Every day, we decide what impact we want to make on the world. With more and more evidence pointing to the negative impacts of the meat industry on the environment, making conscious choices about what to eat has become increasingly important. This change may seem like a difficulty in maintaining your lifestyle, but it can be a gradual effort that can help you do your part in reducing the harmful effects of the animal farming business.
The meat industry negatively contributes to the environment in more ways than we know. Sadly, most people don’t realize how that will affect our future. Water waste, wildlife habitats, pollution, extinction and antibiotic resistance will worsen due to our excessive meat consumption. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Researchers have found that 37% of methane emissions from human activity are the direct result of our livestock and agricultural practices.” While most people assume the meat products they eat are free-range or pasture-raised, the reality is different. According to New Roots Institute, 99% of meat in the U.S. is produced in factory farms and over 10 billion animals are killed each year due to factory farms.
Reducing the amount of meat you eat is not all-or-nothing. Starting off with something small like “Meatless Mondays” or trying a plant-based alternative can improve both your health and the environment. The Johns Hopkins University finds that plant-based diets have been seen to improve kidney health, help prevent type two diabetes and help reduce cholesterol. Not to mention the environmental impacts, preventing deforestation, saving water and reducing species loss. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Life, the average American consumes more than three times more than the global average of meat per year. This doesn’t have to be the norm, and these staggering numbers can be shifted with only a couple of substitutions at the grocery store. Even looking at protein options that produce less greenhouse gases can be a consideration when planning your meals. With just a few adjustments, we can each play our part in improving the state of the planet and ourselves.
A common misconception about limiting meat intake or becoming vegetarian is that accessing protein becomes a struggle. While this may have been a valid point in the past, there are plenty of low-cost foods and meat alternatives that are rich in protein. Chickpeas, tempeh, beans, tofu, lentils and eggs are all high sources of protein. Additionally, alternative brands like Beyond and Impossible are becoming more and more accessible across the globe as technology continues to advance. We even see professional athletes such as Alex Morgan, Venus Williams and Novak Djokovic at peak performance with purely plant-based diets!
Due to the constant need for feed and pasture to keep up with the number of mouths needing to be fed, research says that there could be a food supply crisis by 2050. However, even small changes that slightly alter what we eat—such as reducing meat consumption in our meals one less day of the week—can make all the difference.
