The average vegan, vegetarian, and meat eater all have one thing in common: they are guilty of practicing consumption habits that are harmful to the planet. But the difference between the V’s and M’s makes a meat eater a more sinful person. That is because the meat eater eats meat.
Why does the world continue to eat meat at the rate in which it does? Because meat tastes good, smells good, cooks great on the grill, gives a dense and rich source of energy, vitamins, and minerals; the list a meat eater can give goes on and on. Sure, meat eating is no new fad. The ritual of consuming meat goes back to the good ol’ hunting and gathering days. But only recently has meat consumption become a detached experience, where the consumer plays no role in the killing of an animal. In addition, meat consumption has become a human-made and profitable industry, where meat is made in science labs and slaughter houses.
Nevertheless, meat eating environmentalists and non-environmentalists alike pride in their meat consumption habits. After all, you are driving around in a Prius so it must be O.K. But let us not forget the other way meat consumption is: unsustainable.
According to a UN report, livestock in the world accounts for 18% of the greenhouse gas emissions, 8% of the total use of water, 70% of the degradation and deforestation of the Amazon rainforest (among others), and accounts for the highest records of water and land pollution than any other source of pollution on the planet.
Meat consumption also raises many political issues, not only in the developed nations but also developing nations.
What’s the solution to this destructive habit? If the meat eating is an absolute must, building relationships with local farms that raise animals can help ensure that the consumption of animal meat does not contribute to the environment’s downfall. If that is hard to do, make sure that the meat being purchased at the grocery store has a stamp of approval from an organic and humane label, and make sure that the animal was grass fed or some better option. (if the meat being consumed is seafood, check out the seafood pocket guide before consuming). Another option is try opting for vegetarian most days and have meat on special occasions.
For those that are hard core, go vegan and vegetarian and enjoy knowing that you are not part of the problem but the solution.
Photo Source: Mind Yourself Chicago
Filed under: Activism, Animal Rights, Climate Change, Conservation, Consumerism, Environment, Farming, Food, Genetically Modified, Health, Organic, Pollution, vegetarianism Tagged: climate change, food, food consumption, genetically modified, GMO, meat, pollution, water
