energy use in meat production
Energy used in meat production stages:
(1) grow massive amounts of corn, grain, and soybeans (with all the required tilling, irrigation, crop dusters, and so on)
(2) transport the grain and soybeans to manufacturers of feed on gas-guzzling, pollution-spewing 18-wheelers
(3) operate the feed mills (requiring massive energy expenditures)
(4) transport the feed to the factory farms (again, in inefficient vehicles)
(5) operate the factory farms
(6) truck the animals many miles to slaughter
(7) operate the slaughterhouse
(8) transport the meat to processing plants
(9) operate the meat-processing plants
(10) transport the meat to grocery stores
(11) keep the meat refrigerated or frozen in the stores, until it’s sold
Every single stage involves heavy pollution, massive amounts of greenhouse gases, and massive amounts of energy.
(taken from http://www.goveg.com/environment-wastedResources-energy.asp)
other resources:
“It’s better to green your diet than your car”
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/mg18825304.800.html
“So You’re an Environmentalist; Why Are You Still Eating Meat?”
http://www.alternet.org/story/12162
FactoryFarming.com
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/issues/factoryfarming/
