We need to talk about something unusual happening with our latest video, "The Final Nail in the Coffin to End Animal Agriculture?"—a well-researched and carefully reasoned exploration of a topic that demands urgent attention.
Over the years, we’ve built a strong, engaged audience—people who care about evidence, justice, and the urgent need for systemic change. In total our videos have reached millions, and while healthy debate is always welcome, we’ve never seen anything quite like this.
This time, the comments section is flooded with negativity—far beyond what we’d normally expect. Many of these comments have received an unusual number of upvotes in a suspiciously short time. The pattern suggests something more coordinated than organic disagreement.
Why does this matter?
Because mass-comment manipulation from a massively well-funded Meat and Dairy industry is a well-documented tactic used to drown out critical conversations. It’s an attempt to make it appear as though public sentiment is against an idea—even when the evidence overwhelmingly supports it. The goal? To discourage people from engaging, sharing, and taking action affecting their bottom line.
But here’s the good news: it only works if we let it.
If you find value in the video, please help counteract this by engaging with it—liking, sharing, and leaving thoughtful comments. Every genuine interaction helps ensure that the truth prevails over manufactured suppression.
Plant Based Treaty Los Angeles partners with American Red Cross to ensure plant-based options during disaster relief
When the Los Angeles wildfires hit, some of those sheltering at Pasadena’s convention center were initially unable to access plant-based food. However, our Plant Based Treaty Los Angeles team stepped in to make plant-based food available to those who needed it.
The American Red Cross is now working to ensure plant-based food options are widely available to people in emergencies, working with partners such as Plant Based Treaty. This week, they published a video, The Importance of Serving Plant-Based Foods During Disasters featuring Plant Based Treaty campaigner Samantha Lau and the work our team did to support relief efforts on the ground.
“A lot of people are eating plant-based for whatever reason,” says Samantha Lau in the video, “Could be dietary reasons, could be allergy, it could be lactose intolerance, religious reasons – for whatever reason that people choose to eat plant-based, we just want to make sure that they have access to it.”
Dairy Is Scary: The UK's FIRST Anti-Dairy Cinema Advert
The truth about dairy farming is a brutal secret - and it's time to expose it.
Did you know cows are made pregnant every year just to produce milk? And when their babies are born, they’re ripped away, with thousands of calves killed. That’s just the beginning. Cows are forced to produce up to 10 times more milk than natural, leading to disease, exhaustion, and early slaughter.
And the damage doesn't stop there. Dairy farming is wrecking the environment. But you won’t see any of this on milk cartons or yogurt labels.
‘Animality’ review: Ai Weiwei explores our often shocking relationship with animals
The filmmaker’s unflinching work bows at CPH:DOX
In China, men armed with poles work as a team to club to death the urban street dogs. A camel market in Egypt sees the animals hobbled, while the men assault the creatures with sticks and whips to further break their spirit. In Denmark, farmed mink sentenced to death as part of the country’s Covid-19 response claw frantically at the glass window of a mobile gas chamber. Artist, activist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei has never been someone to shy away from strong material in the service of making his point. But since the point of his latest documentary seems to be that humanity’s capacity for cruelty towards other living creatures is pretty much limitless, this is a frequently shocking and profoundly upsetting viewing experience.
Year in Review: Plant Based Treaty’s Biggest Wins in 2024
In 2024, the Plant Based Treaty team made history!
From 10 new cities endorsing the treaty to groundbreaking menu changes worldwide, we’ve been driving real climate action.
Despite record-breaking climate disasters, our campaigners and supporters fought tirelessly for plant-based solutions.
Our Mission: We promote a shift towards a just, plant-based food system that enables us to live safely within planetary boundaries and reforest the Earth.
Our Vision: We envision a global Plant Based Treaty attached to the Paris Agreement, with best practices in plant-based food policy implemented worldwide.
With your support, we can make an even bigger impact in 2025.
Help us push plant-based policies forward.
Donate now at www.plantbasedtreaty.org and be part of the change!
Humane Society debuts ad from director Johnny Kelly
Animal charity Humane Society International UK has launched a rebrand to Humane World for Animals to establish clarity in its mission to create lasting change for animals in the UK and around the world, with a TV ad from Nexus Studio envisioning a future without animal cruelty.
Set to a newly created rendition of Peter Gabriel’s iconic 1977 hit Solsbury Hill, recorded by pop superstar Sia, the ad brings the organisation’s mission to life.
The ad, created in partnership with director Johnny Kelly, uses stop-motion techniques with handmade puppets, cruelty-free materials and animal-friendly sets. Instead of focusing on abuse, the video highlights the vision that drives Humane World for Animals’ work—animals freed from suffering, experiencing love, protection and a brighter future. Each of the five animal stories featured in the ad carries profound meaning, showcasing the impact of the organisation’s global efforts to end animal cruelty.
Nexus Studios’ Johnny Kelly said: “Summoned by the clarion call of animal welfare and adorable miniature stop-motion puppets, we were able to amass an incredibly talented crew and create a unique hybrid approach incorporating LED screens. It was an experiment — but Nexus have a knack for jamming traditional techniques and high-end technology together so you get the best of both worlds—and in this instance it allowed us to dream big with our ambitions and storytelling. To tell stories that hint at the incredible work Humane World for Animals carries out around the globe.”
Viva! Reaching 46 MILLION People Through TV Adverts!!
Over the past three years, this Viva! TV advert has reached an incredible 46 MILLION people! That’s a huge number of seeds planted in the heart of the nation.
Viva! say ¨This success wouldn’t have been possible without your support. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to our TV advert fundraisers over the years – you’re the reason we’ve been able to make such a big impact!¨
Protect The Wild founder Rob Pownall says ¨This is one of those videos I wish I didn’t have to make, but here we are...¨
¨You may have noticed that in recent months, both Chris Packham and Brian May have stepped down from their roles at the RSPCA.
But why?
That’s exactly what I’ll be discussing in today’s video. I’ll share an honest look at what’s going wrong within the RSPCA and why they need to do so much more for animals.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share your feedback in the comments—I’m genuinely interested in what you have to say.¨
Also, Animal Rising and Animal Justice Project have done tremendous work with their RSPCA campaign - learn more about their work here: animalrising.org & animaljusticeproject.com
DOCUMENTARY: Plant Based Treaty at COP29 | Food Systems Change Not Climate Change
How a Small Team of Activists is Shaping the Future at the World’s Largest Climate Conference
Five passionate activists representing the Plant Based Treaty —from Spain, Belgium, Japan, and the United States—came together in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 to advocate for food systems change.
Although food-related emissions account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are often overlooked in climate discussions. When addressed, it's frequently in the context of greenwashing by powerful agricultural lobbyists.
Watch to discover the powerful impact made by the Plant Based Treaty team, whose efforts are inspiring global action for a safer and more just future.
California Bird Flu Crisis, Veganuary Impact on Meat-Eaters & more | Month In a Minute
The December 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
In December…
U.S. dietary guidelines should emphasize beans and lentils as protein, says The Dietary Guidelines for Americans in their 2025 report.
As California declares a state of emergency over bird flu in cattle, a mutation in H5N1 influenza surface protein could enable easier human infection.
An investigation asking if being anti-vegan is a distinct dietarian identity finds that anti-vegans appear to be fueled by a complex nexus of right-wing ideology, science skepticism and moral relativism.
Meat alternative consumers are still frowned upon in Europe, according to a new analysis, which states that they elicit admiration, envy, fear, contempt, and anger in observers.
A new industry-backed emissions metric could ‘completely derail’ climate action, campaigners warn, with claims the GWP* metric is “open to significant abuse”, and that adoption by governments could derail efforts to address livestock emissions.
And meat-eaters are more likely to be disgusted by meat after taking part in Veganuary, suggesting that people’s beliefs around their diets are likely to follow their actions.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the December media recap!
I am an Octopus (Narrated by Peter Egan) | #StopOctopusFarming
Peter Egan says "I am delighted to share that I have narrated a beautiful and powerful animation about octopus farming with my Plant Based Treaty friends."
Inspired by Greenpeace'sThere's A Monster in My Kitchen, Plant Based Treaty's talented animator Hoshimi Sakai shows us the frightening reality of the millions of octopuses destined to suffer if the multinational corporation Pescanova is granted a permit to build the world's first octopus factory farm.
In the animation, the octopus's life is shown in two contrasting versions—one where she is stuck inside a tank in an octopus farm and the other swimming happily and freely in the oceans. In the end, the humans learn an important lesson from the octopus and realize that all life is one. The epilogue is a reference to Leo Tolstoy's short story Esarhaddon, King of Assyria—a reminder that it is impossible to harm others without harming ourselves..
I am an octopus trapped in a tiny tank,
Crowded prison cells, which they call farms.
It’s dark, dirty and deadly, I can’t stretch my eight arms.
I am an octopus trapped in a tiny tank.
No solitude or peace, I weep and shake,
So a greedy two-armed man can take cash to the bank.
I don’t yet know how to get out and dream of escape…
I am an octopus who is free to roam the salty seas.
With eight arms I jet along the ocean floor.
I crawl, I climb and through rocks I squeeze,
To forage for food and explore.
When I feel sleepy or want to hide away,
I build a den using shells from scallops and clams.
When I see a shark, I fear I’ll become prey,
So my skin goes lumpy, bumpy, and changes color.
My home, the ocean, is dying.
Men steal fishes from the sea to feed us.
They say breeding us will save the planet, but they are lying.
The octopus farms cause me and the ocean so much harm.
The two-armed man artificially impregnates the females.
Then he prods and stabs us to find out how best to kill us.
Big business is trying to play God,
But Mother Nature strikes back with climate chaos.
I am an octopus but I am like you.
On the surface we may look very different -
Your blood is red and mine is blue,
You have one brain and I have nine.
Don’t eat my brainy arms,
They think and feel and are not for you to chew!
