Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should we stop eating meat for the environment?
Position1 of 4

Yes - We should all stop eating meat

This position holds that we should stop eating meat to protect the environment. It argues that livestock production drives deforestation, releases polluting greenhouse gases, fuels antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and causes irreversible water pollution through eutrophication.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Large-scale livestock raising leads to deforestation
    Deforestation caused by cattle raising leads to the release of CO2 by trees and the destruction of animal habitat.
  2. Livestock causes irreversible water eutrophication
    Livestock production has been identified as the major source of land-based nutrient pollution. Pollution from livestock has caused massive algae blooms, that, in turn, kill fishes and aquatic flora.
  3. Livestock production causes antibiotic resistant bacteria
    Livestock are protected and healed from diseases by means of an extensive use of antibiotics. This practice may however cause the birth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Additionally, livestock may be given antibiotics regularly for growth promotion under the guise of "disease prevention," due to a loophole in the FDA's 2017 restriction on antibiotic use.
  4. Livestock releases polluting gases
    Livestock natural production of polluting gases is highly significant as well as not treated adequately