Glossary
Animal Welfare
The physical and psychological well-being of animals, particularly those raised for human consumption.
Example:
Concerns about animal welfare in industrial farming often lead consumers to seek out products from free-range or pasture-raised operations.
Antibiotic Resistance
The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic, making infections harder to treat.
Example:
The routine use of antibiotics in CAFOs to prevent disease can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, posing a risk to human health.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Industrial facilities that house a large number of animals, typically livestock, in confined spaces to maximize meat production efficiency.
Example:
A large chicken farm where thousands of birds are kept indoors in crowded conditions is an example of a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).
Demand
The desire of consumers for a particular good or service, coupled with their willingness and ability to pay for it.
Example:
As incomes rise in developing countries, the demand for meat often increases, leading to more intensive farming practices.
Desertification
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, often due to factors like deforestation, drought, and unsustainable agricultural practices such as overgrazing.
Example:
In arid regions, prolonged overgrazing can strip the land of vegetation, accelerating the process of desertification and turning productive land into barren wasteland.
Economic Factors
Influences related to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that affect agricultural practices.
Example:
The desire to lower production costs and increase efficiency are key economic factors driving the shift towards CAFOs.
Environmental Damage
Harmful effects on the natural environment, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion.
Example:
Intensive meat production can cause significant environmental damage through greenhouse gas emissions and water contamination.
Free-Range Farming
An agricultural method where animals are allowed to roam freely and graze in open pastures, promoting natural behaviors and better animal welfare.
Example:
A farm where chickens forage for insects and peck at grass in an open field practices free-range farming.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global climate change.
Example:
Livestock, particularly cattle, produce significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through their digestive processes.
Inflation
A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money, often influenced by increased demand.
Example:
High consumer inflation can make meat more expensive, potentially leading some consumers to reduce their consumption.
Overgrazing
The consumption of vegetation by livestock at a rate faster than it can regrow, leading to degradation of pastures and soil.
Example:
If too many cattle are kept on a small pasture for too long, they will cause overgrazing, leaving the land barren and susceptible to erosion.
Population Growth
An increase in the number of individuals in a population, which drives up the overall demand for resources like food.
Example:
Rapid global population growth means more mouths to feed, putting pressure on agricultural systems to produce more meat and crops.
Water Use
The amount of water consumed or utilized in various processes, such as agricultural production.
Example:
Producing a single pound of beef requires a substantial amount of water use, from growing feed crops to providing drinking water for the animals.