Required Movie: The Impact of Animal Agriculture Discussion Board (COWspiracy, 1 hour, 29 min) – Discussion

 link: http://watchdocumentaries.com/cowspiracy-the-sustainability-secret/ As an introduction for this assignment, watch the short video “What if Everyone Ate Beans Instead of Beef?” about how to reduce one’s personal carbon footprint. Then check out and respond to the three additional items below. Here is the link. https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/540765/beans-instead-of-beef-methane/ (Links to an external site.) 1. What are your initial thoughts on the first video and on the topic of the impact of animal agriculture on Climate Change? Note that other alternatives could be used instead of beans. (50-100 words minimum) 2. There is a population crisis – but probably not the one you think (Monbiot, G. 2015). To see this, search the internet and use approximate numbers where needed. a. How many people are there in the world? What does the average person weigh? Multiply the two numbers and get the total weight of people in the world? b. How many cows are there in the world? What does the average cow weigh? Multiply the two numbers and get the total weight of cows in the world? c. Compare the total weight of people in the world and the total weight of cows in the world, if you are not sure of your numbers, compare with a fellow classmate. What are your thoughts on this comparison? d. To meet growing demands for beef and dairy around the world, the cow population is predicted to grow significantly faster than the human population is growing (Monbiot, G. 2015). Discuss your thoughts on the different ways the growing cow population will impact the earth. (50-100 words minimum) (Links to an external site.) 3. Read and consider Paul Hawken’s short overview on a “Plant-Rich Diet” and answer the following questions. https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/food/plant-rich-diet (Links to an external site.) a. What is the amount of global emissions attributed to a meat-centric Western Diet? b. If cattle were their own nation, what number would they rank for world emissions? Watch the movie at the link at the start of the assignment. Watch with a friend or group if possible. Do not guess at these answers if you did not watch the movie as this will be obvious and we will not be able to give you credit for this section. 1. Discussing the Impact on Climate Change: List three different organizations that weren’t interested in discussing the Impact of Animal Agriculture on Climate Change. Do you think there was a conspiracy when they wouldn’t discuss this topic, or do you think there might have been other reasons? (Note that many of these organizations are now discussing this topic since the movie was released.) 2. Destruction of Rainforests: Rainforests are critical to removing carbon from the atmosphere. From the movie, what % of rainforests is being destroyed by slash and burn agriculture to raise cattle and to grow feed crops for cattle? 3. Scarce Water Resources: Freshwater resources are critical for many parts of human society. From the movie, how many gallons of water are required to produce 1 lb. of beef? Discuss three reasons why this much water is needed. 4. Movie Review: After completing the Part 1 Introduction and watching the movie COWspiracy, what are your thoughts on animal agriculture and the related impacts on climate change? Do you think this subject is too personal to discuss? What are your thoughts on if or how our culture could make changes as a result of this information? There are no wrong answers. (100-200 words minimum)