Pamela Anderson, PETA’s Honorary Director, is wasting no more time when it comes to trying to make a difference in the world. She has made it her mission to contact some of the world’s leaders and urge them to stop cruel practices, make easy changes that will benefit the world, help put an end to animal cruelty, or to applaud them for making steps in the right direction.
I saw a news story pop up earlier this year about Anderson’s letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and to be honest, I had mixed feelings about why she felt the need to reach out to him. Reading the letter sprinkled with words like “sexy” and “sensual,” I got a bad taste in my mouth. I thought it was bordering on inappropriate, as she was integrating her “playgirl” stardom into an animal rights letter.
But as I read on, I realized that she is only using who she is to push veganism. And that’s something I can’t be upset with. Celebrities have a platform where they can speak out to the world and have people listen. Thousands of people go vegan because of their favorite actress, singer or model, and though I might not agree on the reasoning, I don’t disagree on the result.
As time went on I saw more news stories about Anderson writing to world leaders. Thankfully, the others don’t contain racy language. They’re professional, tasteful, and I believe they are important. Here are some snippets of her letters this year.
On December 9th Pamela wrote Michael Martin, the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), pressing him to put an end to hare coursing permanently, citing its “twisted idea of amusement” and its “cruel and reckless nature.” She goes on the plead: “Will you please be the Taoiseach who finally lays cruel hare coursing to rest?”
On December 8th, she wrote to British Colombia’s Premier John Horgan concerning the COVID 19 outbreak on one of their mink fur farms. “I’m writing to ask that you close down fur farms in the province immediately,” she wrote, describing the cruel and filthy state at which the mink are kept. “Minks are warehoused inside filthy, cramped wire cages amid their own waste. These stressed, injured, and often sick animals are so closely packed together that blood, urine, and excrement can easily contaminate adjacent cages. Not only are these conditions extremely cruel to animals, they also create a perfect breeding ground for deadly diseases.”
On December 2nd, Anderson wrote to the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederikson about the COVID 19 outbreak among mink fur farms: “I hope you’ll respond by banning fur farms in Denmark, which would protect public health and spare countless animals miserable lives and violent deaths.”
On November 27th, Anderson urged Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, to serve only vegan food at all government events and meeting. She told Modi that his country was the “easiest place on earth to be vegan,” and emphasized the disastrous consequences that would befall us if we continue to exploit animals and nature. She wrote that “according to the latest reports, 36 million Indians could face the threat of annual coastal flooding by 2050… at least 21 cities in India are approaching zero groundwater levels for next year and that 40% of Indians may not have water to drink by 2030.”
On June 30th, the honorary Director at PETA wrote an edgy letter to Justin Trudeau, praising him for his $100 million investment in plant-based industries. She added, “Were you to drop meat and dairy from your personal diet—which I so hope you will—I would be honored to be your mentor.”
On February 13th, she wrote the Russian President Vladimir Putin, encouraging him to “strengthen further Russia’s historic legacy in the region by supporting protection of the Southern Ocean.” (Note: Putin has a complicated environmental record, by turns criticizing the American disavowal of the Paris Accord, admitting that the climate change is real but that it’s not manmade, while also ordering a reduction of emissions to 30% below 1990 emissions levels by 2030. This is a widely used climate goal across the globe.)
While I have not been able to find whether or not there have been responses from any of the leaders, and while a response would be great, a letter response may not be needed, action is.
Will Anderson’s letters actually have any effect on these leaders decisions? Maybe not. But maybe hers will be the final voice that brings reason. All I know is that change does take time. And every voice helps. I applaud Anderson for speaking up and for being PETA’s spokeswoman for so many years. I hope she continues to reach out to world leaders, calling them on unneeded cruelty or applauding them for steps in the right direction.
Find out more about Anderson’s letters at www.pamelaandersonfoundation.org
Get more like this—Sign up for our daily inspirational newsletter for exclusive content!
__
Photo: Free to Use Sounds, Berger, Laksonenn; Unsplash
