Fix America's Beef Problem

All semester we have discussed how our actions impact our environment and what we can do to limit this impact, or to make our impact more “green.” From smart green homes, to rain barrels, to smart cars, there are many different ways that we can improve our environment and lessen our ecological footprint. One of the biggest ways to do this is by reducing the amount of meat that we consume.

Introduction (Attention Step): What do you think is the greatest cause of emission pollution? What do you believe is harming our planet? Well if you guessed that fossil fuel emissions are the biggest emission polluters, then you are completely wrong (attention getter). Animal Agriculture is actually the number one Greenhouse Gas emitter in the planet. Yes, cow farts are destroying the environment. It sounds crazy, but ever since the mid 60’s, agriculture associations have been spreading across the Americas and dominated the industry. The most destructive of all Ag corps are Livestock Corporation. These associations include IBP, Conagra, Perdue, Farmland National Beef, Cargill, etc … Animal Agriculture is effecting every single person in this room because we all breathe in the same air, drink the same water, and eat the same (credibility). The buildup of Animal Agriculture is a great destruction to our planet and our species because it is creating

Factory farming is an efficient and profitable way to make and sell meat. But there are a myriad of consequences to this system. Factory farms do whatever they can to be cost-efficient. This leads to a waste of energy, harmful effects on the environment, cruel animal treatment, and negative effects on human health, and therefore, factory farming should be abolished.

Did you know the average American eats 209 pounds of meat per year. Americans need to drastically cut down on the amount of meat we eat because the animal agriculture industry is not sustainable, livestock have created more than 500 nitrogen flooded dead zones around the world in our oceans, and it's responsible for up to 80% of destruction done to the Amazon rain forest.

Kateman claims that despite increased encouragements to remove animal proteins, primarily meats, from the human diet, consumptions rates remain inexorable. For example, the article mentions that “Americans are eating less beef, but chicken sales are on the rise” (Kateman). Additionally, while China pledges to reduce meat consumption by 50 percent, emergent, developing nations anticipate an increase of animal product consumption through meat and dairy. Increasing incomes and population growth correlate with the flourishing trend of consuming a primarily animal-based diet.

Factory farming plainly put cannot possible be scaled to the magnitude that is demanded if the developing world acquires the same taste for meat as the already developed world. Currently as things stand factory farming is already the cause of more greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere than transportation. It’s even suggested that already it’s become the number one factor causing climate change. The resources that are being allocated, whether it

Million of pounds of meat are consumed by Americans each year. Yet not a lot of people give a thought about where this meat actually comes from. In contrast to time before industrialize farm and big grocery stores; everyone knew their produce came from a local farm. Industrialize farming is a big industry that affect a wide range of aspects in today’s world. The big three aspects that are affected by Industrialize farm are health, economic, and environmental. Industrialize meat farm is a necessary institution, but we must implement changes and reforms to ensure the produce is safe and ethical.

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen and Boys and Girls. I'm present here this fine afternoon to discuss and share my opinion about the USA’s meat obsession.

Raising livestock for animal products requires a lot of land, water, food, and energy. Further, waste water, manure, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers pollute the air, streams, rivers, and oceans. There are a number of different types of livestock that contribute to environmental degradation, and in different ways; however, beef and dairy cattle appear to be the worst perpetrators. To narrow the focus of this paper, I will examine beef and two types of environmental impacts: greenhouse gases and water usage. Before we can understand the impacts, it’s important to note something about consumption habits.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released, in 2006, a publication which looked over the environmental impact of livestock on the planet. The conclusions found from that report are that up to 70% of grazing land is considered degraded, livestock contributes in CO2 approximately 18% of the climate change, and livestock accounts for about 37% of methane emissions.As we continue to find out the extent of the effects of these things, we must take these things into consideration. Presently, however, the conclusions found from this report among others the impact on the environment is substantial and at unsustainable levels for the near and far future.

The number of vegetarians in America has risen from 1% of the population in 2009 to 5% according to a recent study. As Elizabeth Turner, the editor in chief of Vegetarian Times said, “The vegetarian sector is one of the fastest-growing categories in food publishing. It’s a dedicated group of consumers that is growing daily.” This is because science has made advancements in research which shows that, in general, vegetarianism is a superior dietary option to non-vegetarianism because it is healthier and is better for the environment. Further studies have also shown that many animals are unnecessarily slaughtered and are treated cruelly and inhumanely during slaughter. Not only should vegetarianism be accepted, but it is, in fact, more beneficial to us and the world around

One would suggest in knowing that the consumption of meat is destroying the planet, that consumers would try to eliminate this aspect from our lives. It is not that simple. There exists still numerous counterarguments surrounding this topic. Innumerable people believe shifting away from traditional farming and moving towards industrial scale confinement is increasingly cost efficient and beneficial for the environment and the economy. Moreover, this is actually more inefficient. In confinement, additional waste exists in a secluded area and has too high a quality to cycle back through into the environment. The waste is forced to be stored in manure lagoons. Without proper oxygenation, the waste emit methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. “As a consequence of industrial livestock production, the United States scores at the top of the world for methane emission from manure” (Lappe). Industrial farms diminish natural soil fertility and reduce soil carbon, which increases climate change. They rely on a large quantity of water, which will eventually become scarce once global warming increases drought frequency and intensity. Droughts will lead to crop loss and salinization of

individuals choose not to put much thought into the way their food is prepared before purchase.

In addition to the health benefits, the production of meat and animal products is responsible for the pollution, excessive use of resources, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity that plagues our environment. According to a UC Davis study, the entire process of manufacturing a quarter-pound hamburger (an American favorite) requires 110 gallons of water in comparison to a pound of potatoes only demands 2 gallons of water but still being an equal source of calories. And perhaps most importantly, a plant-based diet is cruelty-free in that it can be enjoyed in bounty without causing any suffering, harm, or death to animals. Because this lifestyle has proven to be so beneficial and sustainable as well as successful in providing long-term results that encompass more than just aesthetic results ; I am extremely curious of the longevity of this lifestyle. Along with this answer, it will be interesting to see the profitability and activity of the meat and dairy industry in the year 2066 in the United States if the majority of Americans choose to no longer support them.

Various proposals exist to eliminate and/or reduce the impact animal agriculture entails on climate change. The report released by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggests alternatives to the various sectors to the livestock industry. They propose better efficiency so, “...a larger portion of the energy in the animals’ feed is directed toward the creation of useful products (milk, meat, draught power), so that methane emissions per unit product are reduced.” (qtd. in Shields 363). The Humane Society International also developed some solutions the overall population can contribute to reduce climate change issues in the environment. One suggestion is promoting a higher population of people with plant-based diets in order to reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions. The Humane Society International also ties this suggestion to an overall improvement for not only animal welfare, but public heath too. (“The Impact of Animal Agriculture” n.p.).