The question
Even with different goals, do animal advocates and environmentalists end up doing the same things in practice?
Sometimes, yes
It can happen that the same action is good for animals and also good for environmental ideals. For example, some change in an ecosystem could reduce animal suffering and also please environmentalists.
But the standard is different
Imagine you have to choose what kind of plants should grow in a certain place.
- An ethics based on sentience would ask: which option causes the least suffering and the fewest early deaths for animals over time?
- Environmentalism would ask: which option best preserves "original nature," native species, or biodiversity?
Sometimes the two questions have the same answer. Often, they don't.
What this means
People who care about animals shouldn't be guided by environmental standards, thinking those always help animals. They should be guided by standards that look directly at how well or badly the animals will be doing.
In short
- In some cases, the two views can line up in practice.
- But their standards for deciding are different.
- Anyone who wants to help animals should look directly at their well-being.