So, how can a simple thing like eating meat have a negative effect on the environment? The most important impact of meat production is through the use of water and land. 2500 gallons of water are needed to produce One pound of beef,whereas only 20 gallon of water are needed to produce one pound of wheat. By producing crops instead of animals, we can make more efficient use of the land and water. One acre of farmland that is use for crops can produce 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots, or 50,000 pounds of tomatoes.
Furthermore, farm animals add to the problem of global warming. All livestock animals such as cows, pigs, and sheep release methane by expelling gas from their bodies. One cow can produce up to 16 liters of methane each day. Methane gas is the second most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Many environmental experts now believe that methane is more responsible for global warming than carbon dioxide. It is estimated that 25 percent of all methane released into the atmosphere comes from farm animals.
People are becoming aware of the benefits of switching to a vegetarian diet, not just for the health reasons, but also because it plays a vital role in protecting the environment. Some people go further, and eat a vegan diet, which excludes all products from animal sources, such as cheese, eggs, and milk. However, some nutritionists believe that a vegan diet can be deficient in some of the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need daily.
Today, many people are concerned about improving their health, and about protecting the environment. Switching to a vegetarian diet or just eating less meat is a good way to do both of these things at the same time.