Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves

Why Animals Matter for Pandemics, Climate Change, and Other Catastrophes

By: Jeff Sebo

Narrated by: Andrew J. Andersen

In 2020, COVID-19, the Australia bushfires, and other global threats served as vivid reminders that human and nonhuman fates are increasingly linked. Human use of nonhuman animals contributes to pandemics, climate change, and other global threats which, in turn, contribute to biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and nonhuman suffering.

Jeff Sebo argues that humans have a moral responsibility to include animals in global health and environmental policy. In particular, we should reduce our use of animals as part of our pandemic and climate change mitigation efforts and increase our support for animals as part of our adaptation efforts. Applying and extending frameworks such as One Health and the Green New Deal, Sebo calls for reducing support for factory farming, deforestation, and the wildlife trade; increasing support for humane, healthful, and sustainable alternatives; and considering human and nonhuman needs holistically. Sebo also considers connections with practical issues such as education, employment, social services, and infrastructure, as well as with theoretical issues such as well-being, moral status, political status, and population ethics.

©2022 Oxford University Press (P)2022 Tantor

Required listening for policymakers, animal advocates

Sebo provides a compelling case that, despite inherent difficulties, policymakers must now incorporate a concern for animals alongside a concern for humans. Sebo thoroughly describes the philosophical and empirical questions that are raised when we attempt to do so, carefully walking the reader through how different answers to these questions may recommend drastically different policies. Nevertheless, Sebo argues that, even if we cannot resolve all of these questions now, there are still crucial steps we can take now to ensure that future environmental and health policy appropriately incorporates a concern for animals.

Essential reading for anyone who wants to help all of the sentient beings on Earth—human and nonhuman—in the most effective way possible. It is philosophically rich while being firmly grounded in reality. Despite the often bleak subject material, it is inspiring and often times funny, drawing both on real world events and amusing philosophical thought experiments. It was also read well by Andrew J. Andersen. Highly recommended.