Again and again I hear the argument from meat eaters that the "Humans at the top of the food chain". would be. Sometimes it's more of a bad joke - but often it's meant very seriously. So are we really this one, superior apex predator?
In this article, I would like to explain briefly and concisely why, in my opinion, we are not at the top of the food chain.
Why humans are not at the top of the food chain
First of all, we humans are not at the top of a natural food chain. Otherwise we wouldn't be afraid of encountering a lion unarmed. Or in a pool to swim with crocodiles or sharks. At most, a weapon would enable us to subdue these animals. On the other hand, a food chain is a Group of organisms that are dependent on each other in a certain order as food. However, we are not dependent on eating animal body parts. We can eat a purely plant-based diet and do not have to fear any negative health consequences.
Even if we were at the top of the food chain: How could we justify exploiting and killing some 74 billion farm animals every year just to eat their body parts if we don't have to?₁ And why do we humans feel so uncomfortable when we see pictures of these animals in the Factory farming be treated? In any case, this is not exactly the reaction you would expect from a top predator.
Tip: I've written you another separate post about how you can Convince meat eaters best can. Without being pushy, but simply with a dose of logic. My personal recommendation is that the person you are talking to should vegan documentaries should look at.
The food chain is not a logical argument against veganism and for eating meat
So none of us have "fought our way to the top of the food chain" - there simply is no top! But we think we are standing there. And that is one of the main reasons for the biggest man-made environmental problems of our time, like the climate change or the rapid Deforestation of the rainforests.
In the end, however, we are simply part of different food webs that are not dependent on eating meat. But we are dependent on living in a functioning ecosystem. We should not jeopardize our livelihoods with a convenient argument like "we are at the top of the food chain" - just to justify cruel and completely unnecessary acts.
Do you have any questions or your own experiences with the food chain argument that you would like to share? Then please write me a comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: Not yet fully convinced of the benefits of a plant-based diet or veganism? Then be sure to check out my article on the Reasons for veganism an.
References:
₁ Things explained - In a nutshell: Meat - The tastiest evil in the world, YouTube, 24.01.2019, Web, 07.05.2020 at 10:50, in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6f3dwxexZM.
