Vegetarian Ecofeminism: A Review Essay

Abstract

Although roots of ecofeminism can be located in work of women gardeners, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental writers, botanists, scientists, animal welfare activists, and abolitionists over past two centuries, ecofeminism's first articulation in 1980s was shaped by convergence of peace, antinuclear, and feminist movements. In past two decades ecofeminism has developed so rapidly that time for a broad review of it has already passed; even recent taxonomies do not adequately describe its internal variations. For these reasons, I have chosen to trace branch of ecofeminism that has been subject of most disagreement by feminists, ecofeminists, and environmentalists and is least understood. This misunderstanding (and subsequent misrepresentation) of vegetarian ecofeminism must be addressed, I will argue, because this branch of ecofeminism is logical outgrowth of both feminism and ecofeminism. For if ecofeminism can be seen as offspring of feminism, then vegetarian ecofeminism is surely feminism's third generation. Since its inception ecofeminism has had a contentious relationship with idea of animal liberation. While some ecofeminists have remained silent on topic of animals, others have emphasized oppression of nonhuman animals (speciesism) as implicit within an ecofeminist analysis, arguing that speciesism functions like and is inherently linked to racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and naturism. Outside of ecofeminism some feminists have been particularly vocal in their opposition to giving equal moral consideration to interests or rights of nonhuman animals. To vegetarian ecofeminists such opposition runs counter to fundamental aims of feminism. As Lynda Birke explains, One of strengths of feminist thought is that it is never 'just' about women: it is a critical discourse that tends to ask uncomfortable questions about everything.' Vegetarian ecofeminism puts into action feminist insight that the personal is and examines political contexts of dietary choices as well as strategic and operational choices in science and economics. What prevents some feminists and ecofeminists from politicizing