Drop your knife and raise your placards,
And shout out ‘NO, to octopus farms!’
Make your one heart big,
Listen to my one, two, three hearts beat.
The free rhythms of this short song called life
Ring-a-ding-ding ring–a-ding-ding, be my octopus defender!
Swimming in the ocean I feel so alive,
Now planet Earth can bustle and thrive.
Dive deep and show compassion,
Link your arms in octopus fashion,
Plant Based Treaty's petition to Stop Octopus Farming has over 140,000 signatures. They held global days of actions outside Spanish embassies and mobilised environmental scientists to submit objections to Pescanova's planning application. With your help, they can do so much more to save these magnificient creatures.
Avian Influenza Confirmed in Poultry, California Factory Farm Ban Fails & more | Month in a Minute
The November 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
In November…
Cop16 ends in disarray and indecision, as meat, oil and pesticide industry lobbyists turn out in record numbers.
Voters in California and Denver reject proposals to ban ‘factory farming’ and slaughterhouses.
A new comparative life cycle assessment of plant-based meats and conventional animal meats finds that plant-based meat reduces impact on global warming by 94% compared to beef, 88% compared to pork and 67% compared to chicken.
Cultivated meat company Vow unveils the world’s first cultured quail ‘foie gras’, while cultivated seafood producer Forsea announces a breakthrough in cell-cultured eel production.
Smaller meat portions contribute the most to reducing meat consumption in the United Kingdom, according to a new study, as low-meat meals present fewer barriers than adopting meat-free meals.
Meanwhile Avian influenza is confirmed in poultry in England, and in British Columbia a teen with avian flu is in critical condition, with the virus undergoing mutational changes that would make it easier for that version to infect people.
And RFK Jr’s plan to Make America Healthy Again is called into question, as he’s photographed tucking into a McDonald’s.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the November media recap!
Viva! has been at the forefront of change for 30 years. As you know, we have specialised in undercover investigations and high-profile campaigns since 1994, and in that time it’s incredible to see how far we have come.
But our work continues, and until a kinder sustainable world is created for humans and animals alike, our work will never be done.
Factory farmed animals face torture daily – we know because we’ve filmed it over and over again. Slaughtering animals who don’t want to die is obscenely cruel, and entirely unnecessary.
More than one billion animals are killed for meat in the UK every year, and most live in filthy overcrowded industrial-sized sheds.
In fact, Viva! has been a huge catalyst in triggering the vegan revolution. We are finally winning; but not fast enough.
Unity is strength and we need you to join us and help change the world – because that’s what’s needed. Join Viva! today and help our vital work continue for another 30 years.
We’ve filmed over 100 pig farms – filth, cages, suffering and despair, everywhere.
28 per cent of an estimated 10.4 billion eggs a year come from hens in overcrowded cages. They survive for just 18 months. And free range isn’t much better.
Viva! – first to expose duck factory farming. The number of ducks killed dropped from 19 million to 14 million.
Dairy – a cruel industry where mother cows are worked to death and male calves are the unwanted by-product.
Turkeys – tens of thousands to a shed. We exposed barbarity at Bernard Matthews and sales fell.
We went inside the UK’s four biggest chicken producers – and witnessed dead and dying birds everywhere.
Factory farming is unquestionably the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. It also pollutes our environment, degrades our wildlife and drives climate change. Yet the industry keeps on expanding.
A mucky business
Alongside our friends at Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, and Friends of the Earth, we’ve mapped out the pollution caused by slurry and manure from factory farms. This “muck” high in nitrogen and phosphates is spread on fields, some of the nutrients eventually washing into rivers.
The result? Soils in every region of England are now oversaturated with nitrogen. We see Special Areas of Conservation, such as the River Wye facing ecological crisis. The picture it paints is alarming – and it needs to stop here before it’s too late. Will you email Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and call on her to put an end to new factory farm proposals?
Agriculture is the number one cause of river pollution in the UK and the biggest contributor to wildlife decline in the UK. The nitrogen surplus is so high in many areas of England that it is damaging protected areas, and the new housing promised cannot be given authorisation to be built.
But there is a solution. Recently, a report from the Environmental Audit Committee made recommendations to the Government to reject planning applications for new factory farms in areas with already excessive nitrogen pollution. Makes sense, doesn’t it? The National Planning Policy Framework is currently being reviewed, so we have the chance to urge Angela Rayner to build in as a default that no new permissions for factory farming are granted where pollution is already damaging wildlife.
So now is our window of opportunity. We have a chance to strengthen the law and ensure that local authorities have clear power to reject planning applications for new factory farms. It takes just two minutes to send your email to Angela Rayner and help stop the spread of cruel and polluting intensive livestock farming. Are you ready to act now?
You will have seen and heard about the bad conditions on our waterways, rivers, lakes, shores and coasts.
Clean water is precious, both to us and wildlife, as Sir David Attenborough has stressed in his major wildlife conservation series on BBC 1, “Wild Isles”. Fixing it will be a massive challenge and costs will be high affecting what we will have to pay. But who is getting richer too? And how? It’s a scandal, involving what amounts to a crime, or rather a number of crimes. So, in addition to the massive media coverage and long-term news campaigns, we offer a film “POODUNNIT?” Different from the inevitable foul examples in what were pristine rivers “POODUNNIT?” tracks down the potential culprits with several Sherlock Holmes logos (+ farts!) in an hour-long hunt for the criminals on one of Britain’s most favourite rivers – the Wye, which flows between England and Wales – 155 miles. The journey follows the threatened Wye, through one year, from source to sea, using that ace fisherman the heron, and the handsome wild duck the mallard, as our guides, revealing whodunit? along the course of the dying Wye. This is a wildlife detective story, very watchable, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but with a serious intention, plus outstanding wildlife film production values with BBC Natural History Unit experience. Watch it. Become a Sherlock Holmes and find out! “POODUNNIT?” Whodunnit? Is doing it?
Have you ever wondered what a fully vegan world could look like?
The Vegan Society are excited to announce that their brand-new immersive campaign, The Future is Vegan, now launched!
"In honour of our 80th anniversary, this exciting and one-of-a-kind campaign looks forward to what the next 80 years of the vegan movement will bring.
Donald Watson, one of the key founders of The Vegan Society, will be your guide.
Head to our campaign website via the green button and explore today on desk top. Be sure to share widely with friends, family and on social media to amplify our message and inspire change."
"Best Documentary 2024" - 'CHRISTSPIRACY' is now FREE to watch online.
It started with a question we weren't supposed to ask...
What Would Jesus Do? Kill?
Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret is a thrilling, eye-opening documentary revealing the most explosive cover-up in 2,000 years.
As two fearless filmmakers journey across the world, they unravel a hidden conspiracy that has twisted sacred teachings, manipulated religions, and deceived humanity for centuries. With the stakes higher than ever, they expose the powerful forces that have shaped our beliefs and betrayed the core principles of truth, compassion, and freedom that lie at the heart of every spiritual path.
This is the documentary they don't want you to see—will you dare to uncover the truth?
Watch for FREE on the website, and you can also Pay it Forward to allow anyone in the world to watch Christspiracy.
The film-makers say "Everyone must see this film, but not everyone can afford to pay. That’s where you come in.
Our original streaming partner demanded we redact key information from the film, which took seven years and over a million dollars to produce. After boldly buying our film rights back, and creating this independent platform, Christspiracy is now freely accessible and uncensored. We intend to keep it this way, but we cannot do it alone."
On World Vegan Day (Nov 1st) Ed released Matilda and the Brave Escape, a new family-friendly animated short film narrated by Bella Ramsey. It's based on the incredible true story of Matilda, a pig who escaped from a farm in the UK and gave birth to her piglets in a nearby woodland - saving herself and her piglets from certain death..
But this is not just a story of one pig’s fight for freedom; it is a call to action reminding us that every animal deserves a life free from exploitation. Ed's hope is that viewers of all ages will be inspired to see animals as the amazing individuals that they are.
Ed says "It would mean the world to myself and the team if you could watch and share the film with a non-vegan loved one in your life."
Matilda now lives with her family in safety at Surge Sanctuary. Winter is fast approaching and if you'd like to sponsor the real Matilda or contribute to the upkeep and care of all the animals at Surge Sanctuary, donations allow the sanctuary team to continue providing the best lives possible for Matilda, her children and the other residents.
Head over to matildaandthebraveescape.com to learn more about the film, how to go vegan and to find out more about the real Matilda!
Prop 12 Divides Farmers, California's Dairy Crisis, WWF's 2024 Report & more | Month in a Minute
The October 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
The WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report reveals that over the past 50 years, wildlife populations have shrunk by 73%, due to habitat loss caused by unsustainable agriculture, with 82% of all agricultural lands used for grazing and producing feed for livestock.
As bird flu deaths mount among California dairy cows, with a higher than expected 10% to 15% mortality rate, two new human cases are diagnosed in California, with experts stating “we could have a major human outbreak."
Meanwhile bird-flu infected cattle are dumped at a California roadside.
Pork producers launch an ad campaign fighting for a federal solution to Prop 12, with adverts claiming small family farmers will be crushed.
Meanwhile, a new report highlights farmers supporting Prop 12, with some claiming “we tore all our gestation crates out… and we’re doing better."
And in the the UK, lab-grown meat could be sold in next few years, with applications for lab-grown steak, beef, chicken and foie gras already submitted.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the October media recap!
Animal Activism On and Off Screen examines the relationship between animal advocacy and the film and television industries.
Leading scholars, activists, and film industry professionals critically analyse the ways in which animal activism has been represented inside and outside film and television programs in relation to the politics of celebrity, vegan, and animal activism.
Case studies include UK, US, and German television crime fiction, feature-length advocacy documentaries such as Blackfish (2013), The Ghosts in Our Machine (2013), The Animal People (2019) and Meat the Future (2020); fiction films such as Okja (2017) and Cloud Atlas (2012); as well as celebrity chefs, French activism and celebrity activists Pamela Anderson, Joaquin Phoenix and James Cromwell.
