Everyone is Responsible~Everyone can Change

This article was written by UMADBRO on 2011-12-19 under Member Pages.

_{Hello, posters. Thank you for taking the time to read my article.}

In a recent article, and other articles that have spanned out through time, I have seen a consistant theme: 'Humans are responsible for destroying Earth.' The more I think of things, the more that ideology becomes ironic and almost comical. Do we not all live on Earth? Do we not all inhabit bodies to exist physically on Earth?

No matter what kind of soul a person has, everyone is responsible for the condition of this planet; if you are sitting at your computer looking at this, you are inhabiting a body and using resources.

Before a difference can be made, everyone must first realize that their actions lead to consequences, whether good or bad.

Food Consumption:

Lets take a look at the impact the food industry has on people and the earth.

Meat/Dairy Industry:

How many times a week do you consume meat/dairy products? In order for you to go to your favorite fast food/dine in restaurant, or eat at home, certain processes are what allows you to have meat and dairy products so conveniently, depending on where you live.

1. Where's the beef?

-The US beef industry conducts business in all 50 states and operates 800,000 individual farms and ranches

-In July, 2003, an estimated 104.3 million cattle existed within the United States.

-Beef is the number 1 protein consumed by Americans, according to the USDA.

-In the tropical regions of Asia and South and Central America, large portions of rainforests are burned and cleared in order to set up pastures for cattle production.

-Cattle grazing of the Western part of the US is blamed as being the main cause of desertification (process in which fertile land becomes desert).

-In order to take care of grain-fed beef (what most beef you consume is, unless strictly organic and free-range), 16 pounds of wheat and up to 2500 gallons of water are necessary to produce just 1 pound of beef. 

-Fossil fuels are also used to produce beef; an estimated gallon of gas is used per pound of beef.

2. Pork Industry

-When a pig is butchered, worms and insects take to its meat sooner and faster than to other animal's flesh. In a few days the pig meat is full of worms.

-Pigs eat absolutely anything, including garbage, decaying meat, and even abnormal cell growth on other pigs.

-The US Pork Industry marketed an estimated number of more than 121 million hogs in 2008.

-Iowa is the number 1, pork producing state.

-In 1995, an environmental catastrophe in North Carolina known as the '1995 New River Hog-waste spill' poured 25 million gallons of pig waste into the New River, killing an estimated 10-14 million fish and ruining 364,000 acres of coastal shellfishing beds.

-Hog waste spills can spread the dangerous microbe 'Pfiesteria piscicida', which has been responsible for killing an estimated billion fish in North Carolina waters alone.

3. Poultry Industry

-North Carolina is ranked number 1 in poultry production

-50 billion eggs are produced each year in the US.

-8 billion chickens are consumed each year in the US.

-In an observation recorded in 2009, an estimated 325 eggs are produced by a single hen.

-Indiana is ranked number 1 in duck production.

-An estimated 45 million turkeys are consumed each year in the Thanksgiving time period in the US.

-To make Foi Gras, a popular gourmet dish, geese and ducks are horrifically beaten and abused, an abusive process that is said to 'tenderize the liver.'

-Dry fecal waste from poultry in the US adds up to a whopping 8.8 million tons.

-Some birds are labelled as 'unfit' for marketting; this leads to an anual 37 million dead birds in the US.

4. Dairy Industry:

-All 50 states in the US have dairy farms.

-The average dairy cow produces enough milk each day to fill 6, one gallon jugs of milk; about 55 pounds.

-The average cow drinks about 30-50 gallons of water per day.

-Cheese production was ranked 3rd for being the most harmful animal product produced that affects the environment.

You may be thinking, 'A lot of complicated stuff happens to produce the meat we eat', but there are easy ways for everyone to help reduce the environmental impact the Meat Industry causes.

1. Look for certified, organic labels. Organic meat and dairy is free of harmful antibiotics that can enter the water system and harm your body.

