Vegan, plant-based- labels that buzz in our feeds, shelves and conversations. Afar from a label that has become so commonplace, what has become of this movement`s upsurge? Your favourite celebrity may have gone plant-based for better skin, but what is a plant-based diet beyond a personal preference for the type of milk that goes in your iced latte? The plant-based movement has made its way into the conversation of promoting sustainability in recent years, yet, it rarely reaches the same momentum as addressing the environmental impact of the fossil fuel industry. However, according to various studies, animal agriculture is one of the leading contributors to climate change and environmental degradation.
That said, how detrimental our diet choices actually are to our planet? Can our actions generate actual impact? And you may be thinking: what of an occasional steak- what is really at stake here? To answer these questions, let's talk numbers.
Animal Agriculture`s Dirty Laundry: What is the True Cost of our Eating Habits?
According to the United Nations, the world's population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. That means more people who want cream in their coffee and bacon for breakfast. A growth in the demographic implies a rising demand for animal products, which suppliers must meet. As our plates fill up, so do the consequences we serve to our environment. To put it concisely, our current food system may just not be able to support this rising demand.
You have probably already heard about the greenhouse emissions of animal agriculture; however, these emissions are just the tip of the iceberg. The industry`s environmental impact extends beyond CO2 emissions, affecting various other lesser-known areas of environmental degradation.
I`ve compiled an overview so you don't have to dig up the data yourself!
Emissions
To put things into perspective, here is a rundown of the data around Greenhouse Emissions (GHGEs) produced by the agriculture industry:
Varying data around GHGEs: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that livestock contribute 11.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, whilst peer-reviewed studies suggest it could be as high as 19.6%.
Methane emissions: According to a 2019 study, livestock contributes to about 44% of global methane emissions, with beef production being the primary source.
Highest GHGEs estimations: Meat and dairy production make up 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector and 24% of total emissions. Meat and cheese alone contribute about 40% to daily greenhouse gas emissions.
As you can see, numbers may vary but there is one thing that remains constant: whether livestock's carbon footprint is at the lower or upper end of the spectrum, reducing animal agriculture`s emissions is crucial. In fact, research shows that doing so could yield even greater climate benefits than previously thought.
The effect on ecosystems and biodiversity
Food production has consistently been the biggest driver of biodiversity loss throughout history, and it remains so today.
Nearly 44% of the world`s habitable land is dedicated to agriculture, an area roughly five times the size of the United States. This agricultural land is split into croplands, which make up one-third, and grazing lands, which account for two-thirds.
“More than three-quarters of global agricultural land is used for livestock, despite meat and dairy making up a much smaller share of the world's protein and calories.”
Notably, only half of the croplands are used to grow crops for direct human consumption. When combining global grazing land with cropland used for animal feed, livestock occupy 80% of agricultural land. Thus, the majority of the world’s agricultural land supports livestock production for meat and dairy.
Moreover, the heavy consumption of animal products has led to the expansion of grazing land and feedstock cultivation in the world`s richest biodiversity regions and carbon sinks. For instance, in South America, around 85% of rainforest degradation has resulted from animal grazing or cropland used for animal feed. For further reading about this topic, click here.
Water Utilization for Livestock
The water usage for cattle-feed irrigation and beef consumption is immense. Essentially, nearly one-third of the planet`s agricultural water is dedicated to producing animal products. For further reading about this topic, click here.
Food security
Livestock only provides 18% of the global calorie supply and 37% of the global protein supply. Intensive livestock farming consumes roughly a third of the world`s grain and two-thirds of crops like soy, maize, and barley, which weakens global food security. Feeding these crops to animals and then consuming animal products is less efficient in terms of energy, protein, and land use compared to eating the plants directly. For further reading about this topic, click here.
Environmental Contamination
Livestock manure poses significant environmental issues, impacting public health. Large-scale agricultural facilities are major contaminants of both groundwater and surface water, causing nitrate, ammonia and phosphorus buildup that harms aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Ammonia in soil can convert into nitrates, polluting drinking water. For further reading about this topic, click here.
Ocean Dead-Zones
You may have already come across the meme that goes “Folks will stop using plastic straws to save the fish but won't stop eating fish to save the fish”, but memes aside, overfishing is indeed severely threatening ocean biodiversity. Beyond species extinction, overfishing disrupts marine ecosystems and undermines the ocean`s capacity to store carbon, which is crucial for climate mitigation. For further reading about this topic, click here and here.
With that, we wrap up our overview of animal agriculture`s impacts on the environment. Hearing that something as mundane as our daily food choices plays a part in issues as significant and intricate as climate change and environmental degradation might leave you feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or uncomfortable. You might even feel apathetic, thinking your individual actions are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After all, climate change involves many stakeholders and causes, making your impact seem powerless. I get it, you are tired of those articles often labelled doomist, that leaves you with that hollow, hopeless feeling.
As much as hard truths are vital in the conversation of environmental awareness, with this article, I aspire to shift the conversation to ask: What can we do, as individuals, to help tackle these issues?
Read the article`s second part to find out...