[The Hwankyung Ilbo] A place has been set up to change the reality of livestock animals during the climate crisis and to seek changes in laws and systems surrounding the livestock industry and meat eating.

On the 10th, the Seoul Basic Income Party's Animal Rights Committee and Rep. Yong Hye-in held a National Assembly debate under the theme of "Speaking Livestock Animals in the Era of Climate Crisis." It is the first time that a National Assembly debate has been held on the subject.

Hong Soon-young, executive chairman of the Animal Rights Commission of the Seoul Basic Income Party, Cho Gil-ye, CEO of the Climate Action Vegan Network, Kim Young-hwan, a planner of the Animal Law Comparative Research Society, Han Seung-hee campaigner, and DxE Islandary activist were among the panelists.

Shin Ji-hye, standing representative of the Basic Income Party, said, "Although the climate crisis and livestock industry are closely related, there has been a lack of discussions on the lifestyle and changes in the livestock industry to live a sustainable future without extinction." 

"I witnessed the reality of livestock animals in the era of climate crisis when I saw cows on the roof last year due to heavy rain," said Rep. Yong Hye-in, who co-hosted the forum. "I felt desperate to look back on how humans have lived and how they are living now."

Referring to the newly released IPCC report, the climate disaster Maginot line has been moved up 10 years. "We hope that the National Assembly-level discussions for the coexistence of humans and animals and sustainable earth will become more active, starting with a forum that examines the status of livestock systems and looks into the situation of animals in the system."

Hong Soon-young, executive chairman of the Seoul Basic Income Party, who was in charge of the presentation, announced the current status of domestic and foreign livestock systems and the reality of animals in the livestock system.

Hong said, "We should be courageous in promoting the factory-style livestock industry, critically evaluating the past policies that have solved problems derived from livestock by investing huge taxes, and in converting livestock farms into sustainable agriculture, meat reduction, and animal rights guarantees." 

Cho Gil-ye, CEO of the Climate Action Vegan Network, presented the impact of the livestock industry on the climate crisis.

"In the single industry sector, the livestock industry emits the most greenhouse gases," Cho said. "It is time for a bold food conversion."

Cho introduced plans for meat reduction targets in Europe, China and New York, scientists' demands for livestock subsidies and meat taxes.

Kim Young-hwan, a planner of the Animal Law Comparative Research Association, issued a report on the location of livestock animals under the Korean Animal Law, claiming that "the current law would change the carnivorous society by conducting in-depth investigation and disclosure of livestock protection, supervision and punishment regulations." 

Han Seung-hee, a debater at Animal Liberation Wave, said, "As in the case of overseas, we will actively launch a movement to transform a meat-based society into a meat-based-vegetable society, and to show that livestock animals live freely as beings who feel completely."

Direct action DxE Islandari activist introduced institutional achievements such as the movement of animal rights grassroots organizations around the world, and Berkeley's plan to reduce animal products.

"When animal rights activists achieve symbolic results, they need strong power to bring them to institutional performance and to bring them to national political agendas," he said, referring to the need for politics that actively represents animals.

The forum was held online through the Zoom online conference hall and the "Yong Hye-in per basic income" YouTube channel. The online forum was attended by about 100 visitors interested in the climate crisis and animal rights.