 980-0581 |
| Port Moody Public Library 240 Ioco, Port Moody, BC, V3H 3E1 Tel: (604) 469-4575 |
These libraries and library systems in British Columbia have a copy of the documentary video Diet for a New America: Your Health Your Planet
Elementary and Secondary Schools with Videos
Earthsave Canada is often asked to speak to classrooms about the environmental and ethical aspects of a vegetarian diet. After our presentations we leave behind copies of these videos plus a copy of the book A Teen's Guide to Going Vegetarian by Judy Krizmanic for their libraries. If you are a teacher or student and are interested in having us speak in your classroom please contact our office.
We visited the following schools over the past few years:
Barriere Secondary School |
Lord Roberts Elementary |