Björn Ólafsson

Reported

New Research on Animal Communication Shows Their Cultures Are Often Complex and Cumulative

Two new studies upend decades of research on the ways animals and insects learn.

Research•7 min read

Explainer

Is ‘Climate-Friendly Beef’ Always Just Greenwashing?

From methane masks to lemongrass, how do the many efforts to make sustainable beef compare to just eating a little less?

Climate•1 min read

Explainer

The Number of Chickens in the World Means They Outnumber Humans 3.5 to 1

Why eating chicken is not necessarily more ethical than eating beef.

Food•2 min read

Reported

8 Alternative Protein Market Predictions for 2024

The alternative protein market is evolving rapidly — but it still might not be quick enough to outrun the environmental devastation of the meat industry.

Food•8 min read

Analysis

What Tyson Foods’ Terrible Year Means for the Future of Big Chicken

Layoffs and a declining stock price may signal trouble for the U.S.'s largest poultry producer

Food•2 min read

Analysis

Eating Meat Is Bad for Climate Change, and Here Are All the Studies That Prove It

As negotiations get underway at COP28, we compiled a list of the leading research documenting the connection between meat and greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate•11 min read

Reported

The Turkey Pardon’s History Reveals our Strange Relationship to Animals

The seemingly humane tradition, which can be traced back to meat lobbyists, correlates with a rise in turkey consumption.

Law & Justice•5 min read

Explainer

Meat Consumption Is Rising — But Not in the Way You Think

9 charts explain exactly how Americans consume meat.

Climate•2 min read

Analysis

Why Cedar the Goat Had To Be Killed

When a 9-year-old tried to pull her goat from auction, Shasta County fair officials insisted the animal be killed to teach her a lesson about meat.

Food•7 min read

Reported

Meat Industry Lobbyists Exposed for Trying to Derail Animal Welfare Legislation

These tactics are just the latest in a long line of campaigns to delay food system change.

Food•4 min read

Explainer

Are Factory Farmed Chickens Just GMOs, Actually?

The meat industry breeds chickens to grow as fast as possible. Here’s how they do it.

Science•7 min read

Reported

211 Members of Congress Now Oppose the EATS Act

Three charts document the lawmakers taking a position on the controversial EATS Act, and the votes still up for grabs.

Law & Justice•2 min read

Explainer

Pet Food’s Environmental Impact Can’t Be Ignored 

It’s time to talk about the substantial pawprint of our pets’ food.

Climate•8 min read

Explainer

What Monoculture Farming Is, and Why It Matters

Monoculture impacts our food system and environment — but most people have only a vague idea what it entails.

Food•10 min read

Reported

These Eggs Are Made With Precision Fermentation, and Consumers Are Eager To Try Them

Understanding the science behind “lab-grown” food might help with acceptance.

Diet•5 min read

Explainer

What ‘Sentience’ Means, and Why the Concept Matters for Animals

The term means different things to different people, but here’s what you need to know.

Science•8 min read

Reported

The New Science the Plant-Based Industry Needs To Know

New research suggests plant-based burgers need to be more than tasty, cheap and convenient.

Research•9 min read

Explainer

Which Animals Are Most Affected by Climate Change, Explained

We’re nearing or have already arrived at the 6th Great Extinction — only this time, the crisis is manmade.

Climate•9 min read

Explainer

Are Orcas Endangered? Some Are, and the Species Appears to Be Fighting Back

Commercial fishing threatens marine life — and it seems orcas are trying to do something about it.

Climate•5 min read

Explainer

What Farm Subsidies Are and Why They Matter, Explained

Farm subsidies make meat and dairy much cheaper – but fruits and vegetables? Not so much. Here’s why.

Law & Justice•11 min read

Explainer

Are Zoos Good or Bad for Animals? The Argument, Explained

Debates about the ethics of zoos abound — but when it comes to animal welfare, there are certainly more cons than pros.

Entertainment•11 min read

Reported

Does Animal Personality Research Actually Help Animals?

By weeding out "undesirable" personality traits, farmers could create vast herds of animals with emotions ideal for factory farm life, and death.

Research•8 min read

Reported

Cultivated Pet Food Meat Is Coming Sooner Than You Think

How Biocraft is attempting to improve pet food by making it allergen-free and healthier for animals — not to mention, far more ethical.

Science•8 min read

Reported

Lab-Grown Milk Has Huge Potential to Disrupt Dairy, New Study Shows

Milk made with precision fermentation could take up to 33 percent of the dairy industry’s market share.

Health•6 min read

Explainer

Are Orcas Smart Enough to Plot Against Humans? Their Intelligence, Explained

A series of seemingly coordinated attacks against fishing vessels has the public paying attention to orcas. Here’s what you need to know about this remarkable species.

