Animal based diets have been at the forefront since perhaps the beginning of the modern world. However, it seems, with the state of the world, and the high cost of animal based diets, things are about to change…drastically. In today’s blog, I will discuss the issues that come from eating high animals-based diets and what you can do about it.
Scientists have been studying the environmental effects of human activity for decades. They have often warned politicians and the pubic about our detrimental activities for a long time now but much of their wanting have fallen on deaf ears. It seems that the desire for money, and taste, have caused much of the planet, and its non-human residences to suffer greatly.
What Will Happen If We Keep Going Like This?
Some experts warn that if we continue on our present course, the following things will happen:
Loss Of Rainforests.
Forests cover over 30% of the earth and rainforests are considered to be the most biodiverse habitats on the earth. Forests are the “lungs of the earth” as they soak up carbon dioxide and in exchange release abundance of oxygen for us to breath. Yet, areas half the size of England are destroyed each year.
The biggest destroyer of forests is agriculture. Forests are cut down to provide more room to plant crops or for grazing livestock. However, the logging industry and wold fires contribute to this deforestation as well.
Deforestation has dramatic negative effects on the environment including the loss of animal habitats and driving climate change.
Loss Of Animal Species.
Due to deforestation, and illegal poaching we are losing about 137 wild species per day and humanity as whole has wiped out over 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. Experts warn that if this annihilation of animal species is now an emergency that threatens civilization.
Studies show that by 2050, the oceans may not have any fish left due to the fishing industries. Half of the catch goes to feed humans and the other half to feed livestock, fish, farms and pets.
Dragging nets along ocean floors not only catches hundreds of thousands of fish but also traps sea creatures not wanted such as dolphins and sharks, who are often just thrown back to the sea, and destroys entire ecosystems.
Creation Of Ocean Dead Zones.
Studies show that over 400 oxygen-oxygen-depleted dead zones near inhabited coastlines are killing a vast majority of marine life. These dead zones are caused mainly by massive runoff of fertilizers and manure from factory farms and croplands.
Climate Change.
Climate change seems to be a huge matter of debate between politicians and scientists. According to 97% of scientists who study matters of this topic climate change is real and will increase in severity over the coming decades. The negative impact of climate change includes the drowning of coastal cities, extremes weather and storms and large droughts, which will effect us all. It seems that 51% of greenhouse gasses may be due to livestock production, which is more than transport.
Soil Loss.
At current rates of degradation, some studies show we may run out of topsoil by 2070. Soil is being lost 10 to 40 times faster than it can be naturally replenished. The WWF states that this soil loss reduces the amount of fertile land to grow nourishing food, increased pollution and sedimentation in waterways that effect fish and other species.
Fossil Fuel Depletion.
Studies show that more than 30% fossil fuels are used for animal agriculture and due to this we’re using up our infinite fossil fuels of which we depend on for almost everything.
Mass Starvation.
Almost one billion humans today are underfed and malnourished and are unable to afford grains used mostly to feed livestock for wealthier people. Yet, experts predict that the population of the world could reach almost 10 billion people by the year 2050. This means mass starvation for many people around the world.
How To Prevent Destruction Of The Earth
- To prevent deforestation, it’s essential to manage forest resources by eliminating clear-cutting and to plant new trees to replace ones that have been cut down. We can also eliminate animal-based foods in our diets as well as foods that use mass destructions such as palm oil.
- To prevent loss of animal species, organizations like the WWF are working hard to restore, reconnect and preserve natural landscapes as much as possible. We can also eliminate fish an other sea-food from our diets and not support any company or products that support the fishing industry. According to experts there’s no such thing as sustainable fishing.
- To prevent oxygen dead zones, the Gulf Coast Preservation Society proposes these solutions such as to stop fertilizer and waste runoff into lakes, rivers, streams and oceans and enact laws to ensure this does not happen and build water treatment plants to ensure human and animal waste does not enter these bodies of water. We can personally contribute to prevention by choosing not to support animal agriculture that is the big contributor of dead zones.
- To prevent, or reduce, climate change, it seems one of the best ways to contribute is to switch to a vegan diet and no longer support animal agriculture, one of the biggest contributors to climate change and environmental destruction.
- To prevent soil loss, it is important to switch to a plant-based vegan diet because it takes 18 times less land and results in less pollution.
- To prevent, or reduce, the depletion of fossil fuels, it is imperative that we switch to a plant-based diet. Statistics show that for each person who goes plant-based it saves enough fuel to drive over 25,000 kilometres per year.
- To prevent mass starvation around the world, it is critical to switch to a plant-based diet. Experts suggest that on current farmlands, we could feed 12 billion to 15 billion vegans and give the earth a chance to heal.
In his book, Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs & Cats, Dr. Pitcairn reviews the grim statistics of the amount of destruction that occurs as a result of animal-based diets and evaluating the positive benefits of having the whole family, humans and animals, switch to a plant-based diet. I suggest purchasing this book and devouring the information he presents in an open-minded manner.
How To Make The Switch To A Vegan Lifestyle
It is the opinion of many health and environmental professionals, that making the switch to a plant-based diet is the only way to live a sustainable and non-non-destructive existence.
It seems that going vegan is one of the biggest trends in 2019 as more and more people wake up to the fact that out world is dying and something needs to change. If doesn’t many of us will likely experience the loss of our world in our lifetime.
Not only will going plant-based save our world it will also save the lives and prevent the suffering of millions of animals and be healthier for you giving you more energy and longevity.
Therefore, if you truly love animals and our Mother Earth, I encourage you to consider making the switch to a plant based diet.
If you want to learn more I invite you to sign up for my FREE 14-day vegan challenge. Each day you will receive an email with some information, recipes and steps you can take to make the switch.
A Prayer To The Animals
As an animal lover, preventing the suffering of animals is one of my main reasons for being vegan. Dr. Pitcairn shares a beautiful poem in his book, Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs & Cats, that I wanted to share with you to close today’s blog. This is also a great book to read if you want to switch your furry family members to vegan diet.
A PRAYER TO THE ANIMALS
By Dr. Richard Pitcairn
“I am with you brothers and sisters
Of fur, feather, beak and hoof,
For we share one life
And are one in the heart.
To all those caged and confined,
May you soon be free.
To those who have never seen the sun,
May light fill your being.
To those who have never touched the earth
Your mother will embrace you soon.
To those that have lost their child,
No solace will suffice.
To the child taken from your mother
May you yet know love.
To those forced to eat each other,
May love be your only nutrient.
To our wild cousins
That have lost their homes
And are leaving this earth,
May you find the life you have sought.
To those whom we have internationally
Transferred our diseases,
We beg for forgiveness and pray
That we will now
Keep our problems to ourselves.
To those we have killed and eaten
In worship to the god of taste,
May your sacrifice be seen
As our final learning
That the greatest pleasure
Is truly
The love we have for each other.
May we travel together
Brothers and sisters
In peace and harmony
Pay in hand
Wing on shoulder
Tail on arm
To the world of oneness
The Garden of Eden
That we have always known.”
Until next time….
Namaste.
Rachel Joy Olsen, BSc., MBA