2. Boycott companies known for absurd treatment of animals and harmful practice. Companies such as Tyson and Ecrich Farms are notorious for providing animals with horrid living conditions that can leave meat products filled with nasty bacteria from waste. Tyson also uses a process in which they sterilize the chicken meat with amonia before further processing it. Knowing how your food is processed and where it comes from should be critical.

3. Look for Free-Range products. These products may be a bit more expensive and more hard to find, but at least you know the meat you eat has been raised naturally and has not been grain fed, a process that wastes tons of grain that could feed less fortunate people in 3rd-World countries.

4. Reduce your consumption of meat. Our bodies weren't meant to eat so much meat in the first place, and from experience, I can guarantee that if you cut out at least 1-3 servings of meat a week and replace it with vegetarian options, you will feel more energetic than usual and your digestive system will thank you.

 

Agricultural Industry (plant-based food production):

Many people think that being a Vegan or Vegetarian puts them in a safe spot in terms of environmental impact. This practice may reduce some of each person's environmental impact, but it does not reduce all. In order to produce enough plant-based food for all of the populace, large crops are grown and some pesticides are used to keep the food alive and well.

-Agricultural crops are responsible for occupying 40% of the Earth's land surface.

-Land clearing for crops leads to deforestation, a process that also reduces the Earth's biodiversity (abundance of species within ecosystems).

-Genetically-Modified crops (GMO's) are also said to reduce biodiversity, because other, more natural forms of plants cannot compete with their modified counterparts.

-Agricultural crops are being blamed as a major factor in soil erosion.

-Fertilizers from agricultural crops tend to runoff into natural water sources; eutrophication often occurs, because the fertilizers encourage the growth of algea which feed on the water's oxygen supply. This is a major cause of why 'dead zones' in the ocean occur; the fish run out of oxygen to survive.

-Huge amounts of synthetic pesticides pose a risk to not only human health, but the health of animals within natural habitats surrounding crops.

-Herbicides used on crops are responsible for killing many perinial and anual plant species within ecosystems surrounding crops.

-Agriculture consumes approximately 70% of the world's fresh water supply that is withdrawn for human consumption.

The environmental impact the agricultural industy has on the Earth is pretty hefty, but simple habits and practices can reduce the impact that big business has on the world.

1. Buy certified organic! When you buy organic produce from a trustworthy brand, you can bet that your produce will be free of synthetic pesticides.

2. Know what kind of produce you purchase. Even if produce is labeled as 'organic', there is still a chance that the produce in question is a GMO, aka genetically modified. Usually, GMO foods look brighter and bigger than normal. Corporations such as Walmart are a big supplier of GMO foods.

3. If possible, make your own garden! Speaking from experience, I can say that food I have grown myself is much better than food bought in the grocery store. I have grown oranges, lemons, limes, different herbs, and vegetables: you won't get anything fresher or better than what you grow at your own home.

 

I've covered the basics of the Food Industry. If I went any further, I would probably end up typing up a book about it. Lets move on to a few general areas in which everyone uses resources.

 

Other Resources:

Water:

-Out of all the water in the world, only 1% is suitable for drinking water.

-Throughout each year, an estimated 100,000 gallons of water are used in each residency in the US.

-2-7 gallons of water are used to flush a toilet.

-For the average 5 minute shower, about 15-25 gallons of water are used. Double this amount with each 5 minutes that passes from the original 5 minute mark.

-9-20 gallons of water is used to do dishes.

To reduce the amount of water you use, certain practices and habits can be incorporated into your daily routine to reduce the amount of water you consume/waste.

1. When brushing your teeth, ONLY use the water when you need to rinse your mouth.

2. When doing dishes, hand wash them more often than using the dishwasher. Don't fill the sink up with water, either. Just fill it up to a pracitical level that gets the dishes clean, but doesn't waste water.

3. When showering, try to do certain things beforehand. Girls could shave before showering and wash their hair outside of the shower, and in the sink.

Energy Usage:

-When you use a laptop, it can take around 47 Watts of energy.

-Even though appliances are turned off, if plugged in, they still use a very low amount of energy.

-Americans consume 26% of the world's energy.

-The demand for energy grows about 3% each year.

-Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy usage in the average home.

