• Welcome
  

• Meat consumption
  
  
• Landuse implications
  
  
• Water implications
  
  
• Restaurants
  
  
• Food stores
  

• References
  

For a list of restuarants and stores, select link in menu, at left.

Introduction and Overview
As global conditions present greater environmental deterioration and degradation of natural resources, small groups of people and advocacy organizations around the world are contending contemporary lifestyles, particularly those maintained in industrialized countries.  One of the most viable and international trends advocated as a means of minimizing the ecological footprint of the human species on the earth is a lifestyle guided by vegetarianism.  A lifestyle guided by the principles of vegetarianism is freely selected by an individual for a variety of reasons.  A plant-based diet is selected out of desire to enhance personal health, a sense of compassion and respect for non-human species, concern for peace and non-violence, concern for world hunger and concern for environmental sustainability.
Vegetarianism is defined as the practice of remaining on a diet made up primarily or wholly of vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds, with or without eggs and dairy products.  More specifically, a vegetarian sustains a life free of animal flesh – including meat, fish and fowl.  Vegans eliminate all animal products from their diets.  Lacto vegetarians may integrate dairy products, such as eggs – in which case they are named ovo vegetarians – or both dairy products and eggs – in which case they are named lacto-ovo vegetarians.
Although the above reasons for selecting a plant-based diet are all relevant and valuable, a focus will be placed on the beneficial impacts of vegetarianism on the sustainability of the environment.  This website will discuss the over-consumption and the meat industry; basic guidelines that will permit more of a plant-based diet; the land use and water implications of a meat-based diet in comparison to a plant-based diet; and the generation of garbage from farming practices that produce meat.  All of these issues are critical for understanding the environmental benefits associated with vegetarianism.

Goals and Objectives
            The following pages profile the significance of vegetarianism, particularly how it impacts the surrounding environment and contributes to sustainability efforts.  Generally, consumers across North America are not aware of the origins or processes associated with the production of beef.  As such, this website can serve as a resource for learning about how individual’s dietary choices on a local scale negatively impact the land, water, and people on a global level.  The goal of providing this information is to allow people to understand the extent to which their food choices influence – either positively or negatively – the ecosystem.  With this knowledge, consumers can make an informed choice regarding their dietary choices.  Ideally, this information will also motivate individuals to become better informed before purchasing food products to learn the consequences of these choices – such initiatives can be as simple as visiting local farmer’s markets.
            The information was derived from a variety of literary sources – ranging from urban ecology, the principles of vegetarianism, to the environmental impacts of raising livestock.  The references used will not be discussed in detail, however, pertinent information was selected from specific literary and internet sources to generate the information contained in this website.  These references, along with useful links will be fully sited on the References and Links page.