Industrial agriculture is a large-scale farming practice involving hundreds of animals in a confined space and various chemical fertilizers on crops to produce huge amounts of food quickly.
These practices in factory farms use several concerning practices such as genetically modified crops and giving antibiotics to animals that are not sick, to prevent sickness from filthy conditions of the farm.
This gross yet productive way of farming is also environmentally taxing.
One quarter of the earth’s greenhouse gas emissions come from industrial agriculture and factory farming. Factory farming uses immense amounts of water to grow crops and feed an extreme number of animals.
Factory farms are killing us, by poisoning our bodies and destroying our planet.
Cutting back on the consumption of factory farming is the only effective way to save ourselves and our planet.
Damning Farming Practices
Practices in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are intense and concerning.
A large CAFO typically has at least 750 dairy cows, 1,000 beef cattle, 2,500 large pigs or 82,000 egg-laying hens.
All these animals are kept in compact barns and never see the light of day.
These animals are raised to grow quickly, receiving various body mutilations.
These animals are subjected to painful practices like tail docking, beak trimming and dehorning.
They are kept in tight confinement, making them very susceptible to sickness, which can then be spread to humans during consumption.
Food is brought to these animals rather than allowing them to graze naturally, which causes a variety of health issues for the animals.
The spraying of pesticides on crops in an unnatural way is used to produce large amounts of food. The farming practices inside these operations are an unmitigated disaster for both the animals involved and the humans who consume their products.
Our Food is Killing Us
The direct impact of industrial agriculture on human health is far too often overlooked.
Americans are sicker than almost all other developed countries. Our food is mostly to blame for this issue.
Eating the products of industrial agriculture has a variety of side effects hardly ever discussed. In addition, antimicrobial resistance, a form of antibiotic resistance, is worsening due to our livestock.
Antimicrobials are often used to speed up livestock growth and when consumed by humans create antimicrobial resistance. Pesticides have adverse effects on human health. Pesticide consumption can cause breast cancer, abnormal growth defects and depleted immune function. Although these side effects are large-scale, factory farm food can be linked to making Americans feel worse on a day-to-day basis.
For many, eating healthy feels almost impossible in a world where even the most basic food options are contaminated by industrial agriculture’s harmful practices.
The alternatives, such as choosing local, organic or pasture-raised products, remain out of reach for too many due to their higher cost and limited availability. This is further perpetuating the cycle of unhealthy eating, but these are the choices that will ultimately save our health and the environment.
Environmental Impacts
All agricultural practices have their share of environmental downsides.
Agriculture is the leading cause of water pollution, water shortages, deforestation and more.
Industrial agriculture takes these environmental issues to a new level. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, CAFOs produce 885 billion pounds of manure each year.
None of this manure is regulated by the government. Industrial agriculture also requires an immense amount of water and land.
Industrial agriculture produces food at such a fast pace that the earth cannot keep up with the environmental costs. The impacts of industrial agriculture are being felt globally.
The quest for cheap, fast food comes at a heavy price — one that is being paid by our planet. The greenhouse gases emitted by the factory farm system are responsible for nearly a quarter of the world’s total emissions, further contributing to the climate crisis.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution to the problem of agriculture.
It is necessary to make food and the amount of agriculture will only rise.
As long as food production is driven by corporate greed and profit margins, and as long as consumers continue to prioritize convenience and cost over sustainability and health, these problems will persist.
We need a fundamental shift in how we view and approach food production. One important step is to support local, sustainable and organic farming practices.
Shopping locally not only reduces the carbon footprint of transporting food long distances, but it also promotes more humane farming practices.
Ultimately, the solution will require systemic change — from policy reforms that incentivize sustainable farming practices to a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. We cannot afford to continue to ignore the damage being done by this industry any longer.
John Hedberg • Jan 22, 2025 at 8:11 pm
Bobby Kennedy’s #MAHA is pushing for sustainable growing practices, & a move away from reliance on chemicals, in everything pertaining to food & personal care products.
His confirmation hearing is coming up shortly. Call your Senator if you’re concerned about our future in regard to these health & environmental issues, and encourage a Yes vote for Bobby.
Meanwhile, Casey & Calley Means wrote an interesting book which might appeal to you called “Good Energy”. It’s worth a look~! The e-book is available through City Library.
Kindly,
John