Nearly 700 million people drink water contaminated with animal and human waste, and according to the country's Ministry of Water Resources, 190 million Chinese drink water so contaminated that it makes them sick.

CNN: Economic miracle, environmental disaster

As well as animal welfare concerns over rearing large numbers of farm animals in close proximity, the water use, farmland for animal feed, waste and greenhouse-gas emissions associated with meat production make it one of the most significant environmental problems in the world today.

CNN: Lab-grown meat gives food for thought

Effluent waste from these concentrated animal facilities are undermining what little clean water and healthy micro-nutrient cycles still exist out there.

FORBES: So Long To The Era Of Cheap Food?

They squander land, damage plant and animal species through the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides, and waste huge amounts of water.

CNN: A novice senator finds a new cause to fight for