Sustainability with Sarah
Thinking green means cutting back on meat
By: Sarah Eutsler
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Features
With society becoming increasingly aware of environmental concerns, most people know that many of the decisions they make can have a direct impact on the environment. Whether to bike or drive to Kroger and whether or not to purchase energy-efficient light bulbs are questions society is increasingly learning to ask on a daily basis. But one thing that some people may not be considering is how the foods they fill their plate with are making an impact on the world.
One of the major food environmental concerns is the world's meat consumption. In January, the New York Times ran an article pointing out the huge impact society's growing meat consumption is having on both the environment and poor countries. Meat packaging facilities use excessive amounts of energy, and the growing demand for meat is causing a high demand for food crops - mainly grain - to contribute to feed for livestock. Citizens of poorer nations may face a lack of food availability if the crop focus shifts from food to livestock feed.
Animal Feeding Operations, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as facilities where animals are raised and confined in an environment where they do not have the ability to graze for food, are an environmental concern due to water pollution hazards. The waste produced by animals is usually stored, but there is the potential for leaks through faulty construction or the washing away of the waste by rainwater. The waste can then reach bodies of water or ground water, contaminating it and leading to health hazards for humans. Such operations are also a problem when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report in 2006 which stated that livestock agriculture produces more greenhouse gas than cars and other forms of transportation. Manure and other animal waste contribute to the release of ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Land is also at risk due to continued demand for meat. One of the main reasons for the destruction of the world's rainforests-mostly those in Latin America-has been due to the need for more livestock pastures.
One of the major food environmental concerns is the world's meat consumption. In January, the New York Times ran an article pointing out the huge impact society's growing meat consumption is having on both the environment and poor countries. Meat packaging facilities use excessive amounts of energy, and the growing demand for meat is causing a high demand for food crops - mainly grain - to contribute to feed for livestock. Citizens of poorer nations may face a lack of food availability if the crop focus shifts from food to livestock feed.
Animal Feeding Operations, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as facilities where animals are raised and confined in an environment where they do not have the ability to graze for food, are an environmental concern due to water pollution hazards. The waste produced by animals is usually stored, but there is the potential for leaks through faulty construction or the washing away of the waste by rainwater. The waste can then reach bodies of water or ground water, contaminating it and leading to health hazards for humans. Such operations are also a problem when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report in 2006 which stated that livestock agriculture produces more greenhouse gas than cars and other forms of transportation. Manure and other animal waste contribute to the release of ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Land is also at risk due to continued demand for meat. One of the main reasons for the destruction of the world's rainforests-mostly those in Latin America-has been due to the need for more livestock pastures.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mya
posted 10/09/08 @ 12:24 PM EST
Great article Sarah - I could hardly believe the immense impact my diet has on the environment. And some of those statistics from the UN report are absolutely appalling (like it takes 5,000 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat, while growing 1 pound of wheat requires only 25 gallons of water). (Continued…)
Jack Morris
posted 10/14/08 @ 6:40 PM EST
CAN FEAR OF an OBAMA WIN BE REAL REASON
BEHIND MARKET PANIC?
The corner stone of Obama?s platform is ?CHANGE.? Change he may deliver, but once its clear meaning dawns on us, we may not like it, and it will be too late to return to freedom once freedom has flown the coop. (Continued…)
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