Wachutka said the influx of the transition to veganism and vegetarianism has had a positive impact on the environment.

“Being vegan, when you talk about energy, you’re eliminating an entire level. This is food energy that would be saved,” Wachutka said. “It actually saves quite a bit in terms of carbon dioxide output.”

Garcia said she became vegan because of her concerns with industrial agriculture.

“Cows in industrial agriculture are still slaughtered once they are done producing milk,” Garcia said.

After watching a documentary about the animal industry called “Cowspiracy,” Garcia said she learned about the positive environmental effects of veganism.

“Animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gasses than the whole transportation industry in total, so it’s pretty damaging to the Earth,” Garcia said.

Although junior Matthew Meredith is not vegetarian, he said he sees the environmental impact of not eating meat.

“I understand the environmental aspects of those diets, but I don’t understand how anyone in their right mind could stop eating meat,” Meredith said.

Wachutka said for students who don’t want to become vegetarian or vegan, they can alleviate their impact on the environment by purchasing locally sourced meats.

“If they are buying local, there would be less transportation, so less fuel burned. It would be eliminating machinery and transportation and industry involved in meat packing and selling in the grocery stores,” Wachutka said.