The Ugly Side of a Burger
Article by Jack L.
Factory Farming’s Precursor
The Industrial Revolution is often praised as a turning point in human history, arguably the greatest single leap in technological advancement. It was the origin of many systems and items we still use today; the steam engine, electric generators, motors, the telephone and even some semblance of modern medicine originates from this revolution.[1]
However, in the wake of all this social, cultural, and technological fervor remained the backbone of human civilization: agriculture. The Industrial Revolution opened the door for agricultural innovation as well, bolstering crop production in the face of a growing population. Today, 22 million jobs are created through the agriculture and farm sectors in the United States alone.[2] As such, agriculture’s mechanization was, at the time, seen as an enormous net positive.
But what has only reared its ugly head in the past few decades was this period’s downsides. Namely, its environmental impacts are and were detrimental. You have most likely heard the terms “fossil fuels” and “carbon emissions” which are used in the context of industrialization and more. The increasing use of fossil fuels has persisted and increased into the modern day. The concentration of carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere—in 1750, and a majority of earth’s existence, was 275 parts per million (ppm). Today, it has risen to 415 ppm. Continuing to rise at 3 ppm per year, almost every aspect of society contributes to this issue.[3]
Today’s Animal Farming Practices
Among all the environmentally destructive sections, one that rarely has light shed on is factory farming. Factory farming is the practice of industrial and mechanized farming of animals. The goal? To produce as many calories per dollar possible on each animal. Barring the already blurry ethical lines of imprisoning, torturing, and culling 70 billion animals a year, its environmental impact is undeniable.[4] Today, the animal farming industry is responsible for 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions.[5] The chicken wings at your local grocery store come from an industry comparable in emissions to the entire transportation system, an industry that is itself intimately tied with climate change via the transport chain.[6]
But how exactly does animal cultivation contribute to climate change? Firstly, when animals break down food, they release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through a process called enteric fermentation. This issue is exacerbated due to the food farmers choose that are, while being calorie-cost efficient, also contain high amounts of methane. Secondly, after the animals digest the food, their feces are often poorly managed and left to decompose into more greenhouse gasses. These two processes greatly impact the climate.[7]
Beyond its direct harm to the globe, factory farming carries equal secondary and indirect damages to the environment. 260 million acres of United States land has been deforested in the name of agriculture. Yet, we eat only what 33% of that land produces. 67% of land designated for crop production is used to grow the animals’ food to feed animals.[8] Outside the United States, space for animal cultivation is a driving factor for deforestation. Specifically, while roughly 75% of deforestation is for the purpose of agriculture holistically, 41% is used for cattle grazing alone.[9] This is because trees grow by absorbing carbon. When a tree is cut down, all that stored carbon is released back into the environment. Not only does deforestation release carbon dioxide, it prevents new trees from trapping carbons. A double gut punch.
Moreover, the global food industry as a whole is responsible for 21% of all emissions. This number is ambiguous, depending on what is defined as “global food industry”—the transportation involved, the land use, and processing. At worst, if what falls under this industry is expanded, the food industry could be responsible for as high as 37% of emissions.[10] These farms are designed under a capitalist mindset: maximize profits. They are designed so efficiently to keep costs down for both the producer and the consumer. But the hidden cost is our environment, our globe.
What to do
It is likely that if you are reading this, you live in New York City. Food contributes 20% of the city’s carbon emissions, the 3rd highest source behind buildings and transportation.[11] But the reality is the impacts of veganism on carbon emissions relative to the major lifestyle change is difficult or impossible for many people. That being said, the decision is not binary; and you could choose to eat less meat, practicing something akin to Meatless Mondays. However, a more effective course of action is to invest in more local endeavors. After all, a large portion of carbon emissions comes from the transportation of food, often international or across state lines.
So how do you source your food more locally? One of the best ways is Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs). A CSA is where a farmer is funded by local members of their community in exchange for access to a certain amount of their produce. The benefits are twofold: you prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions and you build a community focused on this beneficial project.[12] Some CSAs in or near NYC are Siena Farms, Fresh Meadow Farm, Bell and Walhalla Farm, Hawthorne Valley farm, and more.[13] Others can be found with a Google search. Many CSAs are promoted or encouraged by official city departments/councils as well since they are mutually beneficial.
Many of the mentioned methods you could support the climate change cause have either a monetary or temporal cost. It is understandable if that is not feasible. One of the lowest effort ways to support this cause is through democracy. Many bills, designed to counter climate change, are in the process of becoming laws. Petitioning, sending in letters, going to protests, posting on social media, and actively engaging in this discussion with your community all help to counter the climate crisis. It is imperative to not keep your voice silent.
You do not have to make great lifestyle changes or invest greatly to be part of the climate change movement. It is not hypocritical to have a steak for dinner while you criticize the factory farming industry. You might not have the facilities to pay extra for your food or to find the time to protest. You might be too young to vote. But if you made it this far, I hope you are passionate enough to do something, to make a change. If that is the case, a good start is simply to face the unsettling reality of climate change and then to engage in conversation with others. After all, any systemic change starts with a cultural one—a social one.
End Notes:
Duignan, Brian, and Ernest Leong. “Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/list/inventors-and-inventions-of-the-industrial-revolution. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Helmer, Jodi. “Labor Day: How the Industrial Revolution Changed Agriculture.” National FFA Organization, 5 Sept. 2020, www.ffa.org/ffa-new-horizons/labor-day-how-the-industrial-revolution-changed-agriculture/.
Anderson, Kara. “What Was the Industrial Revolution’s Environmental Impact?” Greenly, 25 Aug. 2024, https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/what-was-the-industrial-revolutions-environmental-impact.
Dalzell, Noa. “The Massive Impact of Factory Farming on Our Environment.” New Roots Institute, 13 May 2021, www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/massive-environmental-impacts.
World Animal Protection. “Factory Farming Almost Always Overlooked as Climate Culprit.” World Animal Protection, 25 Nov. 2024, www.worldanimalprotection.org/latest/blogs/factory-farming-real-climate-culprit/.
Dalzell.
“Agriculture Sector Emissions.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 31 Mar. 2025, www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/agriculture-sector-emissions.
Ibid.
Peterson, Jesse. “How Animal Agriculture Is Accelerating Global Deforestation.” Earth.Org, 22 Feb. 2024, earth.org/how-animal-agriculture-is-accelerating-global-deforestation/.
Lynch, John, et al. “Agriculture’s Contribution to Climate Change and Role in Mitigation Is Distinct from Predominantly Fossil CO2-Emitting Sectors.” Frontiers, 2 Feb. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.518039/full.
“Mayor Adams Commits to Reducing City’s Food-Based Emissions by 33 Percent by 2030.” The Official Website of the City of New York, 17 Apr. 2023, www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/263-23/mayor-adams-commits-reducing-city-s-food-based-emissions-33-percent-2030-after-releasing#/0.
Roos, Debbie. “Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Resource Guide for Farmers.” NC State Extension News, growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-csaguide/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
“CSAs near New York, NY - Localharvest.” Local Harvest - Real Food, Real Farmers, Real Community, www.localharvest.org/new-york-ny/csa. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
