Hello, my name is Olivia Heersink, and it’s been almost two months since I last ate meat.
To the average reader, that tidbit of information might seem odd, uninteresting or what sounds like the opening to some type of anonymous meeting. But to those of you who know my love of chicken nuggets, it’s pretty suprising.
Growing up, most family meals often centered around a meat dish — chicken, pork or beef — making it one my favorite components, which I have discussed my love for at length several times.
Vegetarianism was something I never thought of, let alone considered, especially since I’ve definitely swooned at the sight of pot roast and even drooled at the smell of bacon.
But all of that changed once I entered college.
Olivia Heersink | Argonaut
I was suddenly inundated with a surplus of information, and I began to realize the impact of something as simple as eating a steak, which statistically can be more harmful than driving a car.
Time Magazine reports the livestock industry uses around one-third of the world’s fresh water supply and “accounts for 75 percent of the global emissions from cattle … and 56 percent of the global emissions from poultry and pigs.”
“There may be no other single human activity that has a bigger impact on the planet than the raising of livestock,” Time author Bryan Walsh writes.
In terms of personal health, meat consumption can significantly increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, according to the World Health Organization. It also decreases your overall life expectancy.
“Vegetarian men live to an average of 83.3 years, compared with non-vegetarian men who live to an average of 73.8 years,” according to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. “(While) vegetarian women live to an average of 85.7 years, which is 6.1 years longer than non-vegetarian women.”
Upon learning this, I began considering a change in my lifestyle. Still, I kept shrugging it aside. I thought it would be too difficult and more damaging to my health by cutting out those crucial proteins that our bodies don’t make naturally or get from other types of food.
After careful research, I realized just how wrong I was. During this past summer, thoughts turned into actions. I finally decided to make the switch.
I do love meat, and I often think about a good steak. But at the end of the day, I love the planet much more.
In just two months, I have saved over 34 animals and 268 pounds of carbon dioxide, according to Vegetarian Calculator, an online resource that showcases the impact a person makes by cutting out meat. Imagine the impact the millions of other vegetarians out there are making.
On a personal level, I feel healthier and more awake, as well as happier knowing I’m making a conscious effort to better our world and all its inhabitants.
I’m not advocating that everyone should become a vegetarian — unless you want to — but cutting back on meat, especially beef, can do the planet a wonder of good.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @heersinkolivia