Current meat industry practices harm the environment in two principal ways: 1) deforestation and 2) green gas emissions. Farm animals, like cows, sheeps or pigs are not adapted to walk through forests. So, in order to engage in the meat business, farmers have to destroy the arboreal vegeation. Tree depletion per se releases a lot of CO2, which aggravates climate change. Besides, when trees are removed, soil loses many of its properties, which ultimately could lead it to desertification; the worst possible case, in which soil is no longer fertile. The second point, is related with the animals per se. Cows release methane as they digest grass, methane per cow is neglible. But when we sum up millions of cows, every day, every year, for decades, the result is different. One of the main sources of current green gas emissions are cows. This are the main points, but there are other issues relevant, like biodiversity loss that is closely associated with meat industry (related to point 1). Switching to veganism, could have an environmental basis, but it is important to cover one hole, without opening a new one. That is, vegetables must be produced in a sustainable manner, without pesticides, and strict policies that ensure harmony with the environment. Which is hard to find nowadays. Another option is to reduce meat consumption, so you can have a mix diet: you have yiour vegan days, then you return to meat. The point is slowing down meat consumption.