September '09 Full Moon

Where's the beef?????

Hopefully not on your plate!

Greenhouse gas emission

The production of 1 pound of meat emits the same amount of greenhouse gasses as driving an SUV 40 miles!

Fossil fuel consumption

More than 1/3 of all fossil fuels produced in the United States go towards animal agriculture. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the production of one calorie of animal protein requires more than ten times the fossil fuel input as a calorie of plant protein.

Rainforest destruction

The United States imports roughly 200 million pounds of beef from Central America every year. A Smithsonian study estimates that the necessity for more grazing land means that every minute of every day, a land area equivalent to seven football fields is destroyed in the Amazon basin. For each hamburger that originated from animals raised on rainforest land, approximately 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed.

Water consumption

One pound of beef requires an input of approximately 2500 gallons of water, whereas a pound of soy requires 250 gallons of water and a pound of wheat only 25 gallons. Meat production is inefficient as it requires the consumption of an extensive amount of resources over many months and years before becoming a usable food product. With the water used to produce a single hamburger, you could take a luxurious shower every day for two and a half weeks.

Now, I think most of you know that I am a vegetarian, but I'm not suggesting you change your whole life right here and now. But based on the info cited above, just think what a help it would be to the environment if every American gave up just one meat-based meal a week! Hey, check out the recipes here: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/

Maybe you'll LIKE it!!!

With the energy needed to produce a single hamburger, you could drive a small car twenty miles. Next time you’re craving a burger, think about the fabulous road trip you could take!