Environmental Impact of meat consumption and production

Over the past decades meat consumption and production have had signi cant

e ects on our environment, especially in relation to several environmental systems, that

we depend on, such as forests for oxygen production. Livestock production makes up

a signi cant amount of 14.5% of the total gas emissions per year, which is causing our

ozone layer to be destroyed. Furthermore livestock farming requires a huge amount of

land and water, which forces the local farmers to clear forests areas by burning down

the trees consequently causing deforestation. This is very common in the Brazilian rain-

forest, one of the biggest exports for pork. The deforestation also leads a loss of biodi-

versity such as native plants, little ecosystems or animal species that are already end-

angered. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture the livestock produc-

tion takes up around 80% of deforestation in the Amazonas. In Regions, which are alre-

ady lacking of Water, excessive livestock farming where the production of one single

kilogram of meat requires over thousands of gallons of water, becomes an endanger-

ment to the local communities.

Overall meat consumption and production have fatal consequences on our envi-

ronment and are destroying our natural ecosystem. A possible solution could be the

consumption of meat alternatives instead of the real meat, which would contribute to

help the environment.

An example would be the vegan diet, which is when you don’t consume any

meat or products from animals, such as milk or eggs. This diet contributes to less gas

emissions as animal agriculture makes up a huge amount of gas emissions, especially

methane and nitrous oxide which are damaging to our ozone layer. By eliminating meat

from your diet, the demand of meat decreases which would lead to less livestock far-
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 ming, which could result in less gas emissions by approximately 63% of your own car-

bon footprint per year. Another environmental bene t would be the decreasing defore-

station, as farmers do not require such massive spaces for their livestock farming, if the

demand decreases. Choosing a vegan diet contributes to the preservation of biodiver-

sity, our natural ecosystem and native and unique plants. The production of plant based

alternatives to meat, such as soja or tofu requires less than 50% of the amount of water

that would be required to water the food for the animals, keep the stalls clean and for

hydrating them.

Another alternative diet which would be more ethical to our environment is the

pescatarian diet. In this type of diet you do not any consume any meat but still consu-

me sh. To begin with sh do not produce any greenhouse emissions and no large sca-

le deforestation for grazing and agriculture is required. A lot of people that cut out all

meat, in order to contribute to the preservation of our planet, have developed health

issues as they are feeling weak and sick. This issue can be solved by being pescatari-

an, you are still getting all the relevant nutrients and a “placebo” for meat, but you are

still taking a huge part in helping our environment.

To summarize, a plant based diet has barely to none impact on our environment

as all of the plants which could serve as an alternative such as tofu, mushrooms or

chickpeas all grow in our ecosystem and are natural. The only damage it could cause to

our planet would be the transportation of the plants, which however would still be a lot

less than the damage of meat consumption and production.

In conclusion, meat consumption and production leaves a huge footprint in our

environment as it accelerates global warning by contributing to deforestation, huge

amounts of gas emissions, and the destruction of ecosystems and nature.

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