By exploring three key aspects of the current context for animal rights: representations of activism on screen; activist texts and their reception; and celebrity vegans and animal advocates, Animal Activism On and Off Screen evaluates the efficacy of advocacy narratives in film and on television, and offers important insights intended to inform animal advocacy strategies and campaigns.
“A great read for those interested in activism, how the media spreads messages, and how the cultural landscape around us is formed.” – Anthony Morris, Books+Publishing
Published by Sydney University Press on the 3rd of July 2024
This slaughter of whales and dolphins can't go on – Megan McCubbin
Why The Faroese Whale Slaughter Must End ... Megan McCubbin says:
"Many of you will have seen the horrific footage shared on social media this year of the whale slaughter – or grindadráp as its known – that continues to take place in the Faroe Islands despite international outcry.
I wanted to visit the islands myself to find out why the Faroese are still continuing killing these beautiful whales and dolphins in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises, and failing ocean ecosystems.
I also wanted to draw attention to the relationship we have with this slaughter, right here in the UK. The free trade agreement in place between the UK and the Faroe Islands currently sees over £1 billion worth of fish products imported into the UK every year – in contrast we export little over £33 million of UK products to the Faroese.
I think that we have a right to choose where are money is spent, and which countries and economies we support. That’s why I’m calling upon the UK Government to suspend the free trade agreement with the Faroe Islands.
Join me and write to your MP today, asking them to back the campaign. Slash Trade, Not Whales!
Hottest Summer on Record, First Human H5 Bird Flu Case, Tyson's Lawsuit & more | Month in a Minute
The September 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
Summer 2024 is officially the hottest on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, with calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A judge in Brazil orders slaughterhouses to pay for Amazon reforestation, after buying cattle from a protected area of the former rainforest.
Meat giant Tyson Foods is sued over deceptive ‘Net-Zero’ and ‘Climate-Smart’ beef claims, with the lawsuit alleging Tyson omits key sources of emissions including grazing and animal feed production.
A report on transforming land use finds that a 50% shift toward alternative proteins requires 47 million fewer acres of cropland to produce the same amount of protein.
The CDC confirms a human H5 Bird Flu case in Missouri, the first case of H5 without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals.
US pressure weakens global commitments on antimicrobial resistance, with targets to cut the use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture dropped from a key United Nations political declaration.
Kevin Hart’s vegan restaurant chain Hart House closes all locations.
And a new study on vegan versus meat-based dog food finds that dogs fed vegan diets had the best health outcomes, and this trend was clear and consistent.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the September media recap!
Insect Advocacy at the Animal Vegan Advocacy Summit
Did you know that there are over 10 quintillion insects alive in the world at this very moment? Find out how we advocated for them at the Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit!
In Defense of Animals’ Wild Animals Campaigner Katie Nolan attended the Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit in May where she participated in a panel focused on Crustacean and Insect Advocacy. Her focus was on the often-overlooked world of insects and how critical their protection is, not just for their own wellbeing but for the wellbeing of the environment and humans too!
The sheer number of insects on the planet is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to extend our advocacy to them. Insects also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and they provide the food we humans need to survive as well through their industrious activities! According to the USDA, around one in every three bites of food we take is thanks to an animal pollinator.
More and more evidence is surfacing proving that insects are sentient, intelligent, feel pain, and experience other emotions like joy. In light of this, it is more important than ever that we extend compassion to these small beings by treating them with respect and thoughtfulness. There are so many ways we can do this in our everyday lives!
Vegan Diet Slows Aging, Meat Consumption Linked to Type-2 Diabetes & More | Month in a Minute
The August 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
A new study on the epigenetic impact of vegan vs. omnivorous diets on aging finds the vegan cohort exhibited significant decreases in overall epigenetic age acceleration.
Meanwhile, meat consumption is linked to type-2 diabetes risk, with a meta-analysis of almost 2 million adults across 20 countries.
Sea lions with cameras attached are being used to map the ocean floor, with scientists claiming “The more we learn about them, the better chance we’ll have to manage them and protect them.”
A report on the global power of Big Agriculture’s lobbying finds that US agribusiness interests spend more on lobbying than defense and oil.
Florida is sued over its ban on lab-grown meat by Upside Foods, who argue the ban is unconstitutional.
Plant-based companies should follow the electric vehicle handbook, a new report says, by utilizing subsidies, climate targets, and adopting a strategy of open innovation.
As Japan harpoons its first fin-whale in half a century, the NOAA announces over $9 million for partnerships to recover North Atlantic right whales.
And the anonymous artist Banksy reveals a series of wildlife paintings over London, culminating in a mural of a gorilla at London Zoo helping other animals to escape.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the August media recap!
Earthling Ed tried to turn ChatGPT into a vegan activist.
In this video, Ed discusses veganism with ChatGPT.
They talk about whether or not we have a moral obligation to be vegan, if meat eaters are hypocrites, if the animal farming industries manipulate us deliberately and much more.
The new film is inspired by two real life animal rescues
Evanna Lynch is collaborating with the nonprofit Generation Vegan on a new animated short film titled Sanctuary, which is based on the real-life rescue of two pigs on their way to a slaughterhouse.
The animated short tells the story of a mother and daughter who run an animal sanctuary. The pair rescue a hurt cow who escapes when the livestock lorry carrying them to slaughter crashes in the rain.
The concept and script for Sanctuary were created by Generation Vegan (GenV) Brazil Marketing Director Isa Siano, who cited the real-life rescue of two pigs known as “the Marias” and Indigo the calf.
The Marias were rescued from an overturned truck while Indigo was famously carried out of a Los Angeles slaughterhouse by vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix. All three animals, along with Indigo’s mother Liberty, now reside in animal sanctuaries.
"Mindful Moments in Nature" from our fabulous founder, Piers Warren, and a thanks!
Last month's Wildlife Film News (WFN300) was our 25th Anniversary Edition ... Twenty five years since Piers Warren launched Wildlife-film.com as an online community and much-needed resource, helping and connecting wildlife film-makers from all around the World.
I don't think Piers has ever really been given the credit he deserves for his services to the wildlife film-making community ... no wildlife film festival accolades ... for starting this resource and for nurturing the next, and then the next, generation of wildlife film-makers in the UK, and all around the World.
So, I'd like to say:
"Thank you Piers, for all you've done for our community, for wildlife conservation, and personally for me ... You're the best!" JP
If you have a story about any of your experiences with Piers, through this site, on a Wildeye course, on an overseas filming trip, through his books or at films festivals, and want to share, say thanks, please get in touch with your message: member@wildlife-film.com
Piers says "These days I still produce short videos on nature, wildlife, growing food and cooking, including a series of 'Mindful Moments in Nature' films." and I love watching them, so am sharing them here for you all to take a mindful few moments out of your day to relax in nature:
"Mindful Moments in Nature is a series of short films made in nature by Piers Warren with no narration or music but with sounds of nature. It has been scientifically proved that digital nature - such as watching these mindful moments - is good for our mental health - especially if we can't get out into real nature!"
July's Hottest Day Ever Recorded, Rancher Fined $50M for Amazon Damage & more | Month in a Minute
The July 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
July sees the world’s hottest ever recorded day, due to the carbon pollution spewed from burning fossils and farming livestock
A Brazilian cattle rancher is ordered to pay $50m for damage to the Amazon in the largest civil case brought for climate crimes in Brazil to date
Meanwhile wild sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, scientists say, after dissecting the bodies of 13 sharpnose sharks caught in fishermen’s nets
California’s factory farms are perilously close to your produce, a report finds, with a worrying 93 percent located within a mile of a water source for irrigating fresh produce
Butter made from CO2 instead of cows tastes like ‘the real thing’, claims Bill Gates-backed startup Savor, as Britain approves Lab-Grown Meat for pet food, a first for Europe
Hens appear to blush when scared or excited, researchers find
Australia votes to end live sheep exports by 2028
And psychologist Jordan Peterson draws ridicule for suggesting to Elon Musk that a carnivore diet will fix his back injuries.
Building Muscle on a Vegan Diet: Expert Advice from Dr. Matthew Nagra
In this interview with Dr. Matthew Nagra, a plant-based naturopathic doctor, we explore his journey into plant-based nutrition, sparked by personal health challenges and a desire to integrate lifestyle-based nutritional interventions with medical treatments.
What you can expect:
Personal Journey: Dr. Nagra discusses his transition to plant-based eating due to health issues like asthma and allergies, and how dietary changes dramatically improved his condition.
Professional Insights: Learn about the gap between conventional medical treatments and nutritional interventions and how Dr. Nagra navigates these challenges in his practice.
Debunking Myths: Dr. Nagra addresses common misconceptions about plant-based proteins' bioavailability and completeness, providing scientific clarity to popular dietary myths.
Nutritional Advice: Tips on building muscle and maintaining health on a plant-based diet, especially for those with specific health concerns like diabetes.
Challenges in Nutrition: The conversation also touches on the difficulties posed by widespread misinformation online, where anyone with a social media account might pose as a nutrition expert.
So, vegan products are being 'blended' with actual meat and dairy now?
In the UK, the idea of blending plants and animal products together to create a range of hybrid products is becoming an increasingly popular concept.
This is particularly because of Smug Dairy and Quorn. But is this idea actually a good idea or will it actually lead to more animal products being consumed overall? After all, who are these products actually for?
In today's video Earthling Ed dives into the subject and discuss what my thoughts and feelings are about this emerging and highly controversial range of food products.
