'Cowspiracy' doc examines large-scale factory farming

Carlee Wright | Statesman Journal

"Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" will be shown 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Historic Grand Theatre as part of the Salem Progressive Film Series.

This feature-length documentary by filmmakers Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn focuses on the planetary impact of large-scale factory farming and offers a solution to global sustainability for our growing population. As the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, animal agriculture is a growing concern for our environment. It is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry. It contributes to rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss and topsoil erosion. But the issue is rarely challenged.

After the film, guest speakers Stephanie Feldstein and Kerri Zemko will take questions to encourage audience discussion.

Feldstein is the Population and Sustainability Director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Her work focuses on addressing threats to endangered species and wild places from overconsumption and excessive human-population growth. She launched the Take Extinction Off Your Plate campaign, which encourages people to shrink their environmental footprints by eating less meat, in 2014. Feldstein previously worked for Change.org, assisting people to start and win online campaigns to protect animals and the environment.

Zemko is a registered nurse and certified instructor of the Food for Life Program (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) and Food Over Medicine (Wellness Forum Healthcare). Her interests in healthy living, natural medicine and environmental issues drive her commitment in assisting sick people to get well. She offers private health consulting plus group nutrition and cooking classes.

A number of local organizations including Center for Biodiversity, Cherry City Vegans, Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, 350.org, Vital Veg and Food for Life Cancer Project also will be offering information at the event.

The Salem Progressive Film Series aims to educate and raise awareness about current important issues in our community and around the world, provide a public forum for discussion and further research and stimulate personal civic involvement.

Email cwright2@StatesmanJournal.com, call (503) 399-6671, or follow on Twitter @CarleeWrightSJ

'Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret'

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15; doors will open at 6:15 p.m., and the film will begin at 7 p.m.

Where: Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St. NE

Cost: Tickets are $5

For information: Call (503) 881-5305 or go to salemprogressivefilms.net