{"id":1383,"date":"2023-02-27T14:26:13","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T13:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/?p=1383"},"modified":"2023-02-27T14:26:13","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T13:26:13","slug":"is-animal-agriculture-bad-for-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/is-animal-agriculture-bad-for-the-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Is animal agriculture bad for the environment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Animal agriculture occupies nearly 80% of the world’s farmland and is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions – more than the entire transportation sector. Agriculture is also a major source of other air, water and land pollution. In short, it’s not looking good for the environment.<\/p>\n

The main drivers of environmental degradation from animal agriculture are deforestation, emissions of greenhouse gases, and water and land pollution.<\/p>\n

Deforestation is caused by the need for more farmland to support the ever-growing demand for meat and dairy products. An area twice the size of the U.K. is deforested every year to make way for soybean plantations, the majority of which are used to feed livestock.<\/p>\n

Emissions of greenhouse gases are a major problem because they contribute to climate change. Animal agriculture is responsible for emitting methane and nitrous oxide, both of which are greenhouse gases that are more potent than carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n