Being vegetarian means being good toward the environment! Yes, that’s true. But then the question arises - how or why. Well, the US Geological Survey data shows that it takes 150 gallons of water to produce one quarter-pound hamburger.

Whereas, it takes 20 gallons of water toward producing one egg, 60 to 100 gallons for producing 1 pound of wheat, 10 gallons toward producing 1 pound of chicken, and 1 gallon for producing one orange.

So, if one wants to reduce the human impact on the environment, they should avoid eating meat. This is the simplest and cheapest thing anyone can do. Hence, undoubtedly, it is beneficial for all. Here we are listing some key environmental benefits of vegetarianism to validate the above point.

Some key environmental benefits of vegetarianism are:

• Reduced Global Warming

Undoubtedly, in the entire human history, global warming poses one of the most serious threats to the environment. Major environmental organizations have failed to consider data showing that other gases besides carbon dioxide (which is mostly focused upon) are the main culprits behind global warming we see today.

Therefore, adopting a vegetarian diet is the single most important step an individual can take to reduce global warming (faster than any other means).

Moreover, the United Nations said in its 2006 report that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.

• Reduced Animal-Waste Runoff and Groundwater Pollution

Animal farms, especially large-scale ones, produce tonnes of waste that can drain into the soil and pollute groundwater sources.

According to the author of “The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home” (a long-time conservationist Terra Wellington), animal-waste pollution pumps harmful nitrogen, phosphorous, and antibiotics into rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.

According to Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit that promotes the ethical treatment of farm animals, animals raised on large-scale farms generate more than 1 million tons of manure each day that is three times the amount generated by the US population.

• Preserved Precious Land Resources

According to a non-profit that works to protect farm animals Mercy For Animals-

Raising animals for food uses up 30 percent of the Earth’s land mass, including area allocated for growing feed crops and grazing. 

And, according to the animal rights group PETA-

Of all the agricultural land in the US, 80 percent is reserved for raising animals for food and growing grains to feed them.

• Reduced Destruction of Wildlife Habitats & Endangered Species

Especially for widespread deforestation and cultivation of vast tracks of land, the livestock industry is responsible. No doubt, widespread cultivation of the land ruins animals’ natural habitat and also forces millions of them to be evicted from their homes each year. It causes long-term harm to our wildlife.

• Large Amounts of Water is Saved

To produce a kilo of beef, estimated water required is about 13,000 liters to 100,000 liters. On the other hand, water required to produce a kilo of wheat is somewhere between 1,000-2,000 liters.

• Meat is Costly in Many Ways

Surveys recommend that around 5-6% of the population eats no meat at all. Many millions of others consciously reduce the amount of meat they eat or occasionally eat it.

However, the average British carnivore eats over 11,000 animals in a lifetime: 1 goose, 1 rabbit, 4 cattle, 18 pigs, 23 sheep and lambs, 28 ducks, 39 turkeys, 1158 chickens, 3593 shellfish and 6182 fish. These stats are according to the Vegetarian Society.

And, most importantly, it has been found that meat eaters have high risks of getting obesity, cancer, heart diseases, and other illnesses. Also, they burn a hole in the pocket as we all know that a meat diet is generally very expensive compared to a vegetarian one.

Take Home Thoughts

“I like animals, all animals. I wouldn't hurt a cat or a dog - or a chicken or a cow. And I wouldn't ask someone else to hurt them for me. That's why I'm a vegetarian.”
Peter Dinklage

Couldn’t agree more! And so, the above points prove that how or why being vegetarian is beneficial or good to the environment.