we have all been here before, we have all been here before?
Today was a grand day, indeed. Even though I didn't do much.
So, as of February 1st I am officially a vegetarian. It hasn't been hard, so far.
Here's some information about the environmental motivations which factor into my decision, from Wikipedia:
According to the United Nations Population Fund "Each U.S. citizen consumes an average of 260 lb. of meat per year, the world's highest rate. That is about 1.5 times the industrial world average, three times the East Asian average, and 40 times the average in Bangladesh"
All modern, intensive farming practices consume large amounts of fossil fuel and water resources and lead to emissions of harmful gases and chemicals. Animal agriculture is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases - responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalents. By comparison, all transportation emits 13.5% of the CO2. It produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide (which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2) and 37% of all human-induced methane (which is 23 times as warming as CO2). It also generates 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems.
The habitat for wildlife provided by large industrial monoculture farms is very poor, and modern industrial agriculture is a threat to biodiversity compared with farming practices such as organic farming, permaculture, arable, pastoral and rainfed agriculture.
Animals fed on grain, and those that rely on grazing need far more water than grain crops. According to the USDA, growing the crops necessary to feed farmed animals requires nearly half of the United States' water supply and 80% of its agricultural land.
Additionally, animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90% of the soy crop, 80% of the corn crop, and a total of 70% of its grain.
In tracking food animal production from the feed trough to the dinner table, the inefficiencies of meat, milk and egg production range from 4:1 energy input to protein output ratio up to 54:1.The result is that producing animal based food is typically much less efficient than the harvesting of grains, vegetables, legumes, seeds and fruits. This criticism could not be applied to animals that are grazed rather than fed, especially those grazed on land that could not be used for other purposes.
I know that there isn't much I can do about these things, but you're supposed to "be the change that you wish to see in the world," yes?
Also, I'm not trying to preach to anyone, it's just ...good to ...know these things...yes?
My dad and Tyler are all up in my business about this decision, it's actually rather funny. It's almost as if people who eat meat take a person's choice to be a vegetarian as a personal insult. My dad: "We'd go to Thai food, but....you don't eat anything anymore."
The dish that I order now is the same one I ordered even before I decided to become a vegetarian...pumpkin curry. Teehee.
Anyface, I think I'm going to finish watching Gandhi. Or read my book. Goodnight, livejournal.
So, as of February 1st I am officially a vegetarian. It hasn't been hard, so far.
Here's some information about the environmental motivations which factor into my decision, from Wikipedia:
According to the United Nations Population Fund "Each U.S. citizen consumes an average of 260 lb. of meat per year, the world's highest rate. That is about 1.5 times the industrial world average, three times the East Asian average, and 40 times the average in Bangladesh"
All modern, intensive farming practices consume large amounts of fossil fuel and water resources and lead to emissions of harmful gases and chemicals. Animal agriculture is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases - responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalents. By comparison, all transportation emits 13.5% of the CO2. It produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide (which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2) and 37% of all human-induced methane (which is 23 times as warming as CO2). It also generates 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems.
The habitat for wildlife provided by large industrial monoculture farms is very poor, and modern industrial agriculture is a threat to biodiversity compared with farming practices such as organic farming, permaculture, arable, pastoral and rainfed agriculture.
Animals fed on grain, and those that rely on grazing need far more water than grain crops. According to the USDA, growing the crops necessary to feed farmed animals requires nearly half of the United States' water supply and 80% of its agricultural land.
Additionally, animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90% of the soy crop, 80% of the corn crop, and a total of 70% of its grain.
In tracking food animal production from the feed trough to the dinner table, the inefficiencies of meat, milk and egg production range from 4:1 energy input to protein output ratio up to 54:1.The result is that producing animal based food is typically much less efficient than the harvesting of grains, vegetables, legumes, seeds and fruits. This criticism could not be applied to animals that are grazed rather than fed, especially those grazed on land that could not be used for other purposes.
I know that there isn't much I can do about these things, but you're supposed to "be the change that you wish to see in the world," yes?
Also, I'm not trying to preach to anyone, it's just ...good to ...know these things...yes?
My dad and Tyler are all up in my business about this decision, it's actually rather funny. It's almost as if people who eat meat take a person's choice to be a vegetarian as a personal insult. My dad: "We'd go to Thai food, but....you don't eat anything anymore."
The dish that I order now is the same one I ordered even before I decided to become a vegetarian...pumpkin curry. Teehee.
Anyface, I think I'm going to finish watching Gandhi. Or read my book. Goodnight, livejournal.