Vegetarianism

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on

earth as much as the evolution to avegetarian diet." —Albert Einstein

Why Become One?

• Eating meat:

– Wastes World Resources

– Accelerates Climate Change

– Destroys Environment

– Depletes World’s Oxygen

• It’s better for you.

Wastes Resources

• 70 percent of the earth's agricultural land produces feed.

• Beef Conversion ratio is 40:1

• 1kg of animal protein requires 100L of water

• Contributes to water pollution and land degradation (desertification).

– 60% of United States pastureland is being overgrazed

“If all the grain currently fed to livestock in the United States alone were consumed directly by people, the number of people who could be fed would be nearly 800 million.” -Dr. David Pimentel

Accelerates Climate Change

• The livestock sector produces:

– 65 percent of human-induced nitrous oxide.

– 37 percent of methane

– 68 percent of human-induced ammonia

– One-third of all fossil fuels used to make meat.

• Overall it produces 18-51% of all greenhouse gases.

• Destroys rainforests and oceans.

Destroys Rainforest

• 70% of clearing is for cattle-grazing.

• Between May 2000 and August 2006, Brazil lost 150,000 square kilometers of forest.

• Half an acre is lost every second.

• Rainforest accounts for 20% of World Oxygen.

• Rainforest is a major climate regulator.

“Dead Zones”

• Livestock uses 45% of water used in food production– Water goes back into environment polluted

• Pollution creates Algae blooms in oceans– Algae blooms die off and sap oxygen from ocean

• No oxygen=no life. Creates a “Dead Zone” – 70% of all world’s oxygen created in places

threatened by Dead Zones.

– Ocean is world’s biggest climate regulator

Mississippi “Dead Zone”

“Extinction of all fish species by 2048”

Health Benefits

• Many objections come from Folk nutrition.

– Vegetarians can get Iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6 with little difficulty.

• Vegetarians have significantly lower percentages of heart problems.

• Diverse diet= more vitamins and minerals.

– Less likely to be Obese.

• Reduces risk of certain Cancers.

Why You MUST Act

• Issues of Climate Change are social issues.

– Cannot depend on Technology

• Only solution is to change lifestyles.

• Americans are more responsible for Climate Change than anyone else.

• It is perfectly healthy if not healthier.