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The sight of a meadow filled with wildflowers, the sound of water
tumbling over smooth stones, the smell of pine trees, the taste of wild strawberries and
the feel of soft earth underfoot -- nature offers us endless opportunities to "come
to our senses." Now, more than ever, people need places where they can experience the peace, serenity and beauty of nature. What can be done to help prevent wilderness sanctuaries from disappearing? A Texas Master Naturalist, Bonnie Bradshaw has more than
15 years of experience working with community action and environmental organizations. She
first became interested in vegetarianism in 1983. "America's grain-fed-meat-centered
diet is a major factor in natural habitat destruction," explains Ms. Bradshaw. |
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Green Building and Energy-Efficient Homes in DFW |
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A Texas Master Naturalist, Bonnie Bradshaw has more than 15 years of experience working with community action and environmental organizations. She first became interested in vegetarianism in 1983. "America's grain-fed-meat-centered diet is a major factor in natural habitat destruction," explains Ms. Bradshaw. |
Some people believe that livestock waste returns to the soil,
providing nutrients for the crops that the animals eat. Much of the nitrogen-containing
waste from livestock is converted to ammonia and into nitrates, which leach into the
groundwater or run directly into surface water. In streams and lakes, high levels of waste
runoff contribute to oxygen depletion and algae overgrowth. American livestock contributes
twice as much harmful organic waste to water pollution as all other industries combined. Ironically,
corn -- the major feed grain -- uses more fertilizer than any other crop. Higher yields
and continuous cropping deplete soil nutrients, so that ever greater quantities of
synthetic fertilizer must be used. Email here Dallas-Fort Worth Vegetarian Education Network. |
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