-18% of total emissions comes from our homes.

-While you browse this website and others, you are contributing to the 868 billion Kilo-Watt hours spent each year on a worldwide basis; this energy alone is for the internet.

This is a lot of energy. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to reduce the world's energy consumption-- every little bit helps. Your habits may even bring about a revolutionary change.

1. When appliances are not in use and are turned off, unplug them! This will not only reduce the amount of energy they suck up, but it will also reduce your/your parents' electricity bill.

2. Only set your air conditioner or heater to an appropriate temperature. Installing shades on windows and ceiling fans will help your house stay cool in the summer. Well insulated walls will help your house stay warm in the winter, too.

3. Do something constructive! In today's society, too many kids are turned into zombie slaves of television, video games, and the internet. Instead of gluing your eyes to these devices, get outside and do something, read a book, or spend time with your family and friends.

4. Washing clothing with cold water will reduce more time and energy spent than washing clothing in hot water.

Your Ride:

-In 2004, the US Energy Information Administration reported gasoline usage to be at an estimated daily consumption rate of about 391 million gallons.

-An average passenger vehicle produces 5.2 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide per year.

-In the US, the total amount of Carbon Dioxide produced by vehicles equals about 1,300,000,000 metric tons per year.

-Worldwide, the total amount of Carbon Dioxide produced by vehicles equals about 4,160,000,000 metric tons per year.

-Due to the spacing of the US, vehicles are a 'necesary evil' in order to reach destinations quickly.

-The US contributes to the most vehicle usage worldwide.

That is a lot of Carbon Dioxide. In order to reduce the amount of CO2 produced, a few good habits can help everyone live a greener, healthier life.

1. If you can, carpool! If several people are going to the same destination, see if someone would volunteer to drive everyone to the destination, instead of using multiple vehicles. If you're worried about fairness, have everyone chip in a certain amount of gas money.

2. If you can, get some exercise! If there is a place that is within walking distance and you are able to reach your destination using sidewalks, do so! You can also ride your bicycle. This will not only reduce carbon emissions, but will also be a great form of exercise in this society full of couch potatoes and convenience.

3. Use public transportation. Many cities offer public transportation, such as a bus system. Use these services to your advantage.

 

Other Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:

1. Reduce. Instead of wanting the newest, best trinket or piece of technology, look for things that are sturdy and will last for a long time. Buying real dishes instead of disposable dishes is a great way to reduce the amount of trash that is built up by each person.

2. Reuse. See that old tin can? Give it to your dad to store nails or screws for his tool supply. New fashions tend to recycle. Save clothing for styles that come back in season, instead of chasing every trend. Give old clothes and other items you don't use anymore to the people who are less fortunate than you; Goodwill and Women's Refuge places are good to donate clothing and furniture.

3. Recycle. Paper, plastic, glass, and mixed metals ALL can be recycled. If your community does not already have a recycling system, try looking for places that will accept these materials. Sometimes, they will even give you money for dropping off your used recycleable material.

 

In order to be the change you seek, you must first develop the positive habits associated with the change. If people do not understand how to care for the land where they live, how can anyone expect them to know how to care for it if the population is reduced, and that is the only action taken? The answer is simple-- no one can expect any positive change.

Until fingers are stopped being pointed for blame and we all accept our responsibility, a positive impact cannot occur.

It has been said that a habit is developed after practicing the behavior daily for about a month. It is also said that people will imitate other people. When we practice a sustainable lifestyle ourselves, other people will catch on and do the same. Through this method, more people will actively unite to help create a thriving society within a thriving world.

'You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.'- Nelson Mandela

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A.

 

_Sources:

 

_{America’s Beef Producers}

_{Sierra Club Foundation}

_{Iowa Pork Producer’s Foundation}

_{The Environmental Magazine}

_{North Carolina Poultry Federation}

_{Purdue University- Agriculture Department}

_NBCI

_{Green Meadow Farms Inc.}

_ABNE

_{The EPA}

_{Cornell University}

_{Huffington Post}

_{The New York Times}

_{US Energy Information Administration}

 

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