Earthlings, the Iconic Documentary that Made Vegans All Over the World
Discover how Earthlings became the groundbreaking film that inspired a global vegan movement
In 2005, viewers around the world were introduced to Earthlings, a documentary that would forever change the way they viewed their relationship with animals. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring a haunting score by Moby, Earthlings delves deep into the hidden realities of animal exploitation across various industries, from factory farming to scientific research. This powerful film exposed the cruel practices behind closed doors and sparked a worldwide movement toward veganism and compassionate living.
Earthlings uses hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage — much of it graphic — to reveal the suffering endured by animals in factory farms, pet stores, puppy mills, and other industries. Directed by Shaun Monson and executive produced by Libra Max, the documentary exposes the suffering animal exploitation industries inflict on trillions of sentient beings and the profound consequences of our everyday choices on countless animals’ lives.
Shaun Monson, the visionary behind the film, initially began filming in 1999 to provide public service announcements on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. However, the disturbing footage he captured led him to create a comprehensive documentary. “Joaquin’s narration for Earthlings was recorded four times,” Monson recalls, emphasizing the dedication and emotional depth required to bring the film to life.
By the end of the film, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the urgent need to change the way we treat nonhuman animals. There have been many vegan documentaries since Earthlings premiered almost two decades ago, but – perhaps – no other film has turned more people vegan than this groundbreaking masterpiece.
EARTHLINGS is a 2005 American documentary film about humankind's total dependence on animals for economic purposes. Presented in five chapters (pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research) the film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, featuring music by Moby, and was written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.
Groundbreaking Documentary ‘They’re Trying To Kill Us’ Exposes The Link Between Diet And Racism
The hugely anticipated film is now available to watch online for free!
While growing up in Ferguson, Missouri, John Lewis and his family lived on a diet high in animal protein and processed food. But after his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer almost two decades ago, he started a journey that led him to become a staunch and vocal advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Lewis’ groundbreaking documentary, They’re Trying To Kill Us, which explores structural racism within the US food system, is now available to watch for free online.
The film is executively produced by NBA star Chris Paul and singer Billie Eilish. It looks at how people of color are disproportionately affected by high rates of chronic disease and premature death. This, the film says, is because of the racist design of the food system, and did not happen by accident. Lewis – known as “Badass Vegan” on social media – features as a protagonist and narrator of the film, traveling around the US uncovering the intersection of race and diet. Throughout the documentary, he makes eye-opening discoveries about the health disparities affecting minorities in the country.
“It’s a film about food injustice and social justice through the lens of Hip Hop,” Lewis previously said in an interview. “People have been beat down for so long that they believe that most of the health problems that we suffer from are hereditary and not a choice of what we actually eat.”
The fight against the meat industry has been rocky. Can it be won?
What if we told you that there is a simple way for humanity to slash climate-warming emissions, help prevent the next pandemic, and simultaneously eradicate one of the most significant moral atrocities of our time — one that nearly all of us bear some responsibility for?
We’re talking, of course, about factory farming. In 2024, it’s hardly a secret that the billions of animals raised for food are treated abysmally. They are, to name just a few standard industry practices, caged, mutilated without pain relief, and intensively bred to the point that they live in chronic pain and even struggle to stand up, before being slaughtered, often painfully.
The sheer scale of this system defies comprehension. Every year, humans kill 80 billion land animals — 10 times more than there are people on Earth — and an even larger, poorly tracked number of fish.
Yet factory farming is only expanding its reach around the globe, despite decades of animal advocacy striving to stop it, because it’s the most efficient way to produce lots of meat for a world of 8 billion people.
We think there’s a better way. This week, Future Perfect is publishing How Factory Farming Ends, a package of stories on the past and future of the movement against factory farming; its struggle to change our culture, politics, and palates; and how it might yet make real progress. This series is supported by Animal Charity Evaluators, which received a grant from Builders Initiative.
Some stories delve into the animal rights movement’s fraught relationship with the climate and public health communities, and the prospects for building meaningful coalitions. Others scrutinize the animal rights movement from its 19th-century glory days, when vegetarianism was popular among utopian social reformers, to its present-day alienation from other progressive causes, to the messy, often maddening but essential legacy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
"Our hope is that these stories will challenge policy leaders and the broader public to imagine a kinder, saner, truly sustainable food system." — Marina Bolotnikova, deputy editor, Future Perfect
On 3 July 2024, the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, attended by celebrities, royalty and over 300,000 spectators, became the scene of a bold Viva! protest. A Viva! campaigner, dressed as a chef and holding carving forks, revealed a realistic model of a dog being roasted on a spit alongside a banner reading "The Great Dog Roast". This shocking display launched Viva!’s latest campaign: Are You an Animal Lover?
In the UK, where nearly 60 per cent of homes are now believed to have a cat or dog, companion animals have undoubtedly won their favour as cherished family members. Yet the cognitive dissonance persists – we raise and slaughter 1.2 billion land animals each year, almost all of whom have been proven to exhibit a remarkable capacity for deep emotional bonds and suffering, just like our beloved moggies and pooches.
It's time to face the facts: there’s no excuse to eat one and love the other. Learn more and find out how you can get involved: viva.org.uk/action-animal-lover
People are quitting veganism. Is this why?
In this video, Earthling Ed is talking about ex-vegans.
However, rather than focussing on this issue from the perspective of influencers making videos announcing they're no longer vegan, he wanted to approach this conversation by talking about everyday people who stop being vegan.
To do this, he focuses on two types of vegans. The first being the vegan who dives headfirst into the community and becomes completely immersed in veganism, and the second being the person who goes vegan on their own with no support from their family or social circles.
Ed Winters is a best-selling author, vegan educator, public speaker and content creator. Ed has spoken at over 1/3 of UK universities and at every Ivy league college, including as a guest lecturer and Media & Design Fellow at Harvard University.
Renowned Plant-Based Physician Dr John McDougall Dies Aged 77
Dr John McDougall, the renowned author and physician known for his advocacy of low fat plant-based diets, has died aged 77.
In a statement, his family described him as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend,” and said that he died peacefully in his sleep last Saturday (June 22).
Dr McDougall pursued a healthcare career after suffering from a stroke aged 18. He was left with a lifelong disability as a result of the stroke, which gave him a passion for transforming the healthcare system.
He wrote a number of books on diets, including The McDougall Plan, which was a New York Times bestseller. He was a member of the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit health organization promoting preventative medicine and advocating for plant-based diets.
The Environmental Impact of Meat, Denmark's Tax on Ag, the REAL Meat Act & more | Month in a Minute
The June 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
A new study on the trade-offs between animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat claims that choosing lower-carbon meat products means killing more animals
A company that bred beagles for research pleads guilty to neglect, and is ordered to pay $35m in penalties that amounts to the largest ever levied in an animal-welfare case
Rep. Warren Davidson introduces The REAL Meat Act of 2024 which prohibits federal funding for the research, production, advancement, or enhancement of cell-cultured meat
In the UK police try to stop an escaped cow by ramming it with their car
Denmark is to charge farmers €100 a cow in a world-first carbon tax on agriculture
Iceland issues a license for 128 fin whales to be hunted this year, as commentators herald the return of whaling in a major victory over the global conservation movement
Colorado ranchers can now kill wolves using night vision imaging, if the wolves are in the act of attacking livestock
And a rare white buffalo calf was born in Yellowstone National Park
Misinformation to Demonize Vegan Food Exposed in New Report
A new report by the Freedom Food Alliance exposes a campaign of misinformation, run by the animal agriculture industry, aiming to demonize vegan food...
The noticeable rise of veganism in the last few decades has triggered a response, a highly organized misinformation campaign by the animal agriculture industry aimed at stopping the plant-based movement in its tracks. So argues a new, 100+ page report that warns, “There is a multi-million dollar effort by industry and their allies to slow down the shift from animal-sourced foods to plant-based ones, despite a growing scientific consensus highlighting the environmental and public health imperatives.”
Using propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation, the industry campaign has achieved significant success in demonizing alternatives proteins, particularly veggie burgers and plant-based chicken alternatives by denigrating vegan meat replacements as “processed” or “ultra-processed” while ignoring the fact that processed meat has been declared to be cancer-causing by the World Health Organization. The Cancer Council notes, “The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there’s strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer. Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer.” Nevertheless, uncritical acceptance by many mainstream reporters and social media influencers of unfairly alarmist warnings about processed, plant-based foods has allowed this canard to gain significant traction, negatively impacting the plant-based food sector.
The Vegan Cavalry Has Arrived!
Now, the vegan movement is finally fighting back with the creation of the Freedom Food Alliance. The group’s mission is to expose misinformation about veganism and vegan food. Led by renowned digital media expert Robbie Lockie, this new group, based in the UK, just released this detailed report exposing the meat industry’s propaganda machine. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell interviewed Lockie and you can watch the entire conversation here.
Exposing Misinformation
Robbie Lockie is a digital media expert and food transparency campaigner with over 20 years of experience in user experience design, web development, and video production. Besides being the founder and CEO of The Freedom Food Alliance, Lockie is also a co-founder and former director of Plant Based News. Lockie is also a strategic advisor and media ambassador for the Plant Based Treaty, a landmark international treaty that puts food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis. Lockie explains what inspired them to create the new group.
“Over the last decade, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the volume of misleading information that we see on social media, the mainstream media and outdoor media through advertising. The industry has become increasingly effective at using digital advertising and mainstream media to pedal a specific narrative, mostly a false narrative, about plant-based diets, plant-based meats, the vegan lifestyle, vegan activism, and activists themselves. They’re using every trick in the book to try to push back against what is a global movement of people.”
The Freedom Food Alliance’s new report is called, “Harvesting Denial, Distractions, & Deception: Understanding Animal Agriculture’s Disinformation Strategies and Exploring Solutions.” Here is how Lockie summarizes it:
“This report is a deep dive, known as our foundation report, which we did with the amazing scientist Nicholas Carter. He is the lead author and environmental scientist on this project, currently working for the Game Changers Institute. His focus with this report was really to expose some of the biggest players in these misinformation and disinformation campaigns, to try to help people understand just how insidious they are, and the effect that it has throughout society.”
