Animal Agribusiness and Earth Day |
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April 20, 2007
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Leading authorities claim that animal agribusiness contributes more to global warming than does human transportation. |
Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is a time to reflect on the impact our daily lives have on the environment and to begin taking action to improve the health of the planet.
There are countless ways that individuals can help reduce their environmental footprints, including taking shorter showers, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and walking, biking or taking the bus instead of driving.
But this year, Earth Day is also time to address the impact of factory farming on the planet. The evidence is stronger than ever that animal agribusiness is among the most serious causes of environmental degradation.
Each year in the United States alone, the meat, dairy and egg industries raise and kill nearly 10 billion animals. Nearly all of them are confined on massive factory farms that produce a staggering amount of manure, which in turn pollutes our soil, air and water, even contributing to global climate change.
Documented Destruction
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Animal- and Earth-Friendly Mock Meat Products |
- Patties such as Gardenburger's Flame-Grilled Chik'n Grill and Flame-Grilled Burger, and Boca Chik'n Patties
- Nuggets such as Health Is Wealth's Buffalo Wings and Chicken-Free Nuggets, and Boca Chik'n Nuggets
- Strips such as Lightlife's Chick'n Strips, MorningStar Farms' Meal Starters, and Health Is Wealth's Chicken-Free Fingers
- Soups such as Fantastic Foods' Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Simmer Soup and Amy's No Chicken Noodle Soup
- Hot dogs such as Tofurky (sausages and franks)
- Ground "meat" and "sausage" such as Gimme Lean (ground beef and sausage style)
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A recent report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization details the overwhelming environmental destruction posed by animal agribusiness. The report, Livestock's Long Shadow–Environmental Issues and Options, examines how animal agribusiness causes massive land and water degradation on a global scale and concludes that livestock production is a greater contributor to global warming than cars and other modes of transport, including SUVs.
"Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems," states the UN FAO, asserting that "[u]rgent action is required to remedy the situation."
A 2005 study [PDF] by University of Chicago researchers found that eating vegetarian fare is more effective in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions than replacing a gas-guzzler with a compact car. Even the prestigious Worldwatch Institute has blamed animal agribusiness for the serious role it plays in global warming.
We can help improve the health of the planet—and reduce the suffering of countless animals—simply by choosing to eat delicious, easy-to-find vegetarian foods.
You Can Help
Follow the Three Rs in your own diet. Check out The HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating for great recipes and other useful information.
Related Links
Factory Farms: Polluting the Environment and Getting Away with It
EPA Offers Large Producers Amnesty on Clean Air Act Violations
Helping the Planet...One Bite at a Time
The HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating
Help Farm Animals...Follow the Three Rs
Choice Eats: Chicken-Friendly Products
Marks Dairy Farm Manure Spill Threatens Environment and Public Health
Milking the System: Dairy Factories Profiting from USDA 'Organic' Certification
Study Has Many Clucking about Elevated Levels of Arsenic Found in Chicken
The Case for a Plant-Centered Diet
The EPA’s Proposal for CAFOs: Give Factory Farms More Leeway
The HSUS and Delaware Riverkeeper Network Fight Water Pollution from Foie Gras Factory Farm
