Suggested by ELIZA K
Here are a number of reasons:
- Inefficiency: “In order to produce 1 lb. of protein in the form of beef, we must feed 21 lbs. of protein to the animal… the average ratio in the US is 1:8. It has been estimated that the amount of protein lost to humans in this way is equivalent to 90% of the annual world protein deficit.” – Peter Singer essay – A Utilitarian Defense of Animal Liberation.
- High emissions: New Zealand’s dairy industry is responsible for over half of NZ’s climate-changing emissions, more than that of the entire transport sector.
- Reducing carbon sinks: The dairy industry in NZ is also deforesting MASSIVE areas of pine to make way for corporate dairy farms, a double-whammy for the climate in the way it removes a carbon sink and replaces it with the most greenhouse gas-intensive industry ever!
- Cuteness: Lambs are freakin’ cute.
» Get the full story on Carbon Action Badges here
Tags: badges, carbon action, Carbon action badges, vegetarian
I’m not sure about that one as it will put many people out of their livelihood, and will harm NZ national product income.
In exchange it will increase food supplement industry and pharmaceutical companies.
The economy relies on ecology, and currently the dairy and meat industry is simply not sustainable.
And why should it increase the food supplement industry? I certainly don’t use any supplements or phamaceuticals, and I’ve been vegetarian for 3 years. Surely it will more likely increase the organic vege and fruit markets meaning less toxic herbicides and pesticides, encourage more people to grow their own veges meaning less fossil fuels, and we’ll have a healthier NZ without the current obesity epidemic.
Think about it. There’s the possiblility of feeding the starving majority of the world by using farmland to create EIGHT TIMES the amount of protein that the dairy and meat industry creates.
Check out the movie ‘Earthlings’, available on youtube – it might show you a fresh perspective.
When the UK, India, Greece etc abolished slavery, I’m sure it ‘put many people out of their livelihood’ and ‘harmed their national product income’ too. Some things are more important than the economy, especially when we face climate change.
Research Hemp Farming – it has a hell of a lot more potential than enslaving animals.