RSPCA: Covering Up Cruelty | Damning Nationwide Investigation
Animal Rising have investigated 45 RSPCA Assured farms in the last four months.
"We have seen thousands of animals living in overcrowded and filthy sheds, living and dying in pain from lack of care.
The RSPCA is failing to protect millions of animals stuck in farms nationwide. They talk of 'improving the lives of farmed animals' but place their seal of approval on farms and practices which go against every standard they claim to endorse."
Did you know that one in three fish caught in the wild are used for non-human consumption, including the fishmeal that is added to farmed animal feeds?
Bird Flu Risks in Dairy Cattle, Net Zero Emissions in Agrifood & more | Month in a Minute
The May 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
A new study finds isotopic evidence of a high reliance on plant food among Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers in Morocco, challenging the prevailing notion of a high reliance on animal proteins among pre-agricultural humans.
Lab-grown meat is banned in Florida and Alabama, while Iowa signs in a law requiring lab-grown meat to be clearly labeled.
Japan's new 9,300-ton whaling vessel sets sail on its first hunt with plans to catch around 200 whales by the end of the year.
Cows have human flu receptors, a new study shows, raising the stakes on a bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle.
Meanwhile the Biden Administration is to pay dairy farmers for bird flu protective measures, after farm owners have been reluctant to allow state and federal officials access to cows due to fears of the financial consequences.
A new report from The World Bank on achieving net zero emissions in the Agrifood system suggests shifting subsidies for red meat and dairy toward lower-emission foods, such as poultry or fruits and vegetables.
Another yacht sinks after the latest incident involving orcas in the strait of Gibraltar, continuing a trend that was first reported in May 2020.
And wolverines are to be reintroduced into Colorado after being wiped out from the state in the early 1900s.
During my recent Italian book tour, I had a lot of opportunities to speak to vegans. As a result, I was able to hear lots of very moving, profound and inspiring stories. These stories and the questions I was asked really got me thinking about the vegan experience and what it's like to exist as a vegan in a non-vegan world, as well as some of the challenges, trials and hardships that we face.
Non-vegans presume that the hardest part of going vegan is finding food or getting enough vitamin B12 and yet, in my experience, these are far from the hardest part of being vegan. So in my most recent video, I thought I would sit down and chat about my experience as a vegan and what I genuinely struggle with. I’d love to know in the comments if you agree with what I say and for you to share your own experiences too.
Factory farming is unquestionably the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. It also pollutes our environment, degrades our wildlife and drives climate change. Yet the industry keeps on expanding.
A mucky business
Alongside our friends at Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, and Friends of the Earth, we’ve mapped out the pollution caused by slurry and manure from factory farms. This “muck” high in nitrogen and phosphates is spread on fields, some of the nutrients eventually washing into rivers.
The result? Soils in every region of England are now oversaturated with nitrogen. We see Special Areas of Conservation, such as the River Wye facing ecological crisis. The picture it paints is alarming – and it needs to stop here before it’s too late. Will you email Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and call on her to put an end to new factory farm proposals?
Agriculture is the number one cause of river pollution in the UK and the biggest contributor to wildlife decline in the UK. The nitrogen surplus is so high in many areas of England that it is damaging protected areas, and the new housing promised cannot be given authorisation to be built.
But there is a solution. Recently, a report from the Environmental Audit Committee made recommendations to the Government to reject planning applications for new factory farms in areas with already excessive nitrogen pollution. Makes sense, doesn’t it? The National Planning Policy Framework is currently being reviewed, so we have the chance to urge Angela Rayner to build in as a default that no new permissions for factory farming are granted where pollution is already damaging wildlife.
So now is our window of opportunity. We have a chance to strengthen the law and ensure that local authorities have clear power to reject planning applications for new factory farms. It takes just two minutes to send your email to Angela Rayner and help stop the spread of cruel and polluting intensive livestock farming. Are you ready to act now?
You will have seen and heard about the bad conditions on our waterways, rivers, lakes, shores and coasts.
Clean water is precious, both to us and wildlife, as Sir David Attenborough has stressed in his major wildlife conservation series on BBC 1, “Wild Isles”. Fixing it will be a massive challenge and costs will be high affecting what we will have to pay. But who is getting richer too? And how? It’s a scandal, involving what amounts to a crime, or rather a number of crimes. So, in addition to the massive media coverage and long-term news campaigns, we offer a film “POODUNNIT?” Different from the inevitable foul examples in what were pristine rivers “POODUNNIT?” tracks down the potential culprits with several Sherlock Holmes logos (+ farts!) in an hour-long hunt for the criminals on one of Britain’s most favourite rivers – the Wye, which flows between England and Wales – 155 miles. The journey follows the threatened Wye, through one year, from source to sea, using that ace fisherman the heron, and the handsome wild duck the mallard, as our guides, revealing whodunit? along the course of the dying Wye. This is a wildlife detective story, very watchable, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but with a serious intention, plus outstanding wildlife film production values with BBC Natural History Unit experience. Watch it. Become a Sherlock Holmes and find out! “POODUNNIT?” Whodunnit? Is doing it?
Bird Flu in Cattle? WHO Raises Alarm as U.S. Faces Growing Dairy Crisis | Month in a Minute
The April 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
The U.S. Meat Lobby Celebrates the ‘Positive Outcome’ of COP28, as initiatives failed to set binding targets, or broach the question of reducing herds of ruminant livestock.
Meanwhile, experts say the UN livestock emissions report, released at Cop28, seriously distorted our work, by underestimating the potential of reduced meat intake to cut agricultural emissions, with systematic errors, poor framing, and highly inappropriate use of source data.
In Europe, French farmers pour manure on the office of a biodiversity agency, amid warnings that the EU green deal is at ‘very high’ risk of being killed off if the far right made significant gains in the June EU parliamentary elections
Colombian Amazon deforestation surges as armed groups tighten grip, with a 40% increase in the first three months of this year than in 2023, due to the encroachment of cattle farming.
Bird flu jumping to humans is an ‘enormous concern’, says the World Health Organisation, as experts suggest ground-up chicken waste fed to cattle may be behind the bird flu outbreak in US cows, which is now at 33 dairy farms and counting.
And The American Association of Bovine Practitioners reacts by urging others to stop referring to it as "bird flu in cattle" in order to “maintain confidence in the safety and accessibility of beef and dairy products for consumers” - just in time for the FDA to announce they found bird flu particles in pasteurized milk.
Why ‘I Could Never Go Vegan’ wants to change the way we all eat
5 life-changing revelations from the hard-hitting new doc
There are plenty of films that act as polemics for the vegan-curious – and if you’ve watched one, you’re probably already on the path. None, however, have hit upon the ingenious format of UK filmmaker Thomas Pickering’s new doc I Could Never Go Vegan. One by one, the film addresses the excuses even the most environmentally-conscious and animal-loving omnivores make for resisting the lure of the plant-based lifestyle.
Backed by exec-producer and committed vegan Alicia Silverstone, this persuasive doc busts meat-eating myths and challenges the arguments against a plant-based lifestyle. Here’s five things we learned from the film.
1. You need to eat more fibre – a lot more
2. You don’t need meat to get built
3. You – personally – can save a 100 animals this year
4. Soy boys make the best lovers
5. Plant-based diets may save the planet
The new Animal Rising Channel on UnchainedTV shows videos of the daring UK animal rights organization known for their press-grabbing, direct-action campaigns
In the last few years, activists with the famous UK animal rights group Animal Rising have repeatedly used dramatic protests to make front page headlines in British media. Now, they have another platform to spread their message: the Animal Rising Channel on UnchainedTV.
Animal Rising has made global news with its risk-taking actions. These include disrupting the most important horse racing event in the UK called The Grand National, rescuing lambs from one of King Charles’ estates, and occupying massive dairy factories. Many of the activists have been arrested — some of them tackled quite brutally — and faced prosecution for their daring, but non-violent, actions. However, this is a price many of them seem willing to pay to reach bigger audiences with their animal rights message. After a rebranding in 2023, Animal Rising activists stand out as a unit by wearing matching pink sweatshirts with an upside-down letter A.
As Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher showed, these marvellous creatures are too intelligent to be factory farmed — Philip Lymbery
The mind of an octopus can be compared to a three-year-old child’s. Are we really going to trap them in barren tanks of water while they await slaughter for food?
Camera-shutter eyes blinked as tentacles waved like an elephant’s trunk. A pink, bulbous head formed the epicentre of a complexity of flesh waiting to make the next move. Yet, there was nowhere to go. It was a travesty of nature. An octopus trying to figure out why on earth they were trapped in a barren tank. A snapshot of something that should never be. An animal of the wide oceans now confined for farming’s new frontier.
Octopus are fascinating creatures suffused with nervousness and famed for their intelligence. The brain of an octopus has 500 million neurons, making them as smart as a dog or three-year-old child. But unlike us, an octopus’s neurons are arranged throughout their entire body. Curious problem-solvers, they have a long memory. They can remember how to open a screw-top jar months later. In captivity, they’ve been known to squirt keepers they don’t like and steal fish from adjacent tanks.
If that wasn’t enough to put anyone off farming them, then perhaps their appetite for other fish should make us think again. It means that captive rearing is far from a free lunch. It relies on catching wild fish to feed them. Which means taking three times more weight of fish from the ocean as feed than given back by the ‘end product’. So rather than protecting the oceans, farming octopus would put them under yet more pressure.
Award-winning Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher brought the sensitivities of these intelligent creatures to our living rooms. It showed South Africa-based filmmaker, Craig Foster exploring an underwater kelp forest where he befriended a curious young octopus. Foster described how the greatest lesson his octopus mentor taught him was that humans are part of the natural world around us, and not simply visitors.
