July 26, 2011

Eating for the Environment

Guide to Meat-Free Meals

Approximately 67 billion land animals were raised for food in 2009 alone, and an untold number of aquatic animals were also killed for human consumption. Worldwide, we use more land to raise and feed farm animals than for any other single purpose. More than 97 percent of soymeal and more than 60 percent of the barley and corn produced globally are fed to farm animals. The farm animal sector is also a major consumer of scarce water resources. 

Farm animals have degraded approximately one-fifth of global pastures and rangelands. In addition, 70 percent of deforested areas in the South American Amazon have been converted to pasture, while the other 30 percent is used largely to grow animal feed. Land degradation can have a profound impact on our ability to sustain the planet’s vital natural resources. Besides emitting climate changing greenhouse gases, land degradation can result in shrinking water supplies and the loss of plant and animal species. 

Furthermore, on factory farms, where thousands of animals are confined indoors, the amount of manure produced can exceed the ability of the surrounding land to absorb it. Factory farms threaten our water, soil, and air by spraying minimally treated or untreated waste on fields.

One of animal agriculture‘s greatest environmental impacts is its contribution to global warming and climate change. According to the FAO, the animal agriculture sector is responsible for approximately 18 percent, or nearly one-fifth, of human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate-changing gases are released into the atmosphere at nearly every stage of meat, egg, and milk production, potentially disrupting weather, temperature, and ecosystem health.

Mitigating the serious problems requires immediate and far-reaching changes in current animal agriculture practices and consumption patterns. Each one of us can lessen our environmental footprint by reducing our consumption of meat, egg, and milk products. 

Explore HSI’s Guide to Meat-Free Meals for delicious vegetarian recipes, and to learn how vegetarian eating can improve your personal health and reduce animal suffering while helping to protect the environment.

References include:

Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, Castel V, Rosales M, and de Haan C. 2006. Livestock‘s long shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. 2008. Putting meat on the table: industrial farm animal production in America. http://www.ncifap.org/bin/e/j/PCIFAPFin.pdf. Accessed May 18, 2010.