Article Title: “What would happen if the world suddenly went vegetarian?” Publication by: BBC Date of Publication: December 27, 2016 Author of Article: Rachel Nuwer The article “What would happen if the world suddenly went vegetarian?,” is about… well, it is pretty self-explanatory. This article takes you through the pros and cons of this sudden “change.” Showing you the dramatic benefits, but the drastic reformation that comes with it. Carbon emissions and human health have been constantly getting worse as time goes on. From global warming to obesity to ocean acidification to cancer. All these problems are at a stable incline and are not considered a priority. What we eat has a lot to do with these problems. If the whole world went vegetarian, vegan, or even just plant-based overnight there would huge benefits. “Global vegetarianism would stave off about 7 million deaths per year, while total veganism would knock that estimate up to 8 million.” Not only is human health affected, but carbon emissions also decrease. “If everyone became vegetarian by 2050. The results indicate that – largely thanks to the elimination of red meat – food-related emissions would drop by about 60%. If the world went vegan instead, emissions declines would be around 70%.” You might be reluctant to give up meat, but “these are dietary changes consumers would barely notice, like having a just-slightly-smaller piece of meat,” Jarvis says. “It’s not this either-or, vegetarian-or-carnivore scenario.” Becoming vegetarian overnight is not a perfect solution, these benefits come with quite a bit of change. A universal nutritionally appropriate substitute (plant variety) would need to replace meat. Plus, what would happen to the people who have jobs revolving around raising livestock and poultry? These workers would need to be subsidized and the actual jobs would need to be modified into culturing and replenishing the land. There are many other changes, such as cultural, that would be affected by this change. Now here is the question, are all the changes worth the health of the human race and the Earth itself? This realization applies to Earth and all of its people, therefore, it is present within all countries. Modifying the human diet to benefit the Earth’s and human’s current and long-term health, has been a written solution for many years. Yet, it has been shut down due to stereotyping of vegetarianism and veganism. Big corporate business are also putting this option down through labeling and consistently hiding the truth from the public eye. As I have previously stated, multiple results from studies have shown the benefits of these diets/lifestyles. I am not telling you to go vegetarian or vegan, but I want you to ask yourself could you do it? Why? Why not? Personally, I follow a plant-based vegan lifestyle and the rest of my family has transitioned into a plant-based lifestyle. Wait, do you even know what plant-based means? I know that “plant-based” might sound scary to you omnivores, or even carnivores, out there but it is not. A plant-based diet is a diet, rather a lifestyle, that does not cut out meat entirely, meat just is not the main dish for every meal. In the end, you eat more plants and smaller amounts and portions of meat. Not only does this make your bodies system healthier, but it allows the earth to catch up and heal itself from the excessive amount of carbon emissions the humans produce. Plus, it allows for livestock to transfer into a more natural life. Basically, the livestock will become animals again. Once again, I am not trying to convince you to go vegetarian or vegan, but I will ask you to consider and at least try a plant-based diet. One person can make a big difference. Will that person be you? Comments on other class members blog post:Hailey Senna:
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Elisabeth DukesThis blog page is designed to address current events in today's society. These topics addressed are universal issues, innovations, discoveries, etc. This blog will also be a reflection source for the current independent books I am reading. |