And therein lies a lesson: that we should avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by bringing yet more species into degrading farm practices. That compassion, respect, and kinship should be at the forefront of how we treat the fellow creatures with whom we share this lonely planet.
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.
Amphibious Soul: Finding the wild in a tame world by Craig Foster
An awe-inspiring narrative about the power of nature and our place within it, from the creator of My Octopus Teacher, filmmaker Craig Foster.
An adventure story, love story, travelogue, naturalist memoir, and spiritual guide, Craig Foster's Amphibious Soul is a scientist and adventurer’s perspective on “rewilding” – developing a deep connection to our animal selves that can reinvigorate our lives. Told in Craig’s warm and passionate voice, this extraordinary book will change not only the way we interact with the natural world, but the way we fundamentally see ourselves.
Published by Thorsons, 23rd May 2024, available at Amazon.co.uk
Is Veganism Dead? Mic The Vegan investigates ...
Are all the hot and smart people no longer vegan and instead eating meat and drinking raw milk like one carnivore tweet claims?
What about those closing restaurants and underwhelming plant-based companies?
‘Food For Profit’: The New Documentary On Factory Farming In Europe
Food For Profit explores the huge business of European factory farming
An explosive new animal rights documentary is set for release later this year.
Food For Profit is the result of a five-year investigation by journalist Guilia Innocenzi into the links between the European Parliament and the 387 billion euros-funded factory farming industry. Co-directed by Innocenzi and Pablo D’Ambrosi, the film premiered at the European Parliament in Brussels in February this year.
An English-language film that features international experts on the farming industry, some have already dubbed it ‘the European Cowspiracy’. One description from an Italian TV show said that it “makes Europe tremble.”
Speaking to Plant Based News (PBN) about the film, D’Ambrosi said: “Europeans think that the meat and dairy that are consuming is of high quality, essentially different from the cheap meat that Americans or Chinese are eating. In Food For Profit, we show that in reality there is no difference, in fact, 90 percent of the meat consumed in Europe comes from factory farms.”
"A whistle-stop tour of common objections to veganism": I Could Never Go Vegan
When you're covering this much ground, is it possible for a documentary to avoid being disjointed and incomplete?
Vegans are asked a lot of questions, and they're often very repetitive. Sick of answering the same queries again and again about their veganism, Yorkshire filmmakers Thomas and James Pickering wanted to create a definitive answer to people's most common objections. So they made I Could Never Go Vegan, a documentary released across the UK and Ireland on 19 April with a preview in Sheffield next week.
I Could Never Go Vegan is a whistle-stop tour of common objections to veganism, covering questions including whether vegans get enough protein and vitamin B12, whether it's unaffordable to go vegan, and whether animals are there for us to eat.
Seeing myth after myth about veganism being dispelled is satisfying as a viewer. On ethical and environmental grounds, veganism is better than eating meat in many ways, and I Could Never Go Vegan talks to experts, as well as other vegans, as a response to many of the common myths and misconceptions about a vegan diet.
Jane Goodall Is 90! Activist Releases Celeb-Packed Animal Conservation Short Film for Her Birthday
Alicia Silverstone, Ellen Burstyn, and Sen. Cory Booker, among others, joined Goodall in narrating a four-minute short film.
When someone as incredible as Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace turns 90, you'd expect nothing less than a birthday celebration that not only commemorates her environmental and animal activism, but also invites others to join in the fight. That's exactly what fans of the beloved ethologist got on Goodall's 90th birthday, when a celebrity-packed short film was released in Goodall's honor.
The film begins with an opening statement from Goodall herself, before including the familiar voices of Ellen Burstyn, James Cromwell, Nikki Reed, and so many other eco-conscious, vegan, and animal-loving celebs. Before you join the legions of other activists in having a slice of vegan birthday cake to celebrate Goodall's milestone birthday, please take a moment to watch the short film and get a better understanding of what her life mission is all about.
Jane Goodall turned 90 on April 3, 2024, and is celebrating her birthday with a new short film about animal conservation.
Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall is a rallying cry for those who share in Goodall's belief that humans aren't the only ones capable of complex emotions. The film combines heart wrenching imagery combined with strongly worded voiceovers, begging people to be more mindful of how they interact with animals and the environment.
Not only does Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall touch on the human impacts felt by creatures both big and small, but it takes aim at the factory farms and slaughterhouses where animals being raised for agriculture spend their brutally short lives; it also looks towards the future, touching on climate change and so much more.
“I’ve spent my life working with and for animals. I was born loving them and wanting to learn about them.”
In honor of Dr. Jane Goodall’s milestone 90th birthday, Mercy For Animals and the Jane Goodall Institute are thrilled to release a special short film, Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall, that we produced to commemorate Dr. Goodall’s lifetime of powerful advocacy on behalf of animals, people, and the planet.
The film features an ensemble of esteemed and passionate public figures from all over the world reciting Dr. Goodall’s inspiring words of wisdom. We hope that everyone who watches this film will be uplifted and empowered to make positive choices and changes in the world this year and beyond. In honor of Dr. Goodall, “together we can, together we will.”
Plant Based News compiled 10 BIG moments where famous celebs talked about veganism.
From the reasons behind their decisions to the significant impacts it has had on their health, environment, and beliefs, each story is a testament to the growing trend of veganism in the spotlight.
Piers Morgan Blasts Vegan Filmmakers Who Claim Jesus Was Vegetarian
Piers Morgan Uncensored is joined by filmmakers Kip Anderson and Kameron Waters to discuss their latest documentary Christspiracy, which claims evidence has been uncovered that suggests Jesus Christ was a vegetarian.
Piers Morgan fumes at 'offensive' claims Jesus Christ had a 'plant-based' vegetarian diet.
Piers Morgan went head-to-head with two vegan filmmakers who claimed Jesus was a vegetarian in a fiery debate on his show Uncensored.
Piers Morgan fumes Jesus wasn't a vegetarian
Piers Moran was joined by filmmakers Kip Anderson and Kameron Waters to discuss their latest documentary film in the latest installment of Uncensored.
The two filmmakers claim they have "evidence" that suggests Jesus Christ was a vegetarian and explore such findings in their film, Christspiracy.
The food chain links Tesco, Morrisons, McDonald’s, Nandos and M&S with ever more intensively reared chickens, that’s more demand at lower prices from more and more consumers = us.
Not only do these factory farms produce air pollution, but famously, now, the manure that has wrecked the beautiful (was) River Wye that borders Wales and England. (see “POODUNNIT” www.brockinitiative.org)
American giant corporation Cargill, plus Avara in the UK are in the (extremely) big business of supplying food for chickens, probably grown on cleared forests. So we are at the end of that food chain – not exactly chicken-feed….
Last year 1.1 billion living crowded creatures were slaughtered for meat in the UK, while Britons consume an estimated 80 million eggs a day (The i 27/4/2024)
The Paris Climate Agreement, Bird Flu Found in US Milk Supply & more | Month in a Minute
The March 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
Jeff Bezos pledges $60 million to alternative-meat research, with a focus on lowering costs, increasing quality, and boosting nutritional benefits.
Meanwhile Florida legislature passes a ban on cultivated meat, with representatives stating "Cultured meat is made by man. Real meat is made by God himself.”
A first-of-its-kind study looking at options for a Paris-compliant livestock sector suggests that emissions from livestock must peak before 2025, followed by a 61% reduction by 2036.
A new report looking at the big-name financiers bankrolling livestock finds that since 2015, over half a trillion dollars in credit has been provided to the world’s largest 55 industrial livestock companies, fueling the expansion of global meat and dairy production.
In Wisconsin, satellites spotlight illegal manure spreading, by analyzing troves of aerial photographs to teach computers to recognize when farmers butter the land with livestock poop during the winter.
Bird flu is found in US milk for first time in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico.
Bamboo can provide a new source of protein ‘similar to cow’s milk’ according to a study by the China National Bamboo Research Centre, who argue the shoots are rich in protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
And in Germany Burger King makes plant-based meals cheaper than meat.
How Netflix Is Driving the Plant-Based Shift: A Timeline
Over the past decade, Netflix has hosted a number of impactful films and series that have changed the way many of us think, eat, and behave..
It’s hard to imagine a time when you couldn’t just open Netflix and have access to hundreds of movies, sitcoms, drama series, and hard-hitting documentaries. But actually, the streaming site has only really been a big part of our lives since the early 2010s. Weird, right? It started as a DVD service in the late 1990s, before pivoting to streaming in 2007, three years later it launched its first stream-only plan. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Now, Netflix is such a big part of our day-to-day lives that it can influence everything from what songs we listen to (queue Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill) to what clothes we wear (thanks Bridgerton for the Regency revival) to which issues we care about. The global streaming giant is packed with impactful climate crisis-, diet-, and animal welfare-related content, and it’s had a big effect on how many of us see the world.
In fact, we would go so far as to say that Netflix—which boasts more than 80 million subscribers in the US and Canada alone—has played (and still is playing) a key role in making plant-based diets and ethical consumerism mainstream.
Over the last 10 years, it has hosted some of the most hard-hitting exposés on the food industry (Cowspiracy and What the Health are just two examples) and helped to inspire many people around the world (including famous names) to change their eating habits for good. It has also changed how countless people see animals in the entertainment industry (looking at you, Blackfish) and made more of us want to reach for plant-based, whole foods over processed products (Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones is just one recent example).
To help demonstrate just how much Netflix has helped turn us all into more conscious consumers over the last decade, we put together a timeline of some of its biggest releases to date and unpacked the impact each has had (and continues to have) on viewers around the world.
You won't believe how many new vegan products were launched for Veganuary 2024
2024 was a huge success for Veganuary! Thank you to everyone who took part.
The full report on the Veganuary 2024 campaign is here, and oh boy does it make exciting reading!
