And the winner is...
What makes a winner anyways? The pros, the cons, the literal or proverbial wins one over another? Here at Hybrids Vs. Veggies, we figured the winner was up to each of us, so we've cast our votes down below.
One for the Veggies
David Campbell
My choice of a winner is vegetarianism. Simply put, most anyone can make this choice, even on a part-time basis, while purchasing a hybrid is a MUCH bigger commitment.
Vegetarianism: A Logical Win
Shannon Vincent
After extensive research, discussion and soul searching, I have concluded that a vegetarian lifestyle, or even a modified one, creates better sustainability than driving an eco-friendly car. The statistics for waste and pollution created by the meat industry are staggering and appalling. Eating is a required activity for every human being, while driving is done only by the wealthy few. Therefore, making a change among the largest group will have a greater impact proportionally on the sustainability of the earth we all must share.
Hybrids: A Future-Tense Win
Jason White
"I had a difficult time choosing which category would win out over the other. On the one hand, vegetarians enjoy healthy lifestyles, feel good about their choices, and are ideally conscious of the awesome impact their lifestyle has on themselves and the world around them. But hybrid automobiles, despite their reliance on fossil fuels and the cost of their production, carry a future-relevant win for me: the more we put into exploring the green driving option, the better our choices will become later on down the line. If I had to choose one over the other, I'd probably drive a hybrid (though I'd still sneak a veggie snack from time to time). In the end, both categories do "something" for today, an immeasurable "something" for tomorrow, but only one is burgeoning and leading to a social mentality that will carry us forward in so many other ways aside from dieting alone."
Vegetarianism: The Greater of Two Goods
Andrew Diamond
I think switching to a vegetarian diet is more beneficial to the environment than driving hybrid vehicles. Vegetables and grains take far less energy to produce than meat, and research has shown that producing hybrid cars causes more pollution than driving fuel-efficient used vehicles
And Can's Winner Is: Driving Green!
Can Mao
With benefits in both energy saving and environment improving, with technology to further down the cost, with government and industry to better policies, hybrid cars are leading as the best solution for sustainability for both the individual and the community.
Ashes to Ashes: Veggies for Environment's Sake
David Doyle
I pick going Vegetarian as the most effective way to benefit the environment, not only because most research done on the matter has shown that production and consumption of meat is more taxing on the environment, but also because more people have the ability to switch to a vegetarian lifestyle, than have the ability to switch to a hybrid.
Vegetarianism: Little Changes Add Up
Emily Spesert
I think vegetarianism is a more sustainable choice than purchasing a hybrid vehicle. I can make vegetarian choices every day, at every meal, which in turn makes me feel more consistently altruistic and involved in sustainable practices.
Eat Green, Ditch Metane
Kyle Knuth
I also pick vegetarianism because of the reasons you have all stated as well as the amount of methane gas created by farming large amounts of animals together. As well as the grain and water given to livestock which may not be utilizing these resources effectively. The hybrid car's battery seems to not have been perfected yet and the production and disposal of these batteries are not as of right now as environmentally friendly as becoming vegetarian. Also Vegetarian lifestyles are easier to implement.
Chickpeas Are the Future
Peter Choi
The winner is... vegetarianism. It was a difficult decision considering the fact that vegetarianism is changing a lifestyle while driving a hybrid does not change the fact that we drive cars. But through much thought, I believe that we need to commit to change and move away from our comfort zone for the future of our environment.
