Meat production is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for 18% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The primary greenhouse gas emitted during livestock production is methane, a potent greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The majority of methane emissions from animal agriculture come from enteric fermentation, the natural process by which ruminant animals (such as cows, sheep, and goats) digest food. Methane is also emitted from manure management and the clearing of forests for grazing land. In addition to methane, animal agriculture emits nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 298 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The vast majority of animal-based foods, such as beef, pork, and dairy products, have much higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to plant-based alternatives. For instance, producing one pound of beef generates approximately 27 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, while producing one pound of tofu generates only about 2 kilograms.

To mitigate climate change, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture. This can be achieved by adopting more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing meat consumption, and shifting towards plant-based diets.

Animal agriculture consumes a significant amount of water, both directly and indirectly. Direct water consumption includes the water that animals drink, as well as the water used to clean and maintain livestock facilities. Indirect water consumption includes the water used to grow feed crops for livestock. According to the FAO, livestock production is responsible for approximately 8% of global water use.

The water footprint of animal-based foods can be substantial. For example, producing one pound of beef requires approximately 1,800 gallons of water, while producing one pound of soybeans requires only about 250 gallons of water. In areas where water is scarce, animal agriculture can put a strain on water resources, leading to conflicts with other water users, such as farmers and municipalities.

Reducing water consumption in animal agriculture can be achieved through improved water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting and more efficient irrigation systems. It is also important to reduce meat consumption and shift towards more plant-based diets, which require less water to produce.

Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. Forests are cleared to create grazing land for livestock and to grow feed crops for livestock. This deforestation not only destroys critical habitat for wildlife but also contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The expansion of animal agriculture has also led to the loss of biodiversity. Wild animals are often killed to make way for livestock grazing or to protect livestock from predators. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), livestock grazing is a major threat to over 20% of the world’s critically endangered species.

Reducing habitat destruction and biodiversity loss caused by animal agriculture requires a shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices, including reducing meat consumption and shifting towards plant-based diets, as well as protecting and restoring natural habitats.

Animal agriculture is also a major contributor to ocean acidification. The nitrogen and phosphorus from animal manure and fertilizers used in feed crop production can runoff into waterways and eventually reach the ocean, where they contribute to eutrophication, a process that leads to algal blooms and oxygen depletion. This can harm marine life and disrupt marine ecosystems.

Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into seawater, which lowers the pH of the water. This makes it more difficult for marine organisms to build their shells and skeletons, and it can also harm their ability to reproduce and survive. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to ocean acidification, as it is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions.

Reducing ocean acidification caused by animal agriculture requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture, as well as improving manure and fertilizer management practices to reduce runoff.