More Ways to Save the Planet

Once you've gotten Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle down, it is time to start saving the environment in other aspects of life.

Here are some simple tips for you to save the planet: (1) turn off lights when not using them (2) unplug appliances when not in use (3) ride your bike instead of driving (4) invest in an electric car ($$$$ Costly) (5) install solar panals in your hosue ($$$$ Costly)

Although all of these factors will ultimately help the environment and while some of them are costly, there is one element that is neiter costly nor difficult to do in order to save the planet that not many people know about. It's called veganism. Now no, don't click away! You are obviously interested in helping the environment! And veganism is one of the best things you can do to save the environment. Animal agriculture is responsible for more carbon emissions than all of transportation combined. You see, raising animals for agriculture is such an unsustainable process. We eat an animal who eats the food that we could be eating!

Some facts:

(1) Every day, a vegan saves 1100 gallons of water, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, 300 square feet of forested land, 45 pounds of grain, and one animal's life

(2) Nearly half of all water used in the United States goes to raising animals for food

(3) It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat VS. 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat

(4) As described briefly above, raising animals for food is incredibly inefficient. Animals eat large quantities of grain, soybeans, oats, and corn; however, they only produce a comparatively small amount of meat, dairy products, or eggs in return.

(5) 70% of grain and cereals grown in the United States are fed to farmed animals

(6) It requires 16 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of meat

(7) The earth's population is rapidly expanding. By 2050, food population would have to increase by 70% to meet the demands of 9.1 billion people, making diets rich in meat and dairy products unsustainable.

(8) Deforestation: More than 97% of the soymeal produced globally is fed to livestock. Vast expanses of land are required to grow this soymeal resulting in mass-deforestation in Latin America. Since 1970, almost 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been cut down.

(9) Animal agriculture is responsible for 90% of rainforest deforestation.

(10) 21% of US dairy production comes from California. The average dairy cow uses 4954 gallons of water everyday. There are 1.8 billion dairy cows in California. The California dairy industry uses 8.9 billion gallons of water every day.

Still here? I suggest if you're interested in saving the planet that you watch Cowspiracy. It is a free documentary on Netflix outlining the environmental costs that animal agriculture is having.

If you have any questions regarding veganism, feel free to visit my contact page.