I re-read the first Harry Potter book recently, and it’s pretty different reading it as an adult. Many people get upset that the school is so reckless letting children run around fighting some of the most powerful wizards in the world, but I can let that go because without it the story wouldn’t happen, and the target audience – people Harry’s age – identify with Harry and can dream of accomplishing the types of things that he does.
However, between reading Harry Potter as a teenager and young adult, and reading Harry Potter now, I have become more aware of things like climate change and animal welfare, and there are some real animal welfare, and by extension sustainability, problems in the wizarding world.
- A lot of animal parts are used in potions. I believe animal parts from rare animals are highly prized.
- Many meals are extremely meat-heavy.
- Most students have pets. The majority of these pets are wild animals.
- Owls run the mail system, and don’t seem to be doing it of their own free will.
- Live bats are used for decoration.
- Christmas crackers have mice in them.
- A giant three-headed dog is kept in an indoor corridor for months without ever going outside!
