Re:wild Your Fridge | United States Case Study

How large-scale animal agriculture is shaping America’s landscapes, water use, and wildlife — and why it’s time to rethink what’s in our fridge.

The Scale of America’s Livestock Industry

The U.S. plays an outsized role in the global food system — and in the environmental impacts that come with it. Nearly 46% of the land in the United States (lower 48 states) is used for animal agriculture.

That scale comes at a cost: forests and prairies have been cleared, water resources are strained, and remaining wild habitats are threatened by pollutants and runoff from livestock operations.

In 2021 alone, Americans ate over 20 billion pounds of beef.

If Americans cut their beef consumption by 90% – and other animal products by 50% – the reduction in emissions would be the equivalent of taking every car off the road in the United States, and another 200 million cars off the roads in other countries, for a year.

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Water Use and Pollution

Animal agriculture puts immense pressure on already scarce water resources — especially in the drought-prone western U.S. An estimated 80% of the Colorado River’s water is used to irrigate crops like alfalfa and grass, most of it destined to feed cattle.

Beyond water consumption, these operations also contribute to widespread pollution. Runoff from fertilizers, manure, and pesticides contaminates streams, rivers, and groundwater — threatening ecosystems, drinking water, and the health of surrounding communities.