Vegetarian Is A Good Way to Save The World

           According to the reading, ”can vegetarians save the world,” the author thinks people should reduce the amount of meat and dairy and become vegetarian in order to protect the planet from being destroyed. The author provides three reasons to support his opinion. First, the author said that demand for meat is rising, the global livestock sector is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and it produces too many wastes. Second, since the global livestock sector was one of the most serious environmental problems, the author believes that if people changed their diets and reduced the amount of meat and dairy, they would have a positive impact on the planet. Third, not only do environmentalists emphasize this topic, but also the government and authorities are going to act and can stop helping this industry.

In the reading, some people may agree with the statement that vegetarian can save the world while other people disagree. Since the habits of diet for people from different countries are different, sometimes changing the diet may be not easy to carry out. As far as I am concerned, I agree that vegetarians can save the world because: first, the agricultural run-off from animal wastes pollutes the environment like oceans and rivers; second, the population in the world continues to increase. Changing people’s diets will have a significant and positive influence on the environment; and third, the government or authority in many countries would be together to take actions and make some rules to help people change their diets.

First of all, the author said that the global livestock sector is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and that demand for meat is rising constantly. Besides, the methane produced by the 1.5 million cows and 1.7 billion sheep amounts to 37 percent of anthropogenic methane gas emissions. Furthermore, the meat production was doing as much damage to the environment as cars and housing since the energy and land are needed to rear animals. Therefore, people have to decrease the amount of feeding the livestock. For example, if more people become vegetarian, the pollution or waste from the livestock will become less. The more vegetarians there are, the less waste or garbage people will create. In short, vegetarians can help people to save the planet.

In addition, as we know, the population in the world is constantly rising. If people can control their population or change their diets, people will have a positive impact on the environment, but it is difficult to control the population so we can encourage people to change their diets first. For instance, vegetables are healthier than meat. When changing their diet, people can not only have a good body but also they can have a good influence on the planet. Hence, it will be easier for people to accept the change about their diet. In a word, vegetarianism is a good way to save the planet.

Last but not least, not only should the public take the vegetarian diets into practice but also the government and the authorities should manage to find a way to help people change their diets. Take Europe as an example. In Europe, according to the author, the government subsidizes 30 billion euros into the meat and dairy industries and 40 percent of wheat is eaten by animals. Therefore, government should stop subsidizing the industry. If all things are done, people will be able to easily reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, lacking the subsidy from the government, people will have to change their diets due to the rising cost. In short, by the effort of the government and the public, the greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced.

In conclusion, reducing the amount of meat is needed. Furthermore, changing people’s diets will cause a good influence on the environment. Finally, by the effort of the government and authority, people will be gently pushed to become vegetarian. Based on the reasons stated above, I agree with the statement that vegetarian can save the world.

Reference:

Newspaper

Western Daily Press (2007, June 16) Can vegetarians save the world? Retrieved May 22, 2009, from LexisNexis database