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Reduce Global Warming
Most people assume the leading cause of global warming is carbon dioxide emissions from cars and factories. However, that is not the case. In a 2006 United Nations report, the UN found that livestock generate more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined. Most of it comes from carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide gases generated by manure. Therefore, the single most important step an individual can take to reduce global warming is to adopt a vegetarian diet.
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Help Distribute Food to Starving Nations
On average, 40% of global grain production is used to feed livestock, in order, to produce more animals for consumption. By cutting out meat, it could be possible to redistribute all food crops grown globally to directly feed humans instead of animals. Rather than cycle crops through livestock, that sudden surplus alone would be enough food to feed over half the humans on earth, let alone the 795 million who face hunger every day.
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Save an Animal
Animals on today’s factory farms have no legal protection from cruelty that would be illegal if it were inflicted on dogs or cats. Yet farmed animals are no less intelligent or capable of feeling pain than are the dogs and cats we cherish as companions. A vegetarian lifestyle awakens our spirit of compassion and guides us towards a kinder, gentler society in which we exercise a moral choice to protect animals—not exploit them.
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Be Healthier
Vegetarian diets are more healthful than the average American diet, particularly in preventing, treating or reversing heart disease and reducing the risk of cancer. A low-fat vegetarian diet is the single most effective way to stop the progression of coronary artery disease or prevent it entirely.
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Try New Foods
Vegetarian meals can be tasty, fast, and easy. Plus, you can make any of your favorite non-vegetarian dishes by substituting with ready-made meat alternatives. There are lots of vegetarian cook books available as well. Austin is the perfect city for new vegetarians. There is an abundant options of restaurants to choose from (Baby Greens, Arlo’s, Leaf, Vegan Nom, and more) when you don’t have time to cook but don’t want to compromise on taste and quality.