Leading Cause of Climate Change Is Animal Agriculture

By Robert Barsocchini

02 October, 2015
Countercurrents.org

Click on the image for a larger picture

There is some kind of “cowspiracy” going on… Animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, but no one seems to want to address it.

The documentary Cowspiracy, available on Netflix and through the film’s website, etc., does, and is worth a watch, particularly for the following reasons (in addition to being entertaining/captivating throughout):

1) Learning that animal agriculture is, by far, the leading cause of climate change.

2) Awkward silences and equivocation from leading environmental groups when asked what would seem to be the most basic question about their topic of expertise: “What is the leading cause of climate change?” Some ultimately get around to it, albeit reluctantly, and the reasons for their reticence are fascinating and revealing.

3) Visual illustrations of how much land/water it would take to “sustainably” feed the world’s current demands for meat, dairy, eggs, fish, and other animal products (ie leather). (Hint: it’s nowhere near possible.)

4) Statistics on the easy contributions one can make to preserving the environment by simply reducing the amount of animal products one consumes. For example:

2,500 gallons of water are needed to produce 1 pound of beef. Eating one less hamburger per month saves approximately 600 gallons of water.

477 gallons of water are required to produce 1lb. of eggs. Eating three less eggs per month saves approximately 115 gallons of water.

Almost 900 gallons of water are needed for 1lb. of cheese. Eating three less 1 oz. servings of cheese per month saves approximately 168 gallons of water.

1,000 gallons of water are required to produce 1 gallon of milk. Cut out ¼ gallon of milk per month and save 250 gallons of water.

(A resource for things to eat instead, if one wants to make the reductions but maintain current caloric intake level.)

These four small reductions add up to saving over 1,000 gallons of water per month. Thus, if even just one million people in the US made these reductions, it would amount to a monthly savings of over a billion gallons of water. This is not to mention carbon and other reductions the come from reducing or abandoning animal product consumption.

The filmmakers list their facts and sources here.

Robert Barsocchini focuses on force dynamics, national and global, and also writes professionally for the film industry. Contact on Twitter.