(Newswire.net — April 23, 2021) —
Many people are not aware that eating meat poses serious risks to our environment. Meat uses a disproportionate amount of resources in its production and is directly responsible for pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Tara Haddad, the Founder and CEO of Modern Meat, explains the impact that meat-based diets have on our environment and how conscientious consumers can reduce their meat intake to help preserve the environment for future generations.
Land Use
The amount of land used for farming could be reduced by as much as 75 percent if the entire world switched to a plant-based diet. The reduction in land use would be attributed to the smaller amount of land used to graze animals and grow the crops that are needed to feed them.
If this land were no longer earmarked for agricultural use, it would be possible to let these areas revert to their natural state. This would offer a great benefit to the planet in terms of biodiversity and restored habitats.
Beef, lamb, and dairy are three of the industries that use the most land. It’s astonishing that 100 times as much land is used for beef or lamb than is used for plant-based foods.
Water Use
A staggering 1,800 gallons of water are needed to produce just one pound of beef. This is a huge difference from the 30 to 50 gallons of water that it takes to produce one pound of most vegetables and grains. The largest contributor to this high water usage comes from the water that is needed to irrigate the crops that cattle eat.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Agriculture is one of the planet’s leading producers of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are produced not only by fossil fuel fumes from transportation vehicles but also by the animals themselves in the form of methane.
The meat industry causes 56 percent of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases brought about by agriculture. Plant-based food products are responsible for only about 6 percent of the output of greenhouse gases related to agriculture.
Pollution
Factory farming is a major contributor to air, water, and ground pollution. The factory farming process results in 500 million tons of non-recyclable waste each year. This adds up to twice as much waste as the entire human population produces annually.
Sewage treatment plants can deal with the worst effects of human waste, but there are no treatment plants for animal waste. This waste is generally held in lagoons where it is dissolved in water and kept aside for fertilizing crops. This containment system is generally not secure, and the waste frequently floods the lagoons and escapes into the environment.
Cattle waste in particular is environmentally damaging. It contains pesticides, hormones, chemicals, heavy metals, antibiotics, and microorganisms like bacteria. These dangerous substances enter the groundwater and the soil. Pathogens like E. Coli can be spread by contaminated water.
One example of how animal waste contaminated the human food supply is the period during 2019 when E. Coli from a farm was found to have tainted romaine lettuce produced in Salinas, California. This outbreak caused 85 hospitalizations and 15 cases of kidney failure. It was also responsible for significant economic harm on the part of produce growers, restaurants, and grocery stores who had to discard a huge amount of product.
The Worst Offenders
Beef and dairy products are by far the worst culprits when it comes to environmental pollution. Eating animals like chicken or fish is less damaging to the environment, but people who consume these meats should also be aware of their environmental impact.
How Can I Help?
Meat-eaters who are confronted with the hard environmental facts about eating animal products may be dismayed when they learn how much impact they are having on our environment. They may wonder how they can help to reverse these damaging agricultural trends. The answer is simple: buy less meat and more plant products. If society changed its dietary practices, there would be far less pollution and a far smaller use of land and water.
Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet
Luckily, there are many satisfying options available to make switching to a plant-based diet easier. As a relative newcomer to the scene, Modern Meat products are gaining traction and approval among consumers. These products have the texture and flavor of the meat without the dangerous environmental side effects. It is simple to substitute them for traditional meat, and because of their unique flavours and texture, even meat-eaters are left satisfied.
Taking Care of the Environment
Human activity has had a damaging effect on the planet for many years, but today, we have the power to reverse the damage and make our environment healthier. Tara believes that avoiding meat and dairy is the biggest way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. And go easy on yourself, a reduction of any kind is a positive step in the right direction. More plants please!