Vegetarianism

I'm vegetarian, but you don't have to be.

Before I get to why you don't have to be vegetarian, I'll explain why I am, in somewhat of an evangelical* way. Next, I will explain the problem with that way of thinking. Before we start, here's a link to this week's StuFLaW. Anyway, let's dive in.

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From this great article by The Daily Campus.

My Vegetarianism Story

I went through a big animal-rights phase in third (maybe fourth) grade. After rationing meat (I allowed myself two servings per week) for a while, I eventually made the full conversion at the beginning of that summer. I've now been vegetarian for five (maybe four) years. I'm not the strictest vegetarian,** but I definitely eat a meat-light diet. I also did the seven-day vegan challenge once.***

The Case for Vegetarianism

One obvious argument for vegetarianism is that of animal rights. This argument is fairly simple. Animals deserve not to die for food. Conditions on farms are horrible, and we simply shouldn't support meat producers. 

Another reason that's often glossed over but is, in my opinion, even more important has to do with the byproducts associated with the production of meat. Below is a chart of the different causes of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.**** See agriculture right there? The mainstream narrative is that it's all because of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a primary contributor, but they certainly aren't responsible for all of it. According to a report by the UN, "our diets and, specifically, the meat in them cause more greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and the like to spew into the atmosphere than either transportation or industry." Going vegetarian is, in fact, one of the easiest and most effective things that you can do to deal with climate change.

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It requires over 5,000 liters of water to produce just one pound of beef. Meat uses a tremendous amount of water, especially when compared to other aspects of our diet. Reducing consumption of meat would also help to use our water more efficiently.

The Problem with this Argument

I imagine that many of you understand the logic behind why I am a vegetarian, and are convinced that avoiding meat would be net positive for you or for our society. The problem with the argument***** is that it sort of presents two choices: continue eating meat and do nothing, or become a vegan climate change activist. Many people don't want to become vegan climate change activists; even if they did, it's difficult to do right away. Therefore, I present to you another way:

You don't have to cut out meat permanently and completely to make a change. But the next time you are at a crossroads,****** and you can eat either a meat dish or a vegetarian dish, and no one will blame you, no matter which one you choose, just go for the veggie dish. It's those small choices that add up, and you won't regret it. Again, I don't suggest you go vegetarian necessarily. All you have to do is recognize that you eat a bit more meat than you need to******* and eat a little bit less, and you will have made a difference.

Thanks for reading what I wrote. Remember to eat a little bit less meat.

–beautifulthorns

Originally aired May 22, 2019

*Evangelical has this connotation of Christianity. To me, all that believing something evangelically means is that you believe something and try to convince other people they should believe it to. For example, evangelical Christians try to convince other people to be Christian as well. 

**This is an understatement. The short list of meat I eat without a second thought include:

- Sushi

- The Fish Taco Especial at Rubio's

- Steaks from Benihana, though I haven't been there in years

- Meat that would otherwise go to waste

***The seven-day vegan challenge is one of those things that, like TED talks, is a lot cooler to have said you did than to actually do. 

****This chart is no longer on the EPA website, courtesy of Scott Pruitt.

*****PETA messes this up too. By talking about "wearing vegan" and "speciesism" they're missing some "moderate" people like myself who think animals don't have enough rights, but don't want to "wear vegan."

******Or a restaurant.

*******Assuming you do. Hi my vegetarian/vegan readers!