Acharya Prashant addresses the argument that non-vegetarianism is necessary for nature's balance. He refutes this by presenting data on global land use for food production. He explains that while 71% of the Earth's surface is ocean, the remaining 29% is land. Of the habitable land, 50% is used for agriculture. A staggering 77% of this agricultural land is dedicated to livestock and dairy, which includes grazing land for animals and land used for animal feed production. In contrast, only 23% of agricultural land is used for crops for direct human consumption. He further elaborates on the inefficiency of this system. The 77% of land used for animal agriculture provides only 18% of the world's calories and 37% of its protein. Conversely, the mere 23% of land used for plant-based food provides 82% of the world's calories and 63% of its protein. He points out that to produce one kilogram of meat, an animal must be fed 10 to 20 kilograms of grain. Therefore, a person who eats meat is not just consuming the animal but also all the grain it consumed. This means a non-vegetarian is responsible for the death of the animal as well as the destruction of a vast number of plants. Acharya Prashant asserts that non-vegetarianism is the world's biggest problem. He links it directly to environmental destruction, stating that the primary reason for cutting down forests, like the Amazon, is to clear land for animal farming. This deforestation, in turn, leads to the extinction of countless species whose habitats are destroyed. He also addresses the argument about climate change, agreeing that it is caused by harmful gases but questioning their source. He explains that animal agriculture is a major producer of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the meat on a person's plate is directly responsible for climate change. Finally, he dismisses the notion that animals like chickens and goats would overpopulate the earth if not eaten. He clarifies that these animals are not naturally abundant but are artificially bred in massive numbers to meet the demand for meat. He concludes that the arguments supporting non-vegetarianism are either foolish or dishonest. He criticizes the hypocrisy of those who claim to care for the environment while consuming meat, as non-vegetarianism is the leading cause of deforestation, species extinction, and climate change.
