If we have any chance of slowing down climate change, the rampant and widespread deforestation taking place in Latin America must be stopped, and fast. Many of us are aware of the monumental problem that is deforestation and make efforts at an individual and collective level to recycle, use less paper, and donate to charities who plant trees. However, what we might not be aware of is that we are sabotaging our own efforts to protect these habitats through our dietary choices, in particular by stopping off to grab a meal at one of the world’s most popular fast-food chains: McDonald’s. For those of us in the UK, we may wonder how buying a burger from a McDonald’s outlet halfway[…]
How a just and sustainable plant-based food system could change the world
With animal agriculture causing enormous harm to our environment it’s time to consider more sustainable ways of eating. It’s time to consider: What would a world with a plant-based food system look like?
Why Animal Agriculture must be on the COP 26 agenda
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 26, will be kicking off in a week´s time, where world leaders will meet to discuss how they plan to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, an ambitious target which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said will require drastic action. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Why Is Animal Rebellion Standing with UK Farmers
*Originally published 8 July 2020* Animal Rebellion is standing in solidarity with UK Farmers against the new Agricultural Bill 2020. You’re right, this is shocking. Why are we standing with the very farmers who keep the animal agricultural system going? The Agricultural Bill 2020 is a HUGE step backward for our food system and food security. What is the Agricultural Bill 2020? The Bill is replacing European Union (EU) Farming regulations and is setting new, lower standards for the future of British farming. The Bill allows cheaper, lower quality imports into the UK from countries like the US: including hormone-injected beef, chlorinated chicken and eggs. The meat allowed to be imported into the UK is currently illegal according to UK and EU legislation. How[…]
Hope Bohanec: An Inspiration for Compassionate Living
*Originally published 20 May 2020* If you’re looking for inspiration and yearning to keep active in our fight against animal agriculture, then Animal Rebellion introduces to you Hope Bohanec. Hope Bohanec has been actively protecting animals and the environment for over 25 years. She started her journey with Earth First! and has taken part in all types of actions. Hope is the Executive Director of Compassionate Living, based in California. Compassionate Living is a non-profit, plant-based advocacy organisation which has a huge focus on removing misinformation caused by labels on food. As consumers become more aware of what animal farms are really like, the industry has offered several “‘alternatives” such as sustainable, organic, and free-range. However, these labels do more to[…]
Refarm’d: One Step Closer to a Plant-Based World
*Originally published 5 May 2020* Have you ever wondered what a plant-based world looks like? Have your eyes gleamed at the possibility, but a little voice called Doubt savagely trespassed your dream? You’re not alone. After knowing the undeniable benefits of a plant-based food system, it’s difficult to ignore. However, the scale of this mission is intimidating and can often leave you feeling worse off. That’s why we are so excited to bring to you Geraldine Starke from Refarm’d who is bringing us one step closer to a plant-based world. Geraldine dreamt of making an animal sanctuary but struggled with the fact that sanctuaries rely heavily on donations to operate and are tough to scale up i.e. helping more and more animals out[…]
Wherever There Is Milk, There Is An Alternative. Arla Must Choose Plant-Based Milk.
Walk through any British supermarket today and you will encounter a vast array of milks. It’s not just green, red, or blue top anymore. Aisles are overflowing with alternatives and people are buying them (a quarter of UK customers). These plant-based options have spilled into cafes and restaurants too. You may find them at your work canteen, at school, at conferences or on trains. Wherever there is tea, there is milk, and wherever there is milk, there is an alternative. With the demand for plant-based milk growing, the UK cannot get left behind. We must choose the right milk to invest in. Although plant milks have been around for thousands of years (horchata and almond milk), the dairy industry has long enjoyed domination[…]
Intensive Animal Farming Operations Are Rapidly Expanding around the UK and DEFRA’s Farm Subsidies Are Largely to Blame
*Originally published 30 November 2019* How is it possible that while there is increasing scientific knowledge and public concern about the catastrophic impact of factory farming on the earth, animals, and human beings, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is not reducing, as it should be, but is in fact increasing subsidies for factory farms? A joint investigation by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigation discovered that factory farm operators were granted approximately £70 million of public money between in 2016 and 2017. The types of operations that received subsidies include: “Feedlot-style beef units, rearing thousands of cattle in outdoor yards; so-called megadairies, with herds of up to 1,800 cows; Intensive egg producers using cage housing systems; poultry megafarms and pig units which[…]
Incentivising Plant-Based Businesses: A Necessary Step Towards a Just and Sustainable Future
*Originally published 16 November 2019* *Updated 15 November 2021* As part of Animal Rebellion’s response to DEFRA’s National Food Strategy, Animal Rebellion has made ten core suggestions. The first is to incentivise a just and sustainable plant-based business model. In their (invited) consultation with DEFRA, Animal Rebellion points out that vegans and vegetarians are expected to make up a quarter of the population by 2025. They note that in response to the increasing demand for ethical plant-based alternatives to meat, fish, dairy, and other animal products, plant-based businesses have been on the rise. The popularity of Beyond Meat products (such as the Beyond Burger, made from pea protein, coconut oil, potato starch, and beetroot juice) and other plant-based alternatives to animal products is[…]
What Would a Plant-Based World Be Like?
*Originally published 2 October 2019* A Plant-Based World Would be a Kinder, Less Violent World A plant-based world would be a much kinder and much less violent world. It would be a just world, and it would be a re-enchanted world, a world where cows would be cherished for their beauty, dignity, and grace, not violated and butchered for their milk and flesh, where pigs would be adored for their sweetness, playfulness, and curiosity, not mutilated and knifed, where hens would be treasured for their gentleness, integrity, and devotion, not twisted, torn, and broken in tiny cages for their eggs, where goats would be venerated for their majesty, cleverness, and mischievousness, not beaten and abused for their bodily fluids and[…]