Why I’m a Veggiesaur

Also known as a ‘vegetarian’ to everyone other than Drewsky.

The fact that I only eat fish (see: pescovegetarian*) comes up a lot. I guess that’s because eating is pretty common and traditionally is something we share with others, as a way to bond and connect. Living in a society where meat is considered not only a staple of, but usually the main dish in, every meal, people notice pretty quickly that my meals leave out that oh-so-vital ingredient, which leads to natural questions of why. I’ve gotten pretty good at giving quick explanations, but I always wish I had more numbers and examples memorized to beef up my reasoning a bit. Most people tell me my reasons actually make sense, although I’ve run into one or two who tell me I’m full of B.S. So, to share those stats I just don’t have memorized, and to give a more in-depth explanation and proof to those who straight up tell me I’m wrong, I’d like to share a few sites that can explain this better than I can. Plus, I can’t help hoping that anyone who takes the time to chew on and digest this information might be willing to cut back his or her meat consumption just a little bit. It doesn’t take much of a change, as some of these sites will point out, to really cut into the energy and land crises created by our meat consumption.

These links will all give you more or less the same information, though it’s worth skimming through all of them, as some give more statistics, others give more explanation. I’ve listed them from least-wordy to most.

http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/resources.html
http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/why.html
http://www.thevegetariansite.com/env_animalfarming.htm

While the sites I’m offering ARE all pro-veggie/vegan, the information they provide is fairly irrefutable and widely accepted. Regardless of if you like the information to which I’m directing you, facts are kinda facts: meat production requires a lot more energy, water and land than just producing the crops, dairy and eggs required for vegetarian diets. The typical meat-based American diet is terrible for our earth and world population, particularly from the standpoints of energy efficiency and sustainability.

*I don’t know as much about the production/farming of fish as I should, but I’ve no doubt (especially living in the Midwest) that my consumption of fish undoes quite a bit of the energy efficiency I create(?) by not eating meat. However, I continue eating fish for the Omega 3 benefits, among others. I hope to one day cut fish out of my diet entirely, but I just haven’t balanced my diet well enough yet to do so safely.