Here are some of the biggest highlights:
A mind-blowing 25 million people worldwide gave up animal products during January*
At least 2,100 new vegan products and menu options were launched globally during January - the largest number yet
A record-breaking 300 businesses and organisations took part in the Workplace Challenge around the world, with more than 115 joining in the UK, including numerous NHS Trusts, Just Eat Takeaway and British Association for Sustainability in Sport
More than 10,000 international media mentions of Veganuary including on the Graham Norton Show, Eastenders and Countdown
The stench of the factory farm was choking. Inescapable. And just a few hundred yards from an elementary school.
Oklahoma has a growing factory farm problem. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are taking over the state—polluting air and water, forcing farmers off their own land, and creating hell on earth for animals.
220 MILLION ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED IN OKLAHOMA EACH YEAR
95% of all pigs in Oklahoma live on just 33 industrial mega-farms. Deprived of sunlight. Deprived of adequate space. Deprived of any dignity that would make their lives worth living.
COMMUNITIES ARE FIGHTING BACK
Oklahomans are raising their voices against the animal agriculture industry. Common Enemytells their story.
In this video, Earthling Ed discusses how veganism overlaps with many conspiracy theories, including theories around alternative diets such as raw veganism.
He also explores how conspiracy theories are being used to push people away from veganism and towards eating more meat.
Latest film from the Cowspiracy team ... Christspiracy!
Two daring filmmakers embark on a global quest sparked by the not-so-simple question “is there a spiritual way to kill an animal”, and along the way discover the biggest coverup in the last 2000 years.
For 5 years filmmakers Kip Andersen and Kameron Waters traveled around the world hopping from Rome to Jerusalem, Oxford to India—interviewing everyone from renowned theologians and archeologists to Christian farmers and Indigenous shamans—all to reveal a massive coverup, one that will transform history, forever.
From the co-creator of the hit Netflix documentaries Seaspiracy, Cowspiracy and What the Health, Christspiracy is a fascinating investigation that will change the way you think about faith, ethics and our relationship with creation.
Cowspiracy Is The ‘Most Effective’ Vegan Documentary, Poll Finds
Documentaries are key to educating and informing people on veganism
A new survey has revealed the most effective vegan documentaries for encouraging people new to veganism.
Based on a global survey by vegan dating app Veggly, Cowspiracy remains the most effective documentary. Other classics like Earthlings, What The Health, and The Game Changers also made the list.
The study revealed too that respondents think documentaries are the most effective way to encourage new vegans.
Alex Felipelli, Founder of Veggly, told Plant Based News (PBN): “The votes prove that all of these documentaries helped lots of vegans make the transition.”
Cowspiracy tops the list as the most effective documentary to show to new vegans, with more than one in five respondents choosing it.
The feature-length environmental documentary follows filmmaker Kip Andersen as he discovers the impacts of animal agriculture industry on the planet – and the extreme lengths that meat lobbyists go to stop people finding out about them. Originally released in 2014, the hard-hitting investigative film put the “sustainability secret” into the spotlight and opened many people’s eyes to the impacts of animal agriculture.
A decade later, its message remains as relevant. Despite an even larger body of scientific evidence, government-backed advertising campaigns still try to play down the harms of meat, fish and dairy. Scientists are pleading with governments to act on evidence rather than the interests of big corporations. All the while, the meat industry continues to confuse consumers will deliberately misleading stats.
Eating Our Way To Extinction - Essential Facts (35mins) Documentary
We would love your help to raise funds for promoting this video. Receive rewards when you support our fundraiser campaign.
Narrated by Kate Winslet, this condensed version of ‘Eating Our Way to Extinction,’ addresses in a more concise manner the 'elephant in the room' that no one wants to talk about...animal agriculture! Will we be the next species on the path toward extinction?
"Eating Our Way to Extinction - The Essential Facts", condenses the original full cinematic film version into a powerful 35 minutes of evidence-based facts and information that were liked and recommended by most viewers. This powerful documentary sends a simple but impactful message by uncovering hard truths and addressing, the most pressing issue of our generation – ecological collapse.
On this channel, you will have access to a variety of different content, including the documentary itself as well as many videos and interviews addressing this pressing issue.
Want to learn more? Subscribe to our channel and make sure to turn your post notifications on so you don’t miss out on any of our content: youtube.com/channel/UCYNldGFnfcDE8ItayYf7izg
Our forests are burning, our air is being polluted, our oceans are poisoned, our soil degraded and our wildlife wiped out. Never before in human history have we seen ecological devastation on this scale.
For 30 years, Viva! has been fighting for the planet, highlighting how livestock farming is destroying it!
Our groundbreaking Vegan Now! campaign exposes the link between animal farming and the climate crisis. Farming animals for meat, dairy and eggs is a leading cause of wildlife loss, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, food waste… the list goes on.
Will you help Viva! continue fighting for the planet and for the animals? Giving just a small amount each month has a huge impact on our campaigns and the future!
Methane Surge in CA Mega-Dairies & Beauty Products Threats Donkeys in Africa | Month in a Minute
The February 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
In the US McDonalds reaches it’s cage-free goal ahead of schedule.
A new analysis identifies significant methane releases at California mega-dairies despite them benefiting from lucrative environmental credits on California’s signature Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Utah passes a bill stating that a governmental entity may not grant legal personhood to nonhuman animals.
An examination into the Cause of a right Whale’s Death on Martha’s Vineyard finds that the purple-marked rope removed from the whale is the same rope used in Maine state water trap/pot buoy lines.
Rising demand for beauty products is driving donkeys towards extinction in Africa, experts warn, with about six million donkeys slaughtered every year for their skins, from which collagen is extracted.
The EU backs down on agricultural emissions after farmers’ protests due to concerns that farmers will turn hostile at the ballot box and vote in far-right parties.
Meanwhile our insatiable appetite for Scottish salmon is driving the industry out of the water, with plans to pack fish into land-locked tanks.
And new research looking at how many vegetarians and vegans are in the UK in 2024 estimates that there are 2.5 million vegans and 3.1 million vegetarians, which with 3 million pescatarians suggests 16% of the UK now follows a meat-free diet.
Narration by Jasmine C. Perry
Watch all this and more in the February media recap!
2023: Hottest Year Record, Avian Flu Hits Wildlife, JBS Lawsuit & more – Month in a Minute
The January 2024 edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
This month, a new government-backed ad campaign launched in the UK, aimed at getting Gen Z to eat more meat. Meanwhile, experts warn that this year global heating will pass 1.5 C and Brazilian officials pursue millions from JBS for illegal deforestation of the Amazon. Avian flu in the United States is on the rise again, threatening to spike the cost of eggs and chicken. The disease continues to spread to wildlife, including to elephant seals in Argentina.
Watch all this and more in the January media recap!
What do all of the big dairy corporations like Arla, Freshways and Muller have in common?
They’re all dairy giants who put profit over the welfare of cows used in the dairy industry.
We’re here to tell you, that there is no such thing as ethical dairy. Standard dairy farms are horrifying places, filled with heart-breaking cruelty. Calves torn and isolated from their mothers, cows with udders so large their spines ‘bend’, shackled back legs, painful infections such as mastitis – this is the truth of dairy.
Viva! Campaigns investigators discovered a farm in West Wales, Tafarn-Y-Bugail, with some of the worst cruelty they had ever seen. Dead cows and calves rotting in the courtyard which is an outrageous defiance of the UK “dead stock legislation”, an onslaught of beatings towards the cows and violent birthing methods.
Watch this video to learn more about how the dairy industry is profiting from these animals and continuing to trick their consumers by hiding behind marketing campaigns.
Join the revolution! The future of dairy is plant-based.
Get Earthling Ed's latest book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time)
“An empowering and deeply informative book" – Moby
Challenge their beliefs; change the world
If you are a vegan, you’ll know all too well how provocative it can be – you never know when you’ll be challenged or how. But being able to face down and rebut arguments against veganism is hugely important. Not just because many of the arguments lack substance, but because every interaction provides a pivotal moment to create change.
How to Argue With a Meat Eater will teach you to not only become a skilled debater, sharing the secrets of renowned vegan educator Ed Winters, but it will arm you with powerful facts and insights that will give pause to even the most devout meat eater.
Providing you with the knowledge to become a better conversationalist and critical thinker, and the motivation to create a more ethical, kind and sustainable world, let this book be your guide and inspiration to know that, no matter what the argument, you can win every time.
"An absolute must-read – it shows how we can communicate incredibly emotive topics with confidence and compassion, and provides the reader with indispensable tools to express themselves clearly and persuasively." — Rich Roll
“Ed Winters builds on his groundbreaking debut book with a follow up that couldn’t be more timely or important. How to Argue With a Meat Eater is an empowering and deeply informative book that will leave readers more enriched and knowledgeable about veganism and how to argue effectively about it. Everyone would benefit from reading this book." — Moby
‘Mind-bogglingly good’ Netflix documentary experimenting on twins has people ‘rethinking their whole life’
'Veganuary' has become a staple New Year's trend over the last few years, with more and more people wanting to decrease the amount of meat and boost the amount of veggies in their diets.
If you were tempted by a plant-based lifestyle in 2024 but didn't reckon you'd be able to resist a fish and chip supper or a meatalicious pizza, Netflix has launched a brand new vegan-friendly experimental series that has already changed the lives of millions of viewers.
This four-part series sees several sets of American identical twins changing their diets and exercise routines for eight weeks in a science experiment designed to explore how certain foods impact the body.
In the show - which was released just in time for Veganuary this year, one member of each of the four pairs follows an omnivorous diet - continuing to eat meat, fish, dairy and vegetables.
Their identical sibling alternatively follows a totally animal-free diet in this series, which provides a rundown of the main benefits to this vegan diet.
That's because, within a matter of weeks, those participants following the plant-based diet saw visceral fat - the harmful kind which surrounds the organs - had reduced significantly.
Meanwhile, those continuing to eat meat and fish experienced a minute increase in their body's visceral fat.
