Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Methane is 25-100 times more destructive than CO2 on a 20 year time frame. Methane has a global warming potential 86 times that of CO2 on a 20 year time frame.
Livestock is responsible for 65% of all human- related emissions of nitrous oxide – a greenhouse gas with 296 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, and which stays in the atmosphere for 150 years. – Emissions for agriculture projected to increase 80% by 2050.
Energy related emissions expected to increase 20% by 2040. US Methane emissions from livestock and natural gas are nearly equal. Cows produce 150 billion gallons of methane per day.
Converting to wind and solar power will take 20+ years and roughly 43 trillion dollars. Even without fossil fuels, we will exceed our 565 gigatonnes CO2e limit by 2030, all from raising animals.
Reducing methane emissions would create tangible benefits almost immediately. WATER: Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) water use ranges from 70-140 billion gallons annually.
Animal agriculture water consumption ranges from 34-76 trillion gallons annually. Agriculture is responsible for 80-90% of US water consumption. Growing feed crops for livestock consumes 56% of water in the US.
According to a new five-year study out of the University of Oxford – Veganism is the single best bet at saving the planet,
After studying data compiled from nearly 40,000 produce and animal farms in 119 countries, researchers found that plant-based diets were the best way to reduce one’s impact on the planet in the following areas: land use, water use, global acidification, greenhouse gas emissions, and oxygen depletion in water.
Link to facts about animal agriculture’s impact on the environment: http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/