Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Char Miller

Reader 2

Marc Los Huertos

Rights Information

Olivia Reichle

Abstract

A plant-based diet is better for the environment and human health in comparison to an animal-based diet. The diets differ so much when it comes to these two topics because of the consumption of animal products. The exclusion of animal products can improve one’s health, especially when it comes to cardiovascular problems. A plant-based diet can lower the harmful types of cholesterol decreasing someone’s risk of a heart attack or stroke. The diet can also help people stay at and maintain a healthy weight easily. An animal-based diet does not provide the same level of health benefits that a plant-based one does. Furthermore, the rearing of animals, especially in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), worsens existing environmental problems and creates more. The Central Valley case study proves how damaging CAFOs, and the livestock industry can be in an area. CAFOs can cause pollution of the water, land, and air making it harder for those living nearby. By decreasing the amount of animal products people consume, the environmental harm caused by the livestock industry can lessen since they will not need to raise as many animals. Additionally, indoor farming and mushroom farming provide sustainable solutions for the agriculture industry in the transition to a plant-based diet. The research proves that a plant-based diet exceeds animal-based diets when it comes to improving human health and limiting our impact on the environment.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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