These siblings were also found to have a significantly lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol, compared to their meat-eating other-halves.
Though both twins in each set that took part in this impressive experiment lost weight - due to the show's focus on the benefits of exercise, the vegan siblings lost, on average, 4.2 pounds (1.9kg) more than the omnivores.
But what is this ground-breaking new show, and why has it caused such an impact to the worlds of lifestyle and diet?
Identical twins change their diets and lifestyles for eight weeks in a unique scientific experiment designed to explore how certain foods impact the body.
"I don't like vegan BULLIES!" – Earthling Ed debated three meat-eating panellists on live TV.
Ed was invited back on GB News to take on three meat eating panellists ... he says:
"In today's video, I'm back on GB News taking on a panel that question me about plant-based alternatives, the healthfulness of vegan diets, and I almost get whiplash reacting to baffling questions about protein and 'false vegetables'. Mike Parry has referred to himself as a 'sausage expert' and yet infamously ate a vegan sausage sandwich believing that it was meat and called it 'luscious and lovely'."
Award-Winning Short Film That Screened at the First Immersive Vegan Experience Is Now Streaming for Free
The award-winning short film ‘The Next Girl’ is now streaming for free on UnchainedTV.
After screening at the first immersive vegan experience in Los Angeles last November, the award-winning short film The Next Girl is now available for all to view on UnchainedTV’s free streaming service.
The mounting awards the short film has received show that the film’s story leaves an undeniable impression. The Next Girl is an Official Selection at 11 film festivals and has already won six “Best” awards and one “Finalist” designation in the narrative short film categories, including Best Indie Short from Cannes World Film Festival, Best Short Film from Carpe Diem, and Best Short Film from Better Earth International Film Festival.
Produced by Vkind Studios, The Next Girl unfolds a chilling tale of oppression, heartbreak, and the enduring power of hope. The film takes place in a dystopian world, where enslaved young girls are condemned to a life devoid of bodily autonomy, and forced to bear children. Separated from their mothers, the stolen children grow up in isolation and live the same horrific injustices as their mothers.
The Veganuary Podcast - "The Reasons Why" with Chris Packham
The Veganuary Podcast is back!
The way we eat impacts animals, the planet and our health. How could we change our behaviour to better protect the animals and environment we cherish? Who better to discuss this than naturalist, TV presenter and advocate for the environment Chris Packham. Chris talks about his love of nature, his vegan journey, and the impact of our food systems.
New Film Explores The Human Impact Of North Carolina Pig Farms
A new film shines a light on the unseen impacts of pig farming in North Carolina
New film The Smell of Money involves a lot of uncomfortable sights and smells. Residents see farmers spray fields next to their houses with pig manure; the film’s viewers see the residents suffer from the effects of all this excrement. For a film about the dirty outputs of pig farming, The Smell of Money is hard to take your eyes off.
To some, the subject matter might sound about as appealing as the fecal kind that infects the residents’ air. But this is a film that everyone whose money goes to supporting the pork industry should be compelled to watch. In it, the devastation animal agriculture causes communities – often unseen and under-appreciated – is clear for all to witness.
“Our goal for the film has always been to create an impact and inspire change,” Jamie Berger, the film’s writer and producer, tells Plant Based News(PBN). “So that’s the lens through which we’ve approached the entire experience.”
A film about North Carolina
The Smell of Money puts North Carolina’s pig farms on trial. The state is one of the largest pork producers in the world, with 9.4 million pigs. Berger, along with director Shawn Bannon, make sure that viewers understand just how astronomical and ruinous this industry is.
“I was born and raised in North Carolina,” Berger says. “Learning about my home state’s pork industry and its impacts on people, animals, and the environment in college transformed me into an activist and inspired me to devote my life to ending factory farming.”
We Animals Media in 2023: A Year of Growth and Impact
Partnerships, assignments, fellowships, campaigns, strategy, poignant photography, films, and awards. These elements defined our year at We Animals Media in our most impactful year yet: 2023.
This year, We Animals Media remained steadfast in our commitment to bring visibility to hidden animals—those trapped in our human systems of exploitation, be it on farms, in zoos and aquariums, in places of research, entertainment and religious sacrifice. Our values of Excellence, Generosity, Collaboration, Integrity, and Leadership guide our tireless efforts.
Sadly, while veganism Thank you for being with us on this journey. Your unwavering support has been the driving force behind our progress, and we’re excited to share with you our accomplishments in 2023 made possible by your generosity.
Meat Lobby at Cop28, UN Report Debate, Food Waste Crisis and Beef's Carbon Cost – Month in a Minute
The December edition of Sentient Media's popular Month in a Minute series is here! Watch their 60-second recap of the top stories in animals, food and farming.
This month, COP28 made headlines for dedicating an entire day to the food system and its role in climate change. In a first for the summit, leaders agreed to reduce emissions from food. Also new this year: a record number of lobbyists for the meat and dairy industries even as the event’s menu featured fewer animal products than ever before. Meanwhile, the UN called on the world to “ramp up meat production” to address “health challenges” in poorer countries, as critics argued the agency had “completely bought the narratives of the meat industry.”
Earthling Ed defending 'extreme' veganism on live TV.
Earthling Ed's was on GB News!
He says "On the show I spoke about the perception of vegans, defended against the accusation that we are authoritarian and made the case that animal farming is inherently cruel and immoral. People often fall into the trap of believing that there are farms and slaughterhouses which are cruel to animals and those which are not. However, this is not true. Animal farming and slaughter is inherently cruel, as proven by what is legally allowed and ubiquitous."
Get How to Argue With a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time) here: amzn.to/3NeWBMr
Broken food system – NOURISH AND FLOURISH
Nobody likes being told what to eat, or where food comes from but understanding, and changing, where our food comes from and how it is produced is a critical part of tackling the nature crisis and climate change.
The first step is education. Most of us don’t know a lot about where our food really comes from and how it impacts the world around us.
Fauziya Johnson, an artist based in Manchester, has been collaborating with a group of inspiring people of colour and working class 16 - 25 year olds and together they have been exploring the industrial food system and its impacts: socially, economically and environmentally.
The industrial food system is vast and often obscured from everyday life. This group of young people attended a series of workshops which explored our relationship with food. They learnt traditional, sustainable, low-impact cooking; and discussed the violent history of our food system and its impacts on marginalised groups and the environment.
Plus, why a huge new Danish Crown bacon factory is opening in Rochdale, close to where these younger people are based. The workshops dissected the impacts that this new factory will have on the local community, as it starts to process pork imported from Denmark - as well as explored the role of activism in bringing about positive environmental change.
Our food has never been an easy topic. By asking questions and breaking down barriers for future generations, we can help confront our destructive food system.
This project is part of Bad Taste. A series of artistic interventions that highlight and confront the industrial food system. As a highly engaged supporter of ours, we hope this project gives you food for thought.
A vegan morality tale? Chicken Run sequel puts factory farming in spotlight
Film-maker Aardman says Dawn of the Nugget doesn’t aim to preach but campaigners hope movie can help change diets
A trip to the cinema followed by a bite to eat is a staple treat of the school holidays. But the plot of one of this season’s big family films may mean the traditional stop-off afterwards suddenly seems less appetising.
In Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, in cinemas on Friday, thousands of hens must be rescued from a nugget factory where they are kept in a state of stupefied joy by remote control lobotomising collars. This, a scientist explains, is because when a bird is frightened, “its muscles tense and the connective tissue forms knots”, resulting in “tough, dry and flavourless meat”. Reprogramming a chicken’s response to the horror of being “processed” should radically improve flavour and sales.
Children attending a preview screening in London on Sunday appeared to enjoy the new Aardman film. None were heard leaving the cinema expressing eagerness for a bucket of nuggets.
“It’s really pushing the needle,” says Matthew Glover, founder of Veganuary and meat-alternative range Chick’n. “I’ve never seen a cartoon like this.”
“I’m a big fan of the approach,” says Richard McIlwain, CEO of the UK Vegetarian Society. “Whether or not they’ve set out to make a vegan morality tale, the reality is that this is what happens in poultry farms. They’re not making it up.”
The film-makers have rejected claims that they are “here to preach”, and said that any dietary reassessment would be just a happy accident.
“We want the film to be engaging and entertaining and a great ride, mostly,” the film’s director, Sam Fell, has said. “But yes, if you come away and you think a little bit more like a chicken by the end of it, then that’s not a bad thing.”
Some of the film’s key cast members – including Thandiwe Newton and Bella Ramsay – are passionate spokespeople for veganism, and Fell himself became a vegetarian during production.
In Earthling Ed's latest video, he asks "Are Vegans too woke"?
Is veganism woke and an example of a snowflake culture? According to many TV presenters and anti-vegans it is - but are these accusations actually fair and what does attempting to criticise veganism in this way mean for our wider mentality about animals?
Sadly, while veganism gets labelled as being an example of virtue signalling, this argument reeks of hypocrisy and speaks to a troubling lack of critical thinking when it comes to the supposed criticisms of veganism.
To find out what Ed thinks about the claim that vegans are woke snowflakes, be sure to check out this video. Oh, and be prepared for some truly jaw dropping comments from a UK politician and from a UK news reporter...
Since the late 1990s Wildlife-film.com has been the leading source of information for the wildlife filmmaking industry worldwide. For over twenty years the site has been Google's number one ranking site for 'wildlife film' and related searches. Our site is viewed in over 195 countries. Our newsletter, Wildlife Film News, is read every month by thousands of people involved in wildlife filmmaking - from broadcasters and producers, to cameramen - we encourage readers to submit their news. We also serve as an online resource for industry professionals and services. Find producers, editors, presenters and more in our Freelancer section, and find out about festivals, training and conservation in Organisations. We encourage amateur and professional freelancers to join our network and welcome all wildlife-film related organisations to join our team.
