So it seems that talk of climate change only resurfaces following a devastating natural disaster. This time “Frankenstorm” Sandy, which struck the U.S. Eastern Shore at the beginning of the week, can be thanked for bringing global warming back into view. Even the up-coming presidential election seems to have ignored the issue.
Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, an organization dedicated to building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis, told Amy Goodman of DemocracyNow! in an interview, “If there was ever a wake-up call, this is it.” But if I’m not mistaken, I believe we’ve heard this warning before following similar disasters and the U.S. still has not made a commitment to reducing climate change.
That’s why it is up to each of us – as U.S. citizens and as citizens of the planet Earth – to make a commitment to taking steps towards reducing climate change.
Most climate scientists agree the main cause of global warming is increased greenhouse gases due to human activity. Along with an increase in the use of fossil fuels, the clearing of land for agriculture and industry, and raising animals for food are the top reasons behind climate change.
The United Nations and other reports like this report from World Watch found that raising animals for human consumption is a leading contributor to greenhouse gases. The reports found animal agribusiness contributes to climate change more than all the planes, cars, trucks, and all other forms of transportation on the planet combined. And just this month, the United Nations Environment Programme’s October Global Environment Alert Service focused on the growing amount of greenhouse gas emissions created by worldwide meat production.
One of the most impactful things we can do as individuals to help save the planet is to reduce our consumption of animal products and move towards a more plant-based diet. Plant-based food production causes dramatically less deforestation, uses less water, emits less greenhouse gasses, saves lives, and conserves the world’s resources for future generations. Numerous studies indicate that switching to a vegan diet can cut out 90% of the total emissions your eating habits contribute to global warming. (Refer to the above chart.)
For more information on how plant-based diets can reduce climate change and benefit the environment (and your health and animals’ health), please visit LiveVegan.org.