fast4earth Go plant-based!
God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. Gen 1 ;29
During Lent we have considered our life-style and commitment to the Earth. One of the most important actions you can take to protect the earth is to move towards a more plant based diet.
Here are some of the reasons why
- Cutting Your Carbon Footprint
There’s no debating animal agriculture’s devastating contribution to global warming. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that livestock production is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Add in transportation and the fuel used to grow feed for livestock, and we’re talking a very large carbon footprint.
- Conserving Water
It requires about 100 times more water to produce a kilo of animal protein than a kilo of grain protein, you can see how reducing the animal products you eat will reduce the enormous amount of valuable water we waste.
- Saving Animal and Plant Habitats
Worldwide, almost a third of arable land is used for animal agriculture — much of it to just to feed the pigs, cattle and chicken we’re so fond of consuming? That’s why animal agriculture is such a major contributor to deforestation and desertification (which happens when livestock grazing destroys native vegetation and speeds up soil erosion).
- Water pollution
Animal agriculture is the leading cause of water pollution and ocean dead zones. Waste from factory farms can seep into our streams and rivers.
- Avoid cruelty to animals
Many of the animals that end up on your plate are raised in very cruel conditions, without being able to go outside or experience the joy of their natural lives.
By choosing to eat more plant-based foods you can drastically cut your carbon footprint, save precious water supplies and help ensure that vital crop resources are fed to people, rather than livestock. With the wealth of available plant-based options available, it has never been easier to eat with the planet in mind.
5 Ways Eating More Plant-Based Foods Benefits the Environment