Notes on "Six Arguments for a Greener Diet" by Dr. M.F. Jacobson

Six Arguments for a Greener Diet

• Author: Dr. M.F. Jacobson
• Published by: Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC
• Year: 2006
• Pages: 234
• Price: $14.95
• ISBN: 0-89329-049-1

Overview

• Dr. Jacobson advocates for a diet with increased plant intake and reduced factory-farmed meat consumption.
• The book is accessible, targeting an educated but non-specialist audience rather than serving as a technical textbook.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Less Chronic Disease and Better Overall Health

• Discusses health risks associated with a meat-based diet.
• Highlights benefits of increasing plant food intake using data from studies, including those on Seventh-Day Adventists.

Chapter 2: Less Foodborne Illness

• Examines diseases linked to microorganisms in factory farming.
• Discusses how the U.S. food system raises food safety risks.
• Includes the spread of pathogens from manure and the reliance on antibiotics in factory farming.

Chapter 3: Better Soil

• Details the negative impact of livestock farming on soil health (erosion, compaction).
• Covers intensive agriculture’s use of fertilizers, heavy metals, biosolids, and pesticides.

Chapter 4: More and Cleaner Water

• Describes water usage in meat production and associated depletion of groundwater.
• Discusses pollution from manure lagoons and the impact of agricultural runoff on aquatic ecosystems.

Chapter 5: Cleaner Air

• Lists air pollutants linked to factory farming: ammonia, methane, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, VOCs, and particulate matter.

Chapter 6: Less Animal Suffering

• Portrays conditions of factory-farmed animals (space, welfare, and stress).
• Addresses the treatment and slaughter processes of livestock, highlighting worker hazards in slaughterhouses.

Conclusion: Making Change

• Provides strategies for healthier eating habits in America.
• Suggests policy changes to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, reduce fats in animal products, improve food labeling, and mitigate foodborne diseases and antibiotic resistance.

Additional Features

• Appendices include reviews of foodborne pathogens and internet resource links.
• Well-researched with extensive reference lists and data tables.
• Color photographs enhance engagement and information presentation.

Reviewer Comments

• The book is praised for its accessible writing style and engaging scientific content but noted for a desire for more extensive coverage on various topics.