Description of Challenge
To find simple ways of living lighter and with compassionIf we really want to reduce the human impact on the environment, the simplest and cheapest thing anyone can do is to eat less meat.
Solution
Many animals are raised in cruel and inhumane conditions and live brutally short lives to meet the human demand for meat. However, people can live healthier and with a significantly lower environmental impact by reducing meat consumption. It has been estimated by the UN that 18% of Climate Change can be attributed to animals raised for meat and some research has even suggested figures as high as 51%.
Excessive numbers of farm animals also require too much land and contribute to deforestation, consume valuable water resources and cause land and water pollution in concentrations that can not be naturally processed. Meat based diets are a cause of obesity, most cases of food poisoning and other illnesses while antibiotic resistance from excessive use in animals make diseases harder to combat.
Whilst farm animals are an important part of the eco-system their prime function should be to maintain soil fertility and not simply to provide a source of food. Switching to a well balanced Vegetarian / Vegan diet is better for our individual health and is far and away one of the best choices for a healthier global environment.
