Norma Dean

I think North Americans eat more meat because it is, and has been, available at reasonable prices. Many of our grandparents and parents were farmers where raising cattle and chickens was the norm. People did their own butchering. First Nations people, particularly in the West, were often nomadic and went where the buffalo and other game animals were available. They did not depend as much on grain or vegetable crops for food but rather focused on meat to survive. The eating of meat forms part of our traditions and celebrations. When farmers or First Nations used meat they either raised or hunted it was usually free range and much more humanitarian and produced much less pollution. Now feed lots and caged chicken, turkeys, etc add to pollution (I.e. methane gas from cattle, large quantities, off gas from manure) and and are much less humane 

Supporting local farmers that do not use chemicals during the growing season
Supporting local farmers who allow their livestock, and chickens to free range.