darthfeyder:

Animal agriculture is really harmful.

It is a major driver of climate change. The UN recently released a report that said “animal products, both meat and dairy, in general require more resources and cause higher emissions than plant-based alternatives”. Animal products cause a huge amount of deforestation. Factory farms and slaughterhouses also contribute to a lot of environmental racism, especially in poor communities. Production of animal products harms or kills many native communities in South America, both through deforestation and murders committed by ranchers.

Factory farms produce a massive amount of pollution, a single farm can produce over one and a half times more toxic waste in a year than the entire city of Philadelphia. The CDC estimates that livestock produce between 3-20 times more waste than all of the people in the USA. This pollution invariably leads to runoff into local water systems, which can lead to both groundwater contamination and ocean dead zones. Water contamination is further compounded by the fact that livestock currently use up about a third of the Earth’s fresh water.

Animal agriculture also leads to development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which are a serious health risk. It is also important to examine the animal suffering caused by production of animal products.





Luckily, there’s a great way to avoid contributing to all of this. The American Dietetic Association says that properly planned vegetarian and vegan diets are “healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes”. Vegans also have improved health in several areas, including reduced mortality, healthier eating patterns, lower risk of obesity, reduced risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, a more protective gut microbiome, reduced risk of hypothyroidism, possible alleviation of fibromyalgia symptoms, and reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Going vegan doesn’t mean giving up delicious food though. There are tons of vegan recipes that taste amazing, and are usually easy to make.

There are also vegan food plans available for people that are on a tight budget (thanks vegan-lesbian):

How Can I Cheaply Eat Vegan

Vegan On $2 A Day

Vegan On $5 A Day

Vegan On $10 A Day

Vegan On $15 A Week

Vegan On $21 A Week

Vegan Recipes For $3

Plant Based On A Budget







If you are unable to be vegan for other reasons, there are also other ways to help. Food banks are always looking for donations, and it’s a great idea to donate vegan foods such as beans, lentils, whole-grains, canned fruits or veggies, and rice. Another option is to donate to, or volunteer with, your local Food Not Bombs chapter. Food Not Bombs is an activist organization that seeks to provide free vegan/vegetarian food in protest of war and inequality.