Statistics Concerning Animal Farming

There have been numerous animal rights books citing the ecological damage created from the farming of animals, but I have never published their information because a direct citation is lacking. I cannot take for granted that the information I provide is accurate unless I have a reference from which it was derived. Finally, such information is at hand. Thank you No Compromise.

“On August 15th the BBC reported that scientists at the international conference on water use were set to announce that the continued growth in demand for meat and dairy products around the world is unsustainable.”

Water – More Nutrition Per Drop, a report commissioned by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as input into the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and its 2004-2005 focus on water and related issues reports that:

• A kilogram of grain-fed beef needs at least 15 cubic meters of water
• A kilogram of pulses, roots, or tubers needs 11 cubic meters of water
• A kilogram of citrus fruits needs 1 cubic meter of water
• A kilogram of cereals needs from 0.4 to 3 cubic meters

These findings are also supported by The World Watch Institute’s State of the World 2004 report, which indicates that producing a mere eight ounces of beef requires an incredible 25,000 liters of water. In addition to this exorbitant use of water, the World Watch goes on to indicate:

• A calorie of beef requires 11-17 calories of feed
• 95% of soybean harvest is fed to livestock
• A calorie of beef takes 33% more fossil fuel energy to produce than does a calorie of energy from potatoes
• Belching, flatulent livestock emit 16% of the world’s annual production of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas
• Manure from intensive pig operations stored in lagoons can leak into groundwater or pollute nearby surface water [1]”

Works Cited

1 - No Compromise. “Environmental Groups Report Consumption of Animal Products Unsustainable.” No Compromise. 25 (2004): 7