1.4K Views 8 years ago

3 Stats About Meat and Climate Change That Can Change the World

Author Bio

Michelle Neff has her Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Maryland – College Park... Read More

There has been a lot of buzz recently about Climate change because whether skeptics want to admit it or not, climate change is a reality. With drastic temperature changes, water scarcity, extreme drought and destructive storms, Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges of our time. Given the importance of the issue, many are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint to help the planet.

Unplugging electronics when they aren’t in use, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, biking instead of driving, and planting gardens and trees are all great ways to fight climate change. But what if there was one thing you can do TODAY that could have a greater impact than all of the above? What if you could have a positive impact on the planet simply with your food choices? Consider these stats…

1. Think Fossil Fuels Are the Only Source of GHGs?

That’s right, more than the entire transportation sector combined. Not to mention, the global livestock system accounts for 23 percent of global freshwater consumption and 45 percent of the total land use. Crazy, right?

2. Would You Rather Bike Everywhere to Cut Emissions or Eat a Beyond Burger?

Shockingly, beef eaters use 160 percent more land resources than people who eat a plant-based diet. From all of the emissions involved in deforesting land to make way for grazing cattle and grow hundreds of acres of corn and soy (which is used as livestock feed) to the methane emissions from the animals themselves, producing meat is a gassy business.

3. The BEST Way to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint

By simply leaving animal products off of your plate for a year, you can cut your carbon footprint in HALF. And all you have to do is eat yummy, plant-based foods!

As we learn more about the impact of factory farms on the environment and animals, we are faced with a choice – either buy into this destructive industry – or choose better. For more impactful stats like these and to learn how you can help the environment with your food choices, check out the new #EatForThePlanet book!