
You often hear of people going vegetarian or vegan out of concern for animal rights, or for their health, both respectable reasons to cut out meat. But today a growing number of people are shunning meat because of its impact on the planet.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently released a report called Livestock’s Long Shadow, citing livestock production as a primary contributor to global warming.
Here are 7 reasons — based on the FAO findings — why meat is anything but “green”:
Aside from carbon dioxide, the livestock sector emits 37 percent of global methane, a greenhouse gas far worse than CO2; and 65 percent of nitrous oxide.
According to the FAO report, “Some 70 percent of previously forested land in the Amazon is used as pasture, and feed crops cover a large part of the remainder.”
“70 percent of the volume of herbicides used in agriculture can be attributed to animal feed production in the form of soybean and corn,” according to the FAO study. Of all chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residues in the U.S. diet, 55% are supplied by meat, while only 6% are supplied by vegetables, 4% by fruits and 1% by grains.
Before you next put food in your mouth, consider what it took for it to arrive on your plate. Think of the impact your meal might have had on the planet.
Never mind changing lightbulbs and shopping with a cloth bag; the best way to “go green” is to change your diet. Considering the alarming toll the meat industry imposes on the environment, you can significantly reduce your impact simply by going vegan or vegetarian.
(Or start small and join UF students who have pledged to go meatless one day a week during Meatless Mondays.)
enVeg is a University of Florida organization that encourages students to reduce their meat consumption in order to help the environment.
Because factory farming causes more climate change than cars, you can make a difference by choosing to eat vegan or vegetarian whenever possible. Learn more »
Got a question, comment or idea? Send an email to enVegUF@gmail.com, or use the contact form.
November 29, 2008
save the animals.
save the planet.
save ourselves.
July 19, 2009
Save the animals.
Save the planet.
Save ourselves.
September 3, 2009
Where are the sources for this article? It is very interesting and I want to learn more.
September 7, 2009
Hi, thanks for stopping by! Most of the facts are from the UN report, Livestock’s Long Shadow.
October 1, 2009
Lovely blog you have here. Chris referred me, not sure if he’s in your student group but glad he sent me here.
Will tweet this article to my peeps on Twitter. (@m38967)
Cheers,
Missy
GroovyVegetarian.com
November 4, 2009
You people should ask someone who knows something about agriculture. These are real numbers you have, but I don’t think you understand what they mean or how to apply them. Please ask someone who knows and get your facts straight. In 1860 there were far more ruminants on earth than there are now . We did not have any greenhouse problems then.
God made meat for us to eat!!!!
Bill