This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the Tribune, I find that our new Eccles Theater will host "The Lion King." This is the world's number one musical because children and families love animals. Wild animals — from Africa to India to the Amazon — inspire our children but are losing their homes.
Believe it or not, one important way to save those real animals is by eating more vegetables and less meat.
Have you ever met someone who doesn't like elephants? Me either. In fact, I don't think I have even heard negative sentiment about elephants — or orangutans, rhinos and sea turtles. Humans have a natural love for wildlife. It might be from reading "Curious George" or watching "The Jungle Book" as kids. Whatever the reason, we care. That's why I was teary-eyed reading the new World Wildlife Report warning that the world is on track to lose two-thirds of wild animals by 2020. What's causing this decline? One important answer is habitat destruction perpetrated by industry — especially commercial livestock and animal agriculture.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United Nations Food and Animal Organization, the Worldwatch Institute and the Center for Biological Diversity, animal agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction.
Elephants, orangutans and rhinos are suffering the consequences from human meat consumption. The WWF study notes, "While the pressures on forests vary across regions, the biggest cause of deforestation is expanding agriculture — including commercial livestock." Put another way, "25 percent of global land use, land-use change and forestry emissions are driven by beef production, including conversion of forests in the Brazilian Amazon." The real-life Jungle Book — home to jaguars, sloths, anacondas and more than 1,300 species of birds — is being decimated to raise livestock or feed for livestock. Worse, the decimation is accelerating. In fact, NPR recently reported that the Amazon deforestation rate is up 29 percent from last year.
Feeling hopeless? I was, too.
"The Lion King" crowds don't have to. Eat less meat and you protect wildlife habitat. That's it. Isn't that empowering?
Going plant-based for one day prevents 30 square feet of deforestation, according to the documentary "Cowspiracy." While the actual square footage number has been disputed, the cause and rate of deforestation are indisputable. Take the Amazon. National Geographic reported it is being cut down at a rate of 150 acres per minute — primarily for cattle.
Another study by the Rainforest Alliance warns that our current diet has us on a course to lose 50 percent of all species by 2050. Fifty percent means your niece gets to choose between zebras or giraffes. Which one should go extinct? That's catastrophic. We really do not know what a planet would look like without jaguars and elephants. Could humans even survive without functioning oceans and rainforests?
The future for wildlife looks grim, but it doesn't have to be. We can all do something to reverse this collision course. And we can start after the theater — opt for a veggie burger instead of a quarter pounder. Every plant-based meal protects the home of Simba, Rafiki and Bagheera.
Whitney McCarthy holds degrees in environmental studies, science and technology and in business administration and is active with local food nonprofit organizations. She lives in Park City.