The Month in a Minute: July 2024

July 21st was the hottest day ever recorded, driven in large part by climate emissions from fossil fuels and factory farming. A Brazilian cattle rancher was ordered to pay $50 million in damages for destruction of the Amazon rainforest. A new report finds that factory farms in California are perilously close to produce fields. A Bill Gates backed startup is making butter from CO2, and taste testers say it tastes like the real thing. Meanwhile, Australia voted to end live sheep exports by 2028.

Plus: 

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.

New research suggests that hens blush when they’re excited or scared.

The bird flu outbreak that began in February 2022 is now the nation’s largest animal disease event ever.

Here are more headlines that caught our attention this month:

Agriculture

The OCTOPUS Act would ban farming the animal and imports of farmed octopus meat.

Grasshoppers are detrimental to farms, but some environmental advocates argue the pesticide used to control them can kill pollinators and end up in waterways.

Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson recently had to give up his male pigs, a move he calls ‘gut-wrenching.’

A growing number of backyard farmers confess they have no idea what they’re doing when they slaughter their animals.

Climate

An InfluenceMap report reveals that meat and dairy lobbying tactics that mirror those used by Big Oil are responsible for a regulatory reversal on climate action.

Just by ending the practice of overfishing, we could store the same amount of carbon as 6.5 million acres of forest each year.

Environmental groups warn that climate change is poised to worsen agricultural pollution.

Our improved understanding of animal behavior is a legacy of Jane Goodall’s work.

Denmark’s tax on greenhouse-gas emissions from agriculture is a reason for hope — but not complacency.

Health

Despite bird flu continuing to spread on dairy farms, most dairy workers go untested for the virus.

These powerlifters and strongmen are lifting heavier weights with a diet that’s lighter on the planet.

New report finds that animals and humans interact in many ways that could spread dangerous diseases.

A public-private partnership is trying to position the city of Manhattan, Kansas as a hub for biosecurity, biodefense and biomanufacturing technologies to prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Law & Justice

A new Supreme Court ruling effectively guts the regulatory power of federal agencies.

Project 2025 and the Republican Study Committee budget both propose major changes to how the government supports commodity farmers.

Lawmakers approved spending bills for agriculture this week, but bickered over environmental regulations and the lack of progress on the Farm Bill.

Immigration is an issue employers in America’s Dairyland want addressed in a sensible, non-threatening way.

Future of Food

Beyond’s new Sun Sausage isn’t meant to mimic meat, but taste like the vegetables and legumes it’s made from.

As Caesar salads turned 100 this month, more and more chefs are making the dish without eggs, cheese or anchovies.

Consumers should beware the latest humane- and green-washing tactic: ‘humane’ and ‘sustainable’ fish labels.

Artist and professor Yoong Jung Choi is turning food waste into paint.

A new fast-casual restaurant concept from the former CEO of Chipotle is powered by robots and a mostly meatless menu.