Science, Bitches | Issue 26

Science, Bitches | Issue 26

Animal Agriculture

Last time, I argued that the most urgent environmental issue confronting us lies in the environmental perceptions and values we hold today. While global warming, species extinction or deforestation may lead to the eventual collapse of the earth’s ability to sustainably support life, skewed human perceptions of the natural world worsen these problems. One huge driver of environmental issues is animal agriculture. It is, bizarrely, an issue that goes under the radar in the context of environmental protection.

Animal agriculture is the world’s leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution. It is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry and is one of the primary drivers of species extinction, rainforest destruction and ocean dead zones. The list goes on. It’s not hard to understand why people avoid talking about this issue. 

Agriculture is the largest sector of our tradable economy, making up about two-thirds of our total exported goods. Simultaneously, agriculture in New Zealand makes up 47 percent of our total greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also responsible for the pollution and decay of many of our rivers. Like any environmental issue, it’s complex, problematic and involves a lot of stakeholders. It is difficult to untangle and balance issues to reach any kind of “fair” conclusion.

A vegan was spieling to me about the various reasons for veganism. One she insisted upon was that other animals don’t milk other species, it’s not natural. She believed that neither should we. But humans do all sorts of crazy things that aren’t natural. I appreciate the notion of being closer to nature, but, for me, the environmental issues surrounding animal agriculture provide a better argument for veganism. 

I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian, or the type to ramble about what people should or shouldn’t do (I appreciate the irony in this, because I’m doing it right now), but cutting down your consumption of animal products is one of the best ways to look after the environment. Agriculture and the consumption of animal products are ingrained in our economy. There is no easy quick fix to it as an environmental issue. But consuming a little less is a first step to addressing the problem.

This article first appeared in Issue 26, 2015.
Posted 3:42pm Sunday 4th October 2015 by Sam Fraser-Baxter.