Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series "Animal Farming Should Be Environmentalists' Central Focus"

“Animal Farming Should Be Environmentalists’ Central Focus” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Kevin Kuruc, Assistant Professor of Economics at Middlebury College.

Animal agriculture destroys more habitat than any other human activity and ranks among the most water intensive. The industry produces enough greenhouse gases to push warming close to two degrees on its own. And it causes tremendous suffering to the farmed animals themselves. No human activity is more at odds with our shared goals and values.

Kevin Kuruc is an Assistant Professor in the Economics Department of at Middlebury. Kevin’s research interests are in macroeconomics — specifically growth and development — as well as agricultural and environmental economics. His recent projects focus on the interaction of demographic change, technological progress, and sustainability issues. He is also interested in animal welfare and in understanding how insights from economics can be used to improve the lives of animals.