Did you know...

Animal agriculture produces more greenhouse
gas emissions than automobiles.

Animal waste and feed cropland dump more pollutants into our waterways than all other human activities combined.

Meat-based diets require 10-20 times as much land as
plant-based diets– nearly half of the world's grains & soybeans are fed to animals.

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is brought on by emission greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and the much more potent methane and nitrous oxide. These gases trap the sun’s heat in our atmosphere creating a greenhouse effect.

Global warming threatens planetary survival through destruction of wildlife habitats, flooding of coastal communities, and extreme weather conditions. Melting glaciers deny habitats to polar bears and seals. The resulting rise in ocean levels will flood low-lying coastal communities like New York and New Orleans. Warming of ocean waters intensifies hurricanes and droughts that cause extensive property damage and destroy soil productivity.

Meat Consumption & Global Warming

Most of us blame automotive and industrial emissions for global warming, and rightly so. But animal agriculture is an even bigger culprit. Livestock farming contributes carbon dioxide from burning forestland to create animal pastures and from combustion of fossil fuels to operate farm machinery, factory farms, transport vehicles, and slaughterhouses. It releases methane from the digestive tracts of cattle and nitrous oxide from animal waste cesspools.

According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent -- 18 percent -- than transport.

Says Henning Steinfeld, Chief of FAO’s Livestock Information & Policy Branch and senior author of the report: “Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.”

With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tons in 1999/2001 to 465 million tons in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tons.

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What You Can Do

Go Veg!

Eliminating animal products from your diet reduces personal annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 tons.

Get Started Now - Click here for a Free Veg Kit.You can aso subscribe to our colorful e-newsletter, Meatout Mondays. This weekly e-mail will provide you with delicious & simple recipes, product information, health news, and inspirational stories! Visit www.MeatoutMondays.org to find out more about it and view past issues.

Get the word out!

Many people may recognize the reasons for a plant-based diet, including its benefit to the animals and personal health. However, most people fail to understand the environmental consequences of eating meat.

Speak out for the earth by letting others know about the many ways in which animal agriculture contributes to global warming. Host a Meatout event to raise awareness about this urgent and timely message.

Visit our Action Center for ideas on how to get started. Once you have a plan, register your plans with us and request an Event Pack, complete with posters, handouts, stickers, and more.

New! Global Warming Meatout Materials

Our brand new "Stop Global Warming" poster offers a Free Vegetarian Starter Kit. Click on the image for a larger version.

Receive one in your Event Pack when you register your event!

 

 

FARM's specially designed postcard-sized handouts are attractive and easy-to-read. Click on the images to read the text on the back. With a clear, concise message linking meat consumption to global warming, these cards make outreach a breeze. You can:

Give them to friends, family, neighbors,
co-workers, and associates.

Distribute them by leafleting at concerts, festivals, fairs, or on public streets.

Display them at your local natural foods store, library, coffee shop, or any environmental or
veg-friendly location.

Receive a stack of the first listed "Kick the Meat Habit" cards when you request an Event Pack, or request either card separately.

Resources

United Nations Report
University of Chicago Report
World Wire Report
EarthSave
Eat Less Meat
Global Hunger Alliance
Well Fed World
Grace Factory Farm Project
Go Veg
Veggies for Ecology