The idea of eating less meat and dairy is a controversial topic, especially in the United States where meat is so prevalent in our diets. But the truth is the meat and dairy industry is a huge contributor to our earths current state. Animal agriculture is responsible for 91% of the Amazon destruction with 1-2 acres of rainforest being cleared every second for livestock and feed crops. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the combined exhaust from all transportation. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution, and habitat destruction. This caused by all the land being cleared for feed crops and animal grazing, species being targeted and hunted because they pose a threat to livestock profits. The pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers used in the production of feed crops interferes with the reproductive systems of animals and poisons water ways. The overexploitation of wild species from commercial fishing, the bushmeat trade crisis, as well as animal agricul ture all contribute to global pollution and the depletion of species and global resources.

http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/

I agree with the assertion that the meat industry is a large contributor in not only the production of greenhouse gasses, but also the worsening of global warming through deforestation and unproductive land use. That’s why I have been a vegetarian for more than four years, hoping to alleviate some of the effects the meat industry has on the environment. However, I do still have some moral dilemmas about the vegetarian and vegan diet. For example, how do you feel about the increased consumption of soybeans that these diets typically entail? I know this crop is often monocropped in an unsustainable method, even if it is not to be used for the meat industry. Monocropping can lead to a lack of disease resistance in plants, making them more susceptible to pests also, and this type of agriculture can be unsustainable and lead to soil erosion and degradation. How do you think vegetarians and vegans can further improve the sustainability of their diet?

I never knew that it was this much of a problem. Sadly this going to be so hard to change because we've already damaged so much, and with a growing population the companies that are taking up this space. Using up these resources, and causing such pollution won't be put to rest any time soon. The global economy, sadly, doesn't really take mind to the issues of the earth but more so money, and if some these big companies were to be shut down due to the issues with earth. The economy would crash, for example. The mining that is happening for tin used in cellphones, companies such as Apple, Microsoft, etc; they get it from a company that takes no mind to the surroundings or it's natives. The ground is ripped apart and not in the least useful for farming, the water is polluted, and they're knocking down their forests. But sadly nothing much is going to be done, because it's like dominoes when it comes these situations. So all we can do at this point is hope that something happens to help, but keep things stable.