Changing Your Diet

Nearly half of the water used in the United States is for raising animals for food. In fact it takes 5,000 gallons of water to raise one pound of meat as opposed to 25 gallons to raise one pound of wheat. Bottom line is that it takes 4,000 gallons of water per day to maintain a meat filled diet and only 300 gallons of water a day to provide a vegetarian diet. Also consider the fact that it takes more water to raise a pound of meat than it does to shower every day for a year. In addition eating meat is also the biggest source of a person’s carbon footprint as methane gas from animals is 25 times more efficient at trapping heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately meat consumption is expected to double globally between 2000 and 2050 which requires creating new pastures and planting more land for animal feed. This is contributing to more clearing of forests and natural lands which is destroying our natural carbon sinks or the vegetation that absorb carbon dioxide. The carbon emission impact of going fully vegetarian is is like giving up your SUV or driving 8,000 fewer miles a year. And while it may be difficult to resist a nice juicy steak or burger every day also know that it is far more healthier to eat a vegetarian diet as meat products contain steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones and other unnatural chemicals. So you will not only be helping the environment by reducing or giving up meat consumption but you will also be healthier for it.