Factory Farming. Not Only Harmful To The Animals, Humans, But The Environment

Agriculture is one of the major contributors to global warming, with 22% of global greenhouse emissions. Livestock emissions, animal waste, from factory farming, and fertilizers are among the most harmful to the environment. 

But… What Is Factory Farming? 

Factory farming is a method of raising animals for food and other products quickly and cheaply. In this system, animals are kept in small spaces, such as cages or crates, and fed special foods to grow fast. This system provides animals with cruel living conditions and even more horrible deaths. 

What Are The Consequences Of Factory Farming To The Environment?

Raising animals for feeding the population, not only uses enormous amounts of water and land but also pollutes the environment with the massive amounts of methane and nitrous oxide that these animals produce while digesting its food. These gasses are far more damaging than CO2 to the atmosphere.  

Another major issue is that these livestock are usually located near poor indigenous or black people communities. Polluting their water and land resources, and being exposed to fertilizers, increase their chances of being affected by life-threatening diseases, like cancer, becoming a human rights problem. 

The constant growth in the demand for these types of foods will only increase these concerns. 

What Can We Do To Help In Bettering These Situations, Before It’s Too Late? 

Lessening our consumption of meat, eggs, dairy, and other animal products is one of the most impactful ways of reducing our contribution to climate change. The carbon footprint of plant-based food is significantly smaller than animal byproducts, in general, also it requires less water consumption and less land to grow this food, than compared to farming livestock.

With the constant raising in population, higher demand for food, less water available, and increase in population, I’m convinced that in a few years, being vegan will not be optional, so why not make the change now?

Fewer cattle and less animal product production, will not only help in fighting climate change, but fewer animals would have to suffer the cruelties of living in confined facilities, being tortured and slaughtered. Just so we can enjoy a steak, or eggs drink a glass of milk, or wear a pretty leather jacket. With all the harmful consequences of our body, then, is our turn to endure. Maybe, it’s the same pain and suffering from the animal, that when we eat we transform it into cancer, heart attacks, and other health issues. So, I’m inviting you to reconsider your actions and choices. It’s never too late to make the change. 

Me, at almost 42 years old, I started transitioning to a plant-based diet, because I’ve been feeling a bit hypocritical, for a while now. After all, I cannot be an environmentalist and continue consuming animal products. So make the change, your health, communities, animals, and the environment will appreciate it, and you’ll contribute to a better world, today and for tomorrow’s new generations.