Towards Invertebrate Justice

In this, final, chapter I outline a series of approaches that can be employed to realise invertebrate justice. I argue that both individual level and system level changes are required. We need to implement strategies that will improve people’s general knowledge of, and attitudes towards, invertebrates, highlighting a key role for education and the development of invertebrate friendly approaches to the way people manage their homes, gardens, and lifestyles. These changes should be viewed as part of a wider social and cultural transformation in our appreciation of invertebrate life. Although individual and social changes are important, they will not be enough. It is essential that we work towards policy and legal changes that advance the rights of sentient invertebrates. The more widescale inclusion of invertebrates in national animal welfare laws will be an important first step in, ultimately, building towards the recognition of fundamental rights for all sentient animals, including sentient invertebrates. I conclude by considering a number of other cross-cutting changes that, although not directly focused on invertebrates, would serve to advance the cause of invertebrate justice. These include a transformation of the global food system towards plant-based diets and pesticide free agricultural practices, and reforms to political processes to limit the influence of global corporations and create fairer and more democratic societies. Although the full realisation of invertebrate justice may not be achieved in the near future, there is ample scope to make changes that will improve outcomes for invertebrates, humans, and the environment.