By Neil & Andrea Garvey
We all know the economy is in a major slump, and a lot of folks are hurting. But we also really need to know that if we don’t clean up our home (Earth), our money matters won’t matter a bit—and that will hurt a whole lot more.
Every one of us has had a hand—and a fork—in creating the environmental dilemma we find ourselves in. As difficult as this is to digest, our food choices have the greatest impact on the environment, surprisingly, far greater than even the cars we choose to drive.
We humans number 6.5 billion—and we all eat (well, most of us), affecting the planet with every bite. Granted, this may turn many a stomach, but the reality is that vegetarians and vegans have long had the right recipe regarding the environmental benefits of their lifestyle.
The fact is, the total energy consumed to produce meat products, far exceeds the energy needed to produce a plant-based diet. The resources (grains and water) used to feed farmed animals, far exceeds the eventual yield. Pour in generous portions of toxic pharmaceuticals used to treat the diseased livestock “living” in deplorable factory farm conditions and we’ve got a lethal brew.
Of course this information is nothing new. This does, however, serve as a candid reminder that in this very moment we have options available to make vast positive changes in a relatively short period of time.
Need some numbers? By going vegan for just ONE MONTH, you save: 8,000 gallons of water, a quarter acre of land and the carbon dioxide equivalent of burning 270 lbs of greenhouse gases, according to research done by the People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Simply “order off the menu.” Switch to a mostly organic, plant-based diet. Refuse to buy and/or eat tortured, disease-riddled, drug-laden farm factory animals that agribusiness passes off as food. Place your food dollars on your true values and not on “bargain” buys. Align your stomach with your spiritual consciousness. Eat for a healthier planet and a healthier you—and all 6.5 billion of us will be a whole lot happier!