The Environmental Concerns of the Livestock Industry The United States leads the way in a global trend toward increased meat consumption. The averageAmerican consumes almost twice his or her own body weight in meat every year. World meat production hassurged nearly fivefold in the last fifty years, from 44 millions tons in 1950, to 211 million tons in 1997. Thisgrowing manufacturing of meat for food is creating new pressures on land and water resources, contributing towater pollution, and intensifying global warming (Worldwatch Institute). The media places emphasis on the environmental damage caused by oil spills, pollutants emitted frommotor vehicles, ozone depletion, and acid rain. The environmental concerns associated with the manufacturing ofnuclear power and paper products are widely-known. Commonly overlooked are the hazardous effects of raisinganimals for food. The livestock industry has many negative effects on the environment, including pollution of theair, land, and water resources. The improvement of management practices in the livestock industry can lead to thereduction of harmful effects on the environment, and at the same time, i

In the effort to promote clean air through economic growth, the GLG bringstogether crucial technological, business, financial, and marketing skills to form projects that help farmers accesscost-effective and proven technologies to maximize gain and income from their animals and limited resources. Improved management strategies at theproduction level will be key in the quest to protect our environment. Domesticated ruminant (cud-chewing) animals, with an ever-increasing population, constitute the largestsource of anthropogenic methane emissions. The bill, known as theEnvironmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), provides technical assistance with waste cleanup to livestockoperators. There are also additional benefits associated with using improved management practices. In addition, the waste is full of theheavy metals that are added to feed, which then accumulate in the soil in serious proportions and lead to waterpollution (Animal Rights Resource Site). The GLG offers business advisory services designed to achievewidespread methane reduction. The bottom line is that improved livestock management is good for both the environment andprofits (Environmental Protection Agency). In addition,the simply policy of decreasing meat consumption can aid in the rejuvenation of our natural resources. Vast ecosystems have been altered in order to support livestock populations. Others support the idea that it is a structure issue, and that big factory farmsshould be able to call on investors to pay for waste management facilities (National Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences). The GLG also develops and implements technological innovations designed to reduce methaneproduction. A potential effect of climatechange includes increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, drought, and severe storms. Farmers are eligible to receiveas much as $10,000 a year, with a cap of $50,000 (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Factory farming needs to becomeenvironmentally, economically, and socially responsible (EarthSave International).

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