Which is Worse? The Chicken or the Egg: Food Production & the Environment

We’ve all heard the age-old question—Which came first: the chicken or the egg? But in the context of climate change and agriculture, a more pressing question might be: Which has a greater environmental cost?

From the methane emissions of cattle to the pesticide runoff from industrial crop farms, the effects of food production on the environment should concern us all. Read on for a closer look into both animal-based and plant-based food production systems and the true cost of what ends up on our plates. 

Food for Thought: The High Cost of Animal Agriculture

Livestock farming raises many concerns regarding food production and sustainability including: 

• Increased Greenhouse Gas Emission: When cows and other cattle digest their food, the fermentation process produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is a significant contributor to global warming.  A single cow produces between 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas per year. Multiplying that by the estimated 1.5 billion cattle raised for meat globally results in at least 231 billion pounds of methane annually. 
• Land Depletion: The harvesting of livestock for meat consumption requires vast areas of pasture and cropland for feed.  Overgrazing—when livestock consume vegetation faster than it can naturally regrow—can lead to overfarming and deforestation.
• Water Pollution: One of many agricultural pollutants is animal waste, which is high in phosphorus and nitrogen. When these nutrients run off into water sources, they form algal blooms and dead zones, meaning aquatic life can’t survive due to lack of oxygen. Moreover, the toxins contaminate drinking water, causing illnesses for humans as well.     

Plant-Based Doesn’t Always Mean Planet-Friendly

On the other hand, some of the most serious issues in agriculture today are also tied to the ways in which crops are harvested. Key concerns include: 

• Monoculture Farming: Many farms grow the same crop continuously to streamline their operations and lower costs. However, monoculture farming harms biodiversity, leaving bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with less food and shelter. Without pollinators, many of the crops we rely on wouldn’t be able to be produced. And since rotating crops is a natural pest-control method, a monoculture system makes farmers dependent on chemical insecticides that harm the soil.    
• Pesticide Runoff: This intensive chemical use leads to runoff that pollutes water sources, and, in turn, harms aquatic life, fish-eating wildlife, and human health. 
• Unsustainable Irrigation: When there isn’t enough rainfall for crop growth, farmers rely on irrigation, which is the artificial application of water to land. However, poorly managed irrigation systems can deplete water sources and degrade water quality. Plus, large-scale systems often rely on energy-intensive pumps that increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.      

So… Which is Worse?

While mass food production of any kind contributes to current agricultural issues, studies consistently show that the harmful impact of animal agriculture on the environment is significantly greater than that of plant-based foods.

For example, according to EARTHDAY.ORG, conventional meat uses 72%-99% more water than plant-based meat. In addition, the largest contributor of methane in the US is livestock and their waste.      

For more perspective, the following chart compares the environmental costs of producing different types of food in terms of greenhouse gas emissions:     

Source: Center for Science in the Public Interest

In short, no food is impact-free, but animal-based foods—especially red meat—tend to be the most resource-intensive and polluting. While adopting a fully plant-based diet may not be realistic for everyone, reducing meat consumption and opting for more plant-rich meals is a widely recommended strategy for using our individual power to collectively influence sustainability in the food industry.  

A Better Way: Sustainable Agriculture 

Although making eco-conscious choices in our everyday lives is always encouraged, sustainable agriculture methods also need to be implemented to reduce emissions, waste, and resource depletion. Some examples include:

• Organic Farming: Instead of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming leverages pesticides made from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, and microbes. Examples of organic pesticides include neem oil, pyrethrum, and sulfur.    
• Conservation Tillage: This system involves leaving crop residue from a previous harvest on at least 30% of the soil’s surface. The residue acts as a protective cover from water and wind, reducing soil erosion.   
• Integrated Pest Management: This approach combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical strategies to lower the use of pesticides and risks to human health and the environment. For example, rotating between different crops is a natural pest-control method. If pests do appear, it’s important to first identify them because some are harmless and even beneficial. If pest control is deemed necessary, less risky methods are chosen first, such as using highly targeted chemicals to disrupt pest mating.   
• Agroforestry: This method combines trees and shrubs with crops or livestock on farmland to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and crop yields. For instance, trees give livestock shade to safely graze in, and they also reduce wind speed to protect crops.    

Champion Sustainability in Food Production at Bard

The rampant agricultural problems caused by food industrialization call for bold, systemic change. If you’re ready to turn concern into action, explore Bard’s graduate sustainability programs that are designed to help you lead the charge: 

• MBA in Sustainability
• Master’s in Climate Science and Policy
• Master’s in Environmental Policy
• Master’s in Environmental Education 

Plus, check out our free Career Guide to Jobs in Sustainability to discover what engaging and fulfilling paths you can pursue to protect our planet and future generations to come.