Jordi Casamitjana: The Ethical Vegan – #309

This week sees the start of COP26 in Glasgow, a summit that brings the world together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. To mark the occasion we decided to record a special series of the SuperCreativity podcast that will focus on sustainability and climate change. For this series I'll be joined by a co-host for the first time, Ethical Futurist, lawyer, engineer, actor, jazz singer, and sustainability keynote speaker Alison Burns. Together we'll be having conversations with leading thinkers on topics as diverse as sustainable food, fashion, and ESG, those environmental, societal, and governance issues that affect business today.   Our guest this week is originally from Catalonia but is now a resident in the UK. Jordi Casamitjana is a vegan zoologist specializing in animal behavior, who has been involved in different aspects of animal protection for many years (working for organizations such as The Born Free Foundation, Wild Futures, The League Against Cruel Sports, CAS International, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and PETA UK). In addition to scientific research, he has worked as an undercover investigator and animal welfare consultant. Some of his professional achievements include the closure of several zoos, securing the first successful prosecutions of illegal hunters under the Hunting Act 2004, and his participation in the banning of bullfighting in Catalonia. Jordi, who has been vegan since 2002, recently become well-known for securing the legal protection of all ethical vegans from discrimination in Great Britain in a landmark legal case that was discussed all over the world. Jordi is also an author of a novel titled "The Demon's Trial" under the pen name J.C. Costa in which he explores many of the dilemmas animal protectionists face. He is also the author of Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey To Change The World. In our interview, we discuss the future of plant-based foods, sustainable diets, and Jordi's love of wasps! Enjoy the show.