   
Photos courtesy of photos 8.com
Do your own research to find out the facts. For a starting point, click here: Global Warming and Meat Eating Vegan Diets Healthier for People and Planet - University of Chicago or Meat and the Environment For a comprehensive list on reports and articles click: List
Worldwatch Institute Report
In a paper published by a respected US thinktank, the Worldwatch Institute, two World Bank environmental advisers claim that Climate change emissions from meat production are far higher than currently estimated, according to the new study instead of 18 per cent of global emissions being caused by meat, the true figure is 51 per cent.
In late 2006, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations released a report on livestock impact on the environment and Global Warming.
Livestock's Long Shadow - United Nations Report 2006
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Report, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.
With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tonnes in 1999/2001 to 465 million tonnes in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tonnes.
Based on this report, senior U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization official Dr. Henning Steinfeld stated that the meat industry is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems" and that "urgent action is required to remedy the situation."
The livestock business is among the most damaging sectors to the earth’s increasingly scarce water resources, contributing among other things to water pollution, euthropication and the degeneration of coral reefs. The major polluting agents are animal wastes, antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and the pesticides used to spray feed crops. Widespread overgrazing disturbs water cycles, reducing replenishment of above and below ground water resources. Significant amounts of water are withdrawn for the production of feed.
Read the full United Nations report - Livestock's Long Shadow
Eliminating animal food altogether saves half a hectare of forest (per person, per year) and reduces water consumption by 93% (in comparison to the amount of water required for a mixed, meat- based diet)
"In gross terms if you stop eating meat, you will reduce the amount of water you consume by more than two thirds,” he said. “That’s because the main use of irrigated water in Australia is for pasture for dairy and some beef production." Prof Rutherfurd, Charles Sturt University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society. More here:
Save water by becoming vegetarian.
A day's food for a meat eater requires over 15,000L of water
A day's food for a vegetarian requires 5,000L of water
A day's food for a vegan requires 1,500L of water
Above information from the Vegan Society
It is not just the 'Tree Huggers' who are concerned about the impact that the raising, 'production', transportation, feeding and slaughtering of billions of animals is having on the environment and on climate change. A UK Government agency email that was recently leaked, expressed that eating less meat and dairy products would help tackle the problem of climate change. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is considering recommending eating less meat as one of the "key environmental behaviour changes" needed to save the planet. It states: "The potential benefit of a vegan diet in terms of climate impact could be very significant." To read this report click: Go vegan to help climate says Government
From the Animals Australia website
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