Climate Change
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon dioxide accounts for nearly 80% of the greenhouse gases and can remain in the atmosphere for 300-1,000 years. Carbon can be sequestered and held in healthy soils for long periods of time. But if the soil begins to degrade, carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Soil is degraded by tilling and field-clearing practices as well as the use of commercial fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Deforestation
Animal agriculture contributes to deforestation primarily through the clearing of vast land areas for livestock grazing and the cultivation of feed crops, such as soy and corn. Forests, especially in regions like the Amazon, are often cleared to make way for cattle ranching or to create space for growing animal feed. This process not only leads to the direct loss of trees but also contributes to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions as carbon-storing trees are removed.
The Oceans
The oceans absorb four times as much carbon dioxide as the Amazon Rainforest. However, pollutants from farm fishing, the dumping of plastic fishing nets and other equipment, and overfishing practices disrupt marine ecosystems, impacting the balance of species and their roles in carbon cycling. Additionally, certain fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, release large amounts of carbon stored in seafloor sediments, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Consumption
Common farming practices of single crop fields and using sprinklers to water crops overhead inefficiently leads to half of the water being lost to evaporation and runoff. Even more detrimental to water conservation, animal agriculture water consumption is estimated to represent 55% (or 34-76 trillion gallons annually) of the water consumed in the United States. By comparison, water consumption for household use is estimated at 5%. The cultivation of feed crops, such as alfalfa, soy, and corn, requires substantial amounts of water. When these crops are used for animal feed, the water footprint of animal agriculture extends beyond just direct water use.
How You Can Make a Difference
Industry change takes time, but it’s driven by demand. Our choices, collectively, make a difference. Eco-friendly practices in our gardening, eating more organic and locally sourced foods from sustainable farms, and eating less animal products can fight climate change.
A lot of our inspiration has come from the many documentaries we’ve watched, and we invite you to check them out. You can find them on our Resources page.