Why Vegan? A handful of reasons…for the Environment

Many of you may be asking themselves this question…”To be or not be a vegan AND WHY?”, and I guess there is no right or wrong answer. Taking such a decision however needs to be based on proper and detailed information and research. The best decision is the one you are confident about and knowing your reasons is the best way to start. And one very important thing - never judge others only because they don’t see, understand, value, believe or know the same things as you DO! It’s easy to just turn your back to those who think differently and show ignorance. But we need to learn to communicate and be a bit more patient and understanding to each other.  Well…yes, there will be weird questions and judgmental looks. You have to be ready to hear something in the lines of “What’s wrong with you that you don’t eat meat?” or “Are vegans some kind of a sect?” And that’s OK…like seriously…no need to get offended and take a defensive position by turning the “favor”. Just simply explain your vegan reasons, show that it was a well thought decision and just share your knowledge.  

You better be ready to hear many solid and frightening reasons why being a vegan is actually a dangerous and life threatening endeavor though J)…yes…it surely is life-threatening for the poor innocent pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, horses, fish, snails and all other creatures, until homo sapiens only pays respect to them when nicely flavored and seasoned in its plate.

I will try to list some of the many reasons for leaving the juicy stake or the roasted chicken wings in the past and for good. Since there are many reasons for going vegan such as Environmental Benefits, Health Benefits or Ethical/ Animal welfare reasons I will start with our precious “Planet Earth” and the bitter facts are…

Vegan for the Environment

1. The livestock sector causes deforestation in Latin America, responsible for 70 percent of forests cleared for grazing in the Amazon.
2. From 1966 to 1983, 38% of Amazon rainforest was cut down for cattle pasture.
3. The livestock sector causes 20-70 percent of pasture degradation, resulting in overgrazing, soil loss, soil compaction, and desertification (i.e., when pasture or agricultural land becomes infertile desert).
4. The livestock sector causes 55 percent of soil erosion in the United States.
5. The livestock sector is the largest user of fresh water
6. The livestock sector pollutes our waterways with manure, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.
7. The livestock sector produces 65 percent of human-induced nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is almost 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in heating up the globe
8. The livestock sector produces 68 percent of human-induced ammonia, contributing significantly to acid rain.
9. Beef generates 27.1 kilos (59.6 lbs) of CO2 [equivalent] per kilo consumed or 39.25 kilograms of total greenhouse gas emissions.
10. Farmed animals in the United States produce 130 times as much waste as the human population.
11. 75 percent of major fisheries are fully exploited, over exploited, or depleted.

To be continued…”Vegan for Healthier You” coming soon! Stay well, do good and eat your veggies J