49 - The Environmental Costs Of Factory Farming And Ranching

Long ago, eating meat was a good source of nutrition, since the use of hormones, pesticides and mass production methods was as yet unheard of. A family raised and processed their own livestock. Every morning the large golden eggs were plucked from the chicken’s nests, which were lovingly cared for and fed healthy pesticide-free grains.. 
Today's factory farms use everything, but in the process they leave behind an environmental toll that generations to come will be forced to pay. Raising animals for food requires more that half the water used in the United States each year and one-third of all raw materials, including fossil fuels. This industry is the greatest polluter of our waters and is directly responsible for 85 percent of soil erosion. Our country's meat addiction is steadily poisoning and depleting our land, water and air.
Of all agricultural land in the United States, 87 percent is used to raise animals for food. That's 45 percent of the total land mass of the United States.
Methane is one of four greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The world's 1.3 billion cows produce one-fifth of all methane emitted into the atmosphere.
Raising animals for food causes more water pollution in the United States than any other industry because animals raised for food produce 20 times the excrement of the entire human population-230,000 pounds every second.
Of all raw materials and fossil fuels used in the United States, more than one-third is used to raise animals for food.
Rain forests are being destroyed at a rate of 125,000 square miles per year. The primary cause of deforestation is raising animals for food.
Coupled with the inhumane treatments of animals that are raised for human consumption, the costs of raising and processing these animals for human consumption is becoming too high. Make a commitment to reduce or eliminate meats from your diet, and learn to live from the plant foods the environment naturally provides. The animals and your conscience will be better for it.

Other Articles:

1 You Are What You Eat
10 Turkeys
11 Pig Farming
12 Fish, Mercury
13 Animal Suffering
14 Different Types Of Vegetarians
15 Vegetarians And Heart Disease
16 Vegetarians And Cancer
17 Bowels And Stomach Digestion
18 Weight
19 Osteoporosis
2 Humans Did Not Always Eat Meat.
20 Spirituality
21 Transition Family
22 Detoxification
23 Eliminate Red Meat
24 Eliminate Poultry
25 Eliminate Seafood
26- Got Milk? Reasons Not To Grab For The Glass
27 - Flipping The Switch To Vegetarianism
28 - Variety Adds Vitality To Your Vegetarian Meals
29 - Lazy Vegetarians Who Choose The Wrong Carbs Risk Health
3 Why Did Humans Start Eating Meat?
30 - Proper Planning Prevents Problems
31 - Vegetarian Diet For Optimal Personal And Environmental Health
32 - The Benefits Of A Vegetarian Diet To Diabetics
33- Sample Two-day Diabetic Vegetarian Menu
34- The Special Needs Of The Pregnant Vegetarian
35 - Sample Daily Menu For Pregnant Vegetarians
36 - Going Vegetarian During Your Pregnancy
37 - The Healing Effects A Vegetarian Diet Has On Your Post-baby Body
38 - Sample Vegetarian Diet Including Essential Fatty Acids To Promote Healing
39 - What To Feed Your Vegetarian Baby
4 Traditional Meat
40 - Variety Is The Spice Of Your Vegetarian Child’s Diet
41 - Putting Your Vegetarian Toddler On The Fast Track To Health
42 - Sample Menu Items For Your Growing Vegetarian Toddler
43 - Ideas For Adding Some Variety To Your Vegetarian Lifestyle
44 - Tips For A Vibrant Vegetarian Holiday Filled With Variety
45 - Veggies Take Center State At Your 4th Of July Cookout
46 - Tips For A Tasty Vegetarian Thanksgiving
47 - Remembering The Reasons For A Vegetarian Season
48 - Variety In Your New Vegetarian Diet
49 - The Environmental Costs Of Factory Farming And Ranching
5 Why Switch To Vegetarianism
50 - Nourishing Our Body, Nourishing Our Spirit
6 Peta
7 Caged Chickens And Hormones
8 Cow Slaughterhouses
9 Veal