A new piece in Mother
Jones exposes the loophole that allows the meat industry to avoid
accountability for its pollution:
Jones exposes the loophole that allows the meat industry to avoid
accountability for its pollution:
In its latest appropriations bill
passed in December, Congress renewed a provision that prevents the
Environmental Protection Agency from requiring emission reports from livestock
producers. The move came only days after US officials stressed to other
governments the importance of accurate reporting at the Paris climate
negotiations.
The meat industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than
all forms of transportation combined. This exemption allows the U.S. government
to ignore the grave consequences of raising animals for food.
all forms of transportation combined. This exemption allows the U.S. government
to ignore the grave consequences of raising animals for food.
With the U.S. government collecting data from 41 other
sectors, it’s clear that this exception serves only one purpose: to protect the
meat industry from rightful scrutiny.
sectors, it’s clear that this exception serves only one purpose: to protect the
meat industry from rightful scrutiny.
According to a 2013 study, “The United States is
underreporting its total greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations by
about 4 percent per year as a result of bad livestock data—nearly equivalent to
the entire emissions of Spain, the author explains.
underreporting its total greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations by
about 4 percent per year as a result of bad livestock data—nearly equivalent to
the entire emissions of Spain, the author explains.
Greenhouse gas emissions are far from the only concern raised
by factory farms. In addition to devastating the planet, they subject billions
of animals to cruelties few of us can even imagine, including extreme
confinement, mutilations without painkillers, and a ruthless slaughter.
by factory farms. In addition to devastating the planet, they subject billions
of animals to cruelties few of us can even imagine, including extreme
confinement, mutilations without painkillers, and a ruthless slaughter.
See for yourself:
The best action consumers can take to protect the planet and
animals on factory farms is to adopt a healthy and compassionate vegan diet.
animals on factory farms is to adopt a healthy and compassionate vegan diet.
Click here for
delicious recipes, tips on making the transition, and more!
delicious recipes, tips on making the transition, and more!
