Think you can be a meat eating environmentalist?

[Guest guest]

First off - I'm not plagiarising, this is definitely not my own work, and

I'm posting this for interest and for feedback.

 

This leaflet from PETA just landed on my desk and I was so surprised and

amazed at their statements I had to publish it here for comments. Apologies

if this is already commonly circulated and people have all seen it already -

I hadn't.

 

I realise these are all US related, and I also realise its not directly

about animal welfare - but it surely gives us an idea at least of what an

impact intensive farming has in any country; and we are all aware that

intensive farming IS a welfare concern.

 

As a vegetarian already it gives me a great deal more persuasive power when

trying to convince acquaintances!

 

Sonia

 

 

Did you know:

 

Pollution:

The meat industry causes more water pollution in the United States than any

other industry due to the fact that the animals raised for food produce 130

times more excrement than the entire human population: 86,600 pounds per

second.

A typical pig factory farm generates raw waste equivalent to that of a city

of 12,000 people

..

Land:

Of all agricultural land in the United States, 87% is used to raise animals

for food.

20,000 pounds of potatoes can be grown on one acre of land, but onlyu 165

pounds of beef can be produced on the same space.

 

Water:

Raising animals for food consumes more than half of all the water used in

the United States. (Half!!!!) It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1

pound of meat, but only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat.

The amount of water used in the production of 1 average steer could float a

destroyer.

 

Deforestation:

Rainforests are being destroyed at a rate of 125,000 sq miles per year to

create space to raise animals for food.

55 sq feet of land are consumed for every quarter pound fast food burger

made of rainforest beef.

 

Energy:

Raising animsla for food requires more than 1 third of all raw materials and

fossil fuels used in the United States - think about that. 1 third of

fossil fuels.

Producing a single hamburger patty uses enough fossil fuel to drive a small

car 20 miles and enough water for 17 showers.

 

Wow