Letters to the Editor
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Smart Farming...
...not widespread veganism or vegetarianism, seems to be the real point here.
a.) People can certainly eat less meat, and should be encouraged to do so. But they're not going to give it up altogether. Hell, beef is tasty! Plus, we are omnivorous apes--our bodies require some animal protein to maintain optimal health.
b.) Most of the problems described in the article are effects of large-scale industrial farming, and could be mitigated by the widespread adoption of organic, sustainable techniques--which are not, as the fear-mongers say, inadequate to the task of feeding the world. Indeed, organic farming, whose foundational principle is that the soil must be rebuilt and replenished as it's farmed--is the only long-term solution to our agriculture and climate woes. Those "waste lagoons?" A waste of valuable fertilizer. Composting would take care of those emissions. The grain vs. grass controversy? Not much of a question when you consider the pounds of fossil fuels going into the grains the cows eat.