Science•8 min read

Explainer

Are Wagyu Cows Raised More Humanely Than Other Cows?

Wagyu beef is one of the most expensive — and consistently mislabeled — foods on the market. In this explainer, we look into what the "wagyu" label means for the cows.

Food•5 min read

Explainer

What Is Ultra-Processed Food and Why Is It Unhealthy?

Ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictively delicious. Just how unhealthy are they and what are the processed foods to avoid? We explain.

Health•8 min read

Reported

What the Media Keeps Getting Wrong About That Cultivated Meat Study

A new study says lab grown meat is worse for the planet than beef, but what do the numbers actually say?

Climate•5 min read

Explainer

What Are Right to Farm Laws?

Right to farm laws are increasingly used to protect industrial meat operations from answering for their air and water pollution.

Law & Justice•4 min read

Reported

Can Cultivated Meat Be Truly Slaughter-Free? Omeat Thinks So

As cultivated meat clears U.S. approval for sales, Omeat launches with a new strategy to ditch the controversial fetal bovine serum.

Food•8 min read

Explainer

Do SNAP Benefits Actually Work to Address Hunger?

Over 34 million people in the U.S. suffer from hunger. One effort to address food insecurity is through SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

Health•7 min read

Explainer

The Difference Between Essential and Nonessential Amino Acids, Explained

There are 11 nonessential amino acids that are absolutely critical for your body.

Health•4 min read

Explainer

Is Dairy Bad for You? 

Is there a link between dairy and cancer risk? The evidence isn't conclusive but we took a closer look at what we do know in this explainer.

Health•7 min read

Reported

In Wake of Animal Testing Scandal, Elon Musk’s Neuralink Nabs FDA Approval

Elon Musk's Neuralink has now earned FDA approval for human trials after a history of two federal probes and 1500 animal deaths.

Research•5 min read

Analysis

Flexitarianism Is Rising — Along With Demand for Chicken

A new survey finds 11 percent of Americans identify as flexitarian — with more than a quarter eating more plants but also more chicken.

Diet•5 min read

Reported

Why Rewilding This Kind of Farmland Is a Win for the Planet

New research suggests rewilding is more effective than tree-planting, and when it comes to which land to rewild, the answer is also clear: farms. 

Climate•7 min read

Explainer

What Are Gestation Crates?

Gestation crates are one of the most controversial aspects of pork production. But what are they, and why does the industry say they're necessary?

Food•7 min read

Explainer

Is Beef Consumption Headed in the Right Direction?

Researchers are clear that we can't meet our climate goals without tackling beef consumption in the U.S. Let's take a look at our progress.

Climate•3 min read

Explainer

Is Almond Milk Bad for the Environment?

Almond milk has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so. More and more Americans enjoy it in recipes or their coffee, or even straight from the carton. Yet…

Climate•6 min read

Explainer

Whether It’s Grass-Fed or Grass-Finished, Beef Is Still a Problem

Consumers want to know the difference between grass-fed vs. grass-finished but research shows all beef is bad for the planet.

Food•7 min read

Reported

Four Challenges Facing Cultivated Meat 

From government approval to cultural pushback, here’s how 2023 looks to be shaping up for the cultivated meat industry.  

Food•9 min read

Explainer

What Are the Impacts of Dairy Goat Production?

Goat milk has become increasingly popular, yet most consumers are unaware of the environmental and animal welfare impacts of dairy goat production.

Food•5 min read

Explainer

What Does “Free-Range” Mean for the Animals?

You might think "free-range" meat comes from happy animals but in reality, the label is no guarantee the farm meets any animal welfare standards.

Food•7 min read

Explainer

Is Organic Food Better for You?

What makes a food "organic"? One survey found only 20 percent of respondents knew the answer.

Food•9 min read

Reported

New Study: How We Misjudge Animal Intelligence

We're curious about animal intelligence but we might not want to believe it.

Science•6 min read

Explainer

Explainer: Why Is Beef Bad for the Planet?

It all comes down to burps and land.

Climate•6 min read

Explainer

Insect Farming: What Types of Bugs Are Farmed?

Each year, over a trillion insects are farmed for human consumption.

Food•10 min read

Explainer

Explainer: What Is Animal Testing?

Vaccines, medications and cosmetics rely on animal testing even though the process is cruel, unreliable and often inaccurate.

Animal Testing•10 min read

Explainer

What Is Land Use Change, and What Causes It?

Over the last few centuries, human activity has caused land use change on an unnatural scale.

Climate•8 min read

Analysis

Don’t Count Plant-based Meat Out Just Yet

The plant-based industry skeptics are ignoring a crucial factor: price parity.

Food•9 min read