Letters: Animal meat ban, library month, Deam wilderness expansion, early voting parking

It's time to ban all animal meat trade

Congratulations to South Korea for finally joining western civilization in banning dog meat trade. When will we be taking the next civilized step of banning all animal meat trade? Whatever makes dogs more deserving of life and liberty than cows and pigs?

But there is more.

According to the United Nations, meat and dairy use 83% of global farmland and account for 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. Last, but not least, the current Netflix hit series "You Are What You Eat" should convince any doubters that getting more civilized is actually good for our health.

Our local supermarket has responded by treating us to a rich selection of nutritious, convenient, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, plant-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice creams. Now, that's civilized.

Bruce Hicks, Bloomington

February is Love Your Library Month

When someone says the word “library” do you think of rows and rows of books? An open book in your hand? Dropping your kids off at the library? Asking a librarian to help you find information?

Our public library is a place that is free and welcoming to everyone. Its books, programming, special spaces for kids and teenagers, and access to all kinds of media and technology enrich our entire community. We are fortunate in Monroe County to have three wonderful library branches: in downtown Bloomington, Ellettsville and the new southwest branch.

Since February is Love Your Library Month let’s celebrate our libraries! Next time you visit a branch, thank a librarian, browse the books, visit the Friends of the Library bookstore, become a Friends member, or donate books for the Friends' book sales. Our public libraries are there for us: Let’s be there for them. See you at the library!

Patsy Rahn, president of Friends of the Monroe County Public Library board

Legislation to expand Deam wilderness seen as a 'win-win'

The recent editorial, “Expanding Deam wilderness will further imperil native species,” accurately notes declines in tree diversity in south-central Indiana from forest fragmentation, mismanagement and failing oak regeneration. Certain species dependent on hardwood forest habitat are in decline.

Many factors interact to influence tree regeneration and forest biodiversity. But the single greatest threat to biodiversity, more broadly — climate disruption ― is not considered. Climate disruption is the most important force driving biodiversity losses here and throughout North America because it is rapidly altering every habitat involved in supporting native species.

Expansion of wilderness areas, as proposed in S. 2990, protects forests from further fragmentation and misuse and increases ecological resilience, broadly.

In south-central Indiana, the conservation and expansion of hardwood forests provided by this legislation will pay dividends for biodiversity that will far outweigh the benefits of species-specific forest management strategies focused on a small number of game species. In addition, the protection and expansion of hardwood forests provides important climate mitigation benefits through their capacity to store carbon long-term, and many other ecological services that derive from federally protected forest lands.

Viewed through a wider lens, I see this legislation as a win-win for biodiversity and for climate.

Jeff White, Bloomington

Potential early voting locations with parking

Why doesn’t the city (Bloomington) move early voting to a place with plenty of parking? Maybe the old Macy's store or the Lucky’s building.

Mark Wood, Bloomington