Because of the American consumer (you and I) wanting quicker and cheaper means to obtain edible meat, living conditions and diets of these animals have been negatively impacted. There are many industrial farms where these animals never see the light of day, feel the warmth of the sun, or feel the refreshing rain. They live unable to lie down, standing in traces of their own feces, under constant electrical lighting with the sounds of machines grinding in the background. Animals that have forever been vegetarians such as cows, are now fed their own species remains. In order to live longer and be larger they are injected with hormones, antibiotics, and other supplements. Fact: Ten times more energy, water, and grain is needed to produce a pound of beef or pork than to produce a pound of milk or cheese.

Developing countries ecosystems are being permanently altered to clear land for cheap cattle farming to feed the American consumer. Most notably fast-food restaurants, who buy the majority of their meat from Central and South American farmers who clear-cut their native forests. The loss of these forests in the Americas' not only impact the people, animals, and ecosystems but Africa as well. Clouds that once formed over these rainforests and blew over the Atlantic to bring rain to Africa have reduced tremendously. What does this mean? Increased starvation for many African nations; the Sahara desert grows larger by thousands of acres every year.

Many of the small pleasures in our life that we take for granted are literally ruining the means to live for others across the globe. It might not be possible for everyone to completely change their diet but starting by reducing your consumption of red meat by a small amount can have a huge impact.

I encourage you to do a small part and help us reverse this ever-growing trend of useless wanton consumerism our nation has grown accustomed to. Sign this pledge and promise to do your part in sustaining the Earth and its inhabitants.