Agriculture & Sustainability

Environmentalists typically apply the word “sustainable” to practices and technologies that could be used universally by all humans indefinitely—in other words, they take only what will be replenished and otherwise cause no harm. To Lierre Keith, however, modern day environmentalism is a futile effort because she believes no technology or agricultural practice can be sustainable with seven billion people on Earth. In The Vegeterian Myth, Keith admits that a diet of grass-fed steaks and wild game could not sustain today’s population. However, she neglects to examine other options we have at our disposal, dismissing the potential of modern technology, permaculture methods, and veganism. Accordingly, she believes a rapid reduction in human population by any means necessary is Earth's only chance for survival.

The vast majority of people do not share Keith’s fatalistic worldview. While her book labels those who disagree as naïve and child-like, mainstream scientific research does not support Keith’s position. This section responds to Keith’s criticisms of the potential sustainability of a vegan world and details the practices and technologies we can use to lessen humanity’s impact on the planet.