Essay On The Harmful Effects Of Animal Agriculture

The effects of animal agriculture are more of a secret than they should be. Not many people view it as a problem, because they have no idea how harmful its effects are for the environment. Animal agriculture is responsible for 80-90% of the U.S. water consumption and many more alarming statistics. This is a problem that needs to be taken care of right away. If Minnesota Food Connection starts educating people in the Midwest on the harmful effects of animal agriculture and they switch to a plant-based diet, then we could lessen or solve the problems associated with animal agriculture in the Midwest area.
Animal agriculture is harmful to the environment in many ways. It creates more greenhouse gas emissions than from all transportation vehicles combined (Cowspiracy). Not only that, but it is also the cause of 90% of the rainforest destruction (Cowspiracy). The space that was once a rainforest is now used as cattle grounds or to grow the necessary grain to keep up …show more content…
There are many ways that following a plant-based diet costs the same or less than the diet they are on. One way it could cost less would be if they planted a garden in their backyard or if they made a community garden. Planting a garden could also help bring a community together. A Minneapolis community has already done this. One person decided to use a vacant lot that had been empty for years. Right away, many people came to help out and make the garden possible. In the garden there are no designated spots, so people are able to help out and take some food home with them (Palmer). Also, switching to a plant-based diet does not mean one would have to give up a lot of foods. Many of the foods people already eat, like pasta or bread, are plant-based. However, to follow a plant-based diet one should lessen or stop their intake of some foods, including not only meat products, but dairy products as