Animal agriculture is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis.This is not just a statement but a harsh reality of our earth that was very much conveyed to the whole world, by almost 1,300 Hollywood guests of Beverly Hilton Hotel, who had entirely plant-based food in their dinner before Golden Globe Awards show a couple of days back.   

More than 14%, Animal agriculture accounts for greenhouse gas emissions — raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the transportation combined. It is also a significant cause of deforestation. Eating plant based food therefore, is the most immediate individual action we can take right now to help protect our planet. This was the message conveyed by the Hollywood fraternity in the award show.

“We don’t think we’ll change the world with one meal, but we decided to take small steps to bring awareness,” Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria told The Hollywood Reporter. “The food we eat the way it is processed and grown and disposed of, all of that contributes to the climate crisis.”

Ironically, Hollywood actors Russell Crowe could not be present to take the award as he was preparing for the bushfires in his home country Australia. In his recorded statement at the event he invoked viewers to move the global workforce to renewable energy. The award winners, nominees, actors and actress each and every one left the stage with their powerful message to save the planet and reduce meat consumption.

Animal agriculture is done to maximize the production of meat while minimizing the cost.  Methods employed to maintain health and improve production may include the use of disinfectants, antimicrobial agents, hormones and vaccines; protein, mineral and vitamin supplements.  Physical restraints, e.g. fences or creeps, are used to control undesirable movement or actions. Till date one third of our biodiversity is lost or on the brink of devastation due to excessive animal agriculture. In fact our world is already struggling today to control the wide spread drastic effect of corona virus epidemic that started from an animal market.

 80% of land is used for animal feed which is driving up emissions and pollutions. Global livestock produce seven to nine times more sewage than humans, most of which is left untreated. They also discharge pesticides, antibiotics, and heavy metals into water systems.

When the whole world is reeling under the threat of the harmful effects of intensive animal farming, the need of maintaining the health and hygiene standards of rearing the livestock naturally is still ignored by the authorities and business entities.

credits - Wikipedia, www.goldenglobe.com, photo ipelc.org