Animal Agriculture
Animal Agriculture
Animal agriculture has a major impact on our climate, water, air, wildlife, and public health.
Producing meat, dairy, and eggs requires vast amounts of land, water, feed, and energy, making animal products among the most resource-intensive foods we eat. Industrial livestock production generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, drives deforestation and biodiversity loss, pollutes air and waterways, and contributes to climate change.
Most animals in the U.S. are raised on factory farms, where they are fed corn and soy grown with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that can contaminate rivers and groundwater. These operations also produce enormous quantities of manure that pollute nearby communities, while the routine use of antibiotics contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Factory farms harm not only the environment but also the health of workers and neighboring communities.
Friends of the Earth is working to transform our food system by stopping the expansion of factory farms and working to phase them out, supporting more sustainable livestock production, and transitioning to a more plant-forward food system. To protect our climate, water, wildlife, and public health, we need to produce and consume less and better meat and dairy, support farmers using regenerative and pasture-based practices, and build a food system that works for people and the planet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial animal agriculture contributes to climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water pollution, air pollution, and excessive use of land and freshwater. Industrial livestock production requires large amounts of feed, fertilizer, energy, and natural resources while generating greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
Livestock production releases methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide through animal digestion, manure management, feed production, transportation, and processing. Methane from cattle is especially important because it is a highly potent greenhouse gas.
Forests are often cleared to create grazing land or to grow feed crops such as corn and soy for livestock. This destroys wildlife habitat, reduces biodiversity, and releases carbon stored in trees.
Factory farms generate large quantities of manure that can contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater with nutrients and pathogens. Fertilizer runoff from feed crop production also contributes to harmful algal blooms and dead zones.
Yes. Expanding pastureland and feed crop production destroys habitats that many plant and animal species depend on. Pollution from industrial animal agriculture also harms freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Reducing dependence on factory farming can lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, protect forests and biodiversity, conserve freshwater resources, and create a healthier, more resilient food system.
Friends of the Earth is working to transform our food system by ending factory farm pollution, protecting communities, promoting organic and regenerative agriculture, and advancing policies that support a healthier planet.
Learn how you can support our campaigns to reduce the environmental impacts of industrial animal agriculture and build a more sustainable future.
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