Every year, our country suffers from flooding because of intense rainfall, overflowing rivers, uncontrollable releases of stored water in dams, and poor drainage systems. Beyond those reasons, however, there is a hidden side not being talked about enough: How we treat animals eventually affects the severity of floods.
As far-fetched as that seems, it’s true: The way we treat animals, especially in the animal industrial complex, not only significantly affects the well-being of animals themselves, but also impacts our environment in ways that escalate the risk for and severity of floods.
SOIL DEGRADATION
One of the most noticeable connections between our treatment of animals and flooding is seen in factory farms.
The feeds given to the Cows, Chickens, Pigs, Fishes, and other farmed animals come from monocrops like soy and corn. Monocropping is not a sustainable farming practice. According to FoodPrint.org, “Monocropping is the practice of growing the same crop on the same plot of land, year after year. This practice depletes the soil of nutrients (making the soil less productive over time), reduces organic matter in soil and can cause significant erosion.”
Needless to say, lands that suffer from soil erosion are less able to hold water, which can result in flooding.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Billions of animals are born into the meat, egg, and dairy industries. Confined in factory farms, the animals generate massive amounts of waste which causes greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to the climate catastrophe.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, “Livestock products are responsible for more greenhouse gases emissions than most other food sources.”
The United Nations says that “As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change.” Climate change, in turn, makes weather patterns more unpredictable and rainfall even heavier.
WATER POLLUTION
Apart from the role they play in greenhouse gas emissions, animal waste also pollutes water.
In a work document by the World Bank titled “An Overview of Agricultural Pollution in the Philippines”, it was stated that “Untreated animal waste application to farmland can affect the nutrients of the soil and overload.
This increases the risk of nutrient runoff and leaching, which in turn pollutes water resources.” They add that “Animal manure is viewed as waste rather than as a resource, which in effect resulted in environmental conflicts such as various pollutants derived from improper manure/waste management that have significant impacts on soil, water, and air.”
Many slaughterhouses and farms are situated near creeks or rivers, and this “enables them to easily dispose of generated waste materials directly into these bodies of water”, which causes water pollution from accumulated waste resulting in erosion that exacerbates flooding.
PROFIT OVER PLANET
Outside of factory farming, illegal trafficking of free-roaming animals (animals who live in forests and jungles), while not directly related to flooding, plays a role in environmental degradation as it causes loss of biodiversity.
On the other hand, habitat loss due to urbanization causes deforestation, which changes the land’s natural ability to absorb water.
We can save ourselves from drowning by swimming away from harmful practices that endanger lives, and that means protecting our non-human animal brethren from getting washed away in the current that is animal agriculture.
A CYCLE OF SUFFERING
As the way we treat animals affects flooding, flooding also affects even more animals, non-humans and humans alike.
EXPOSURE TO FLOODWATER
According to the CDC, potential health effects from exposure to floodwater contaminated with animal waste can lead to:
- Gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea, fever)
- Skin irritation (rash, inflammation, infection)
- Respiratory illness (cough, sore throat, fever)
- Chemical and metal exposures
DISASTER IN AMAZON COMMUNITIES
Because of the incessant deforestation happening in the Amazon largely caused by cattle ranching, communities are already seeing the impacts that it brings.
According to a report by The Guardian titled “Brazil: flooding and landslides kill dozens in São Paulo state”, the city of São Paolo saw torrential rains that took dozens of lives and displaced hundreds.
According to another report by environment advocate group Cool Earth titled “Flooding Devastates Communities in the Amazon”, the indigenous peoples of Asháninka were subjected to flooding with devastating impacts that destroyed homes and sunk entire communities.
DROWNED ANIMALS
When the combined strength of typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong devastated the country in July, many animals for sale in Arranque drowned as flood waters rose rapidly inside the pet market.
The death of these animals could have been prevented if society did not see them as mere objects for sale.
It is a cycle that never ends – unless we make significant changes in our own lives.
BUT WHAT CAN WE DO?
TIP #1 SUPPORT SMALL FARMS
Support small crop farms with sustainable farming practices that do not harm the environment and animals.
TIP #2 EAT MORE PLANTS
Eat plant-based food, and urge governments and businesses to shift away from animal farming practices that eat up huge amounts of resources.
TIP #3 FIGHT FOR FORESTS
Protect rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands, not only to protect animals, but also to preserve natural flood defenses.
Sustainable practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and humane treatment of animals are important in curbing natural disasters.
LIVE AND LET LIVE
What we do to animals is a reflection of our treatment of the planet. Our cruel and inhumane treatment of animals, which is what is happening in the animal industry, not only disrespects the right of animals to live, but also destroys our defenses against natural disasters.
Finding solutions to flooding doesn’t just mean improving flood control projects and fighting corruption, it also means disrupting exploitative animal industries.
It is never too late – when we make ethical choices, we contribute to the wellness of our environment, help slow down the climate crisis, and shape a world that is healthier and more equipped in dealing with the threats of preventable calamities.
Time and time again, our communities sink in the floods. We can save ourselves from drowning by swimming away from harmful practices that endanger lives, and that means protecting our non-human animal brethren from getting washed away in the current that is animal agriculture.
Finding solutions to flooding doesn’t just mean improving flood control projects and fighting corruption, it also means disrupting exploitative animal industries.
