Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for 18
percent of greenhouse gas emissions—more than all
transportation combined. As a primary driver of global
warming—even more than cars—animal agriculture
directly affects the global ocean in two ways. First,
the rising atmospheric temperature raises global
ocean temperatures leading to widespread coral
bleaching. (Bleaching slows coral growth, makes
them susceptible to disease and leads to large-
scale reef die-off). Second, the greater concentration
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases
the acidity of the global ocean handicapping the
extensive roster of marine organisms that build shells
or skeletons.
Fresh water
Industrial animal agriculture is water intensive.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) the production of one hamburger
requires an astounding 660 gallons of water—
the equivalent of 2 months worth of showers. It
is estimated that the meat and dairy industries
combined use nearly a third (29 percent) of all the
fresh water in the world today. According to the EPA,
animal agriculture is the leading cause of ocean dead
zones, species extinction, water pollution, and habitat
destruction.
What can we do in the face of such large-scale
destructive practices that harm the ocean? The
message Mission Blue founder Dr. Sylvia Earle relays
is a simple one: be mindful of your consumption
of meat and dairy. Support good and responsible
The chain reaction due to greater concentration of CO2 in
the atmosphere leads to ocean acidification and
disruption of the marine ecosystem.NGUYEN SON TRA