Reasons for Hope: What went right for animals in 2022
Caring for other animals can easily become a mainstream concern for all humans. Look into their eyes and you'll see how they're feeling and what they're trying to tell us.
MARC BEKOFF: Being deeply concerned about protecting the lives and interests of other animals—the belief that each individual has the right to live the best life possible and wants to do so—is the right thing to do and not a radical animal rights position. Indeed, just look to what solid research tells us. An ever-growing database in animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and cognitive ethology—the study of animal intelligence, emotions, consciousness, and sentience—provides numerous reasons for respecting and protecting the lives of other animals…
The bottom line is simple: Look into the eyes of other animals including household companions and you’ll see how they’re feeling and what they’re trying to tell us. Caring for other animals can easily become a mainstream concern for all humans. It doesn’t make someone a radical and as a result, other animals, and we ourselves, can benefit from more universal empathy, kindness, respect, and compassion…
It’s far too easy to focus on the downside of animal well-being and many people are tired of hearing all the bad things—there are many — but, as it turns out, there were many victories for other animals during the past year. This is not to say that much more can’t be done — there is and we need look way beyond ourselves — but let’s look at some of what happened and why there are reasons for hope… These are but a few of many 2022 successes,… in addition to those offered by Jane Goodall in her book Reason for Hope… The list is long but can easily be longer in the future…
There’s no downside to recognizing that animal sentience matters to numerous and diverse nonhumans and that it also should matter to us. What a great way to welcome in 2023 and the years ahead, what an easy way to deal with internal conflicts between what we feel and what we do, and what a wonderful model for future generations to follow. It’s a win-win for all. SOURCE…
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