You may not know this (many do not), but eating meat not only sucks for animals, it's also terrible for the planet. Here are some facts about animal agriculture that you may not be aware of:
1. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the exhaust from all combined transportation systems (which is responsible for approx.13%). It is therefore one of the biggest contributors to climate change.
2. Livestock is responsible for 65% of all human-related emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with 296X the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. It stays in the atmosphere for 150 years.
3. US methane emissions from livestock and natural gas are nearly equal.
4. Animal agriculture water consumption ranges from 34-76 trillion gallons annually.
5. Growing feed crops for livestock consumes 56% of water in the US.
6. 2500 gallons of water are needed to product one pound of beef.
7. 5% of water consumed in the US is by private homes. 55% of water consumed in the US is for animal agriculture.
8. Livestock or livestock feed occupies 1/3 of the earth's ice-free land.
9. A farm with 2,500 dairy cows produces the same amount of waste as a city of 411,000 people.
10. Animal agriculture is responsible for 91% of Amazon destruction (and 1/2 acres of rainforest are cleared every second).
11. Humans are currently growing enough food to feed 10 billion people (the entire planet plus some!), but we are feeding much of this food to livestock instead. It is much more efficient to feed the food directly to people - According to the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification, it takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of meat.
12. 82% of starving children live in countries where food is fed to animals, and the animals are eaten by western countries.
The Standard American Diet (SAD), high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and meat, is responsible for alarming (and increasing) rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. We are not only straining the planet with our over-consumption of meat, we are straining our bodies as well. High meat and dairy consumption is directly tied to increased rates of cancer and other diseases. Plant-based diets are called "extreme;" meanwhile, 1/3 of Americans are obese, cardiac and bariatric surgeries are becoming more and more common treatments for problems that can be prevented with dietary changes, and 50% of adults can expect to be diagnosed with cancer within our lifetimes. We are what we eat - that is, refined grains, sugar, and dead animal tissue.And yet we expect this will have little to no affect on our health - or that healthcare will fix any and all symptoms and diseases. It will not - it does not.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states:
It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood and for athletes. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than diets rich in animal products because they use fewer natural resources and are associated with much less environmental damage. Vegetarians and vegans are at reduced risk of certain health conditions, including ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and obesity.
Austin and I used to be full vegan, but both of us have other medical issues that make it challenging to cook entirely egg and dairy free. We have tried a few variations of veganism/vegetarianism with the overall goal of maximizing health while minimizing our carbon footprint. Here's what works for us:
1. We eat no land animals, period. No cows, no pigs, no chickens, no lamb. Reducing our consumption of land animals in particular reduces our carbon footprint immensely. From a strictly ethical standpoint, I do not eat anything that I wouldn't kill myself. We occasionally eat fish, but as I am learning more about how toxic the ocean and its inhabitants have become due to pollution (fish and shellfish are high in PCBs, a carcinogen), I am trying to phase out fish entirely as well. What about sushi, you ask?? We can still make delicious sushi using vegetables like carrots, peppers, cucumbers, etc. and really don't even miss the fish too much.
2. We do eat eggs in moderation, primarily because it is very hard to make things gluten free, dairy free, AND egg free. However, everyone can benefit from some research on the egg industry and why it is so important to obtain eggs as ethically sourced as possible. The egg industry is incredibly abusive, not only to egg laying hens, but also to their offspring. Finding friends with backyard chickens is a great solution. You can also buy cage free, roaming chicken eggs at more and more grocery stores as the public is becoming more informed about how ugly this industry can be.
3. We try to eat seasonally and locally. Eating plant foods is far less environmentally friendly if the plant foods you're eating are shipped by freight! Try the farmer's market. We buy large quantities of foods while they are in season and freeze them for when they're not (I still like strawberry smoothies in the winter!). Eating seasonally increases appreciation of the food, too - a peach tastes so much better when I haven't had it for 8 months! Eating local food obviously boosts the local economy and supports small businesses, while reducing the carbon footprint of meals. It also means we're getting the freshest food available!
Everyone can make changes here and there that will benefit personal health and the environment.
If being vegan is too restrictive, be vegetarian!
If being vegetarian is too intimidating, be pescetarian!
If being pescetarian is too intimidating, be a "no red meat" eater!
If cutting anything out completely is too intimidating, just commit to eating less meat; e.g. having a couple of meatless dinners each week (or only a couple of meat-based meals per week!).
Reducing consumption of meat is an essential, though too often overlooked, facet of environmentalism. It's not just about the animals. It's about our health. It's about responsible and sustainable consumption for the earth. America's meat addiction has become very hard on our bodies, and on the planet. Reducing consumption reduces environmental impact.
Changing our diets isn't easy. It's much harder given that every media source is constantly barking at us to buy lattes, unicorn drinks, Big Macs, sodas, donuts, candy, etc. - as well as telling us that eating junk food makes for an interesting, spontaneous, and fun-filled life. It will also put us on the path to debilitating, expensive, and fatal diseases. We need to change the way we look at food - yes, it's a part of our daily lives, and a source of enjoyment, but should it not also be a way to honor our bodies, and the Earth our provider?
Some documentaries and books that are great informational sources about the American diet and plant-based eating:
Documentaries:
Forks Over Knives - discusses Diet for Health. Watch if you are looking to improve your overall health and wellness.
Cowspiracy - discusses Diet for Environment. Watch if you want reduce your carbon footprint & resource consumption.
Earthlings - discusses ethics & animal agriculture. Watch if you are motivated by compassion for animals.
Super Size Me - (a classic!) discusses Fast Food and Health. If you eat fast food on a regular basis, start here!
Books:
The China Study - a study of Diet for Health
Eating Animals - discusses sustainable and non-sustainable agriculture
The World Peace Diet - Diet/Lifestyle as it relates to Spiritual, Ethical, and Social Harmony
Changing our diets has radically changed our lives. Our daily (and seemingly innocuous) choices affect not only ourselves, but the rest of the world. We eat 3 times a day. Let these meals become a practice of gratitude, and not abuse.
