UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

Animal agriculture causes many unsustainable, destructive problems to individuals, the environment, and the economy. The amount of destruction that animal agriculture does to the planet, to environments and to species is devastating as animal agriculture is the root problem for the worlds increasing temperatures, species extinction, deforestation, and water quality. These issues should come to light when the University of California, Merced talks about its 2020 Project; however, these problems have been neglected and thus, by supporting a plant-based diet, the University can model a sustainable environment, healthy faculty and students –– free from high levels of stress, anxiety, and disease, caused by unhealthy food options –– and the ultimate “triple zero”. In addition to supplying more food options, the University could advocate for vegan clubs and demonstrate the unsustainability of animal agriculture. As the University shifts to offering more plant-based food, the overall health, wellbeing, and productivity of students and faculty will increase.