In general, animal products are a less efficient way of getting calories than plant products. Energy transfer betweentrophic levels and all that. This means that, in theory, going vegetarian is good for the environment, because less farm land will be needed to support your diet. Unless, maybe, you’re eating lots of milk and dairy, which I do as a vegetaruab because I care about getting enough protein. But, thanks to The Atlantic, maybe I should feel good about the environmental effects of my diet after all:

The lacto-ovo vegetarian [non-meant plus dairy] requires less grain, land, and water resources. Livestock products contribute to approximately 80% to greenhouse gas emission in comparison to agricultural products which contribute approximately 22% of total emissions globally.

I didn’t know that! Thanks, Atlantic Monthly!