Environment and Diet

By Jennifer Gross (‎Jen‎)
Date: Saturday June 7, 2008 11:00
Duration: 50 minutes

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And Lisa Kemmerer

This talk will focus on the environmental impacts associated with factory farming. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) contribute to the pollution of air, water, and soil. The storage of manure for fertilization emits dangerous levels of four toxic gases into the atmosphere. Manure and urine combined with water create “lagoons” that often leach groundwater or spill over to contaminate lakes, rivers, and streams. Nitrogen and phosphorus from manure produce algal blooms in lakes and rivers. Additional pollutants found in manure, such as antibiotics, hormones, and heavy metals, (the byproducts of the feed used to cheaply raise livestock), make their way into soil and waterways and negatively impact the delicate ecosystems surrounding CAFOs. The mismanagement of manure in agriculture results in over fertilization and loss of nutrients in the soil. The byproducts and practices of CAFOs will be explored in depth from an aspect of environmental concern.