Why This is Green

A vegetarian diet is an environmentally friendly one. The conventional production of meat--from feed to slaughter to transport—is energy intensive. By not eating meat, you basically eliminate that entire footprint from your personal consumption.

The global demand for meat has risen dramatically in the past few decades, leading to an increase in factory farms. The average family of four consumes between 500 to 800 pounds of meat yearly. This kind of mass production consumes enormous amounts of energy, pollutes the air and waterways, and requires increasing amounts of corn, soy, and other grains—often genetically modified and intensively sprayed with pesticides. This has led to the destruction of vast plots of the world’s tropical rain forests. There are many studies comparing vegetarian and meat-based diets. One often quoted stat: a meal of fruits, vegetables, and grains generates 24 times less greenhouse gas emissions than 6 ounces of conventionally raised beef.

If you’re eating conventionally produced dairy, you’re still involved with the factory farm system. Dairy from local, pastured animals—preferably organic--will have a lighter footprint.

The health benefits of being vegetarian depend largely on what you eat--processed packaged foods don’t have the same nutrients as whole foods. There has been some concern about the health effects of highly processed soy. Also, for people interested in eating local foods, soy might not be grown locally.

Learn More

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Effects Of Soy On Health Outcomes
• The Guardian: Eat Less Meat/Dairy Diet?
• Practically Green: Vegetarian Cooking And Eating--Try The Weekday Veg Plan With Spring Pesto
• ADA Journal: Production Of Red Meat Should Be Curbed In Order To Conserve Natural Resources
• Bookmark This Site: HappyCow.net
• Scientific American: How Meat Contributes To Global Warming
• Greenbiz.com: A Meat Eater's Guide For Easing Climate Change Impacts