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
Björn Ólafsson
Björn Jóhann Ólafsson is a science writer and journalist who cares deeply about understanding the natural world and her inhabitants through stories and data. He reports on the environmental footprint of the meat industry, the alternative protein sector and cultural attitudes around food. His previous bylines include the EU Observer and Elemental. He lives in Spain with his two lovebirds.
Björn Ólafsson's Posts
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
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Sentient investigates and explains factory farms and their effect on climate, the environment, animals, health, politics and rural communities.
