Seth Millstein

Explainer

Is Veganism Really Growing? Using Data to Track the Trend

Why it’s so hard to pin down the number of vegans.

Diet•6 min read

Explainer

Is Sustainable Palm Oil Ethical – or Just Greenwashing?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple.

Food•7 min read

Explainer

Agriculture Affects Deforestation Much More Than Most People Realize

Cattle farming accounts for 80 percent of all deforested land across the Amazon, and 41 percent of all tropical deforestation worldwide.

Climate•7 min read

Explainer

How Factory Farming Exploits Female Reproductive Systems, Explained

How the meat and dairy industries rely on the labor and suffering of mothers.

Food•9 min read

Explainer

7 Animal Mother-Child Bonds That Take Protectiveness to the Next Level

From abnormally long gestation periods to assigning babysitters to remaining together for life, these bonds are some of the strongest.

Science•6 min read

Explainer

What a Vegan Is and Isn’t, Explained

A short primer on veganism, both the strict and not-so-perfect kind.

Diet•9 min read

Explainer

5 Arguments for Zoos, Fact-Checked and Unpacked

Why many of the arguments for zoos need fact-checking and caveats.

Research•9 min read

Explainer

What Is Climate Change and How Do We Solve It?

Some of the biggest questions of our time, summarized concisely.

Climate•10 min read

Explainer

Which Animals Are Monogamous Rather Than Mating For Life?

Many animals pair bond for life – but that isn’t the same thing as being monogamous.

Animal Behavior•10 min read

Explainer

The 11 Most Helpful Animals on Earth (Though It’s Quite a Competition)

So many animals assist humans and the ecosystem. These are arguably some of the most helpful.

Research•11 min read

Explainer

The Friendliest, Most Gentle Animals Are Also Some of the Most Exploited

It’s a cruel logic that results in the most affectionate creatures being punished the most, but sadly, that’s how it’s often turned out.

Animal Behavior•8 min read

Explainer

The Number of U.S. Poultry Farms Is Rising — Which Is Bad News for Animals and the Environment

As America’s appetite for chicken increases, so too do the negative effects of poultry farms.

Food•7 min read

Explainer

7 Animals With Sex Lives That Make Humans Look Vanilla

If you want proof the animal kingdom is queer, kinky and gender-bending, look no further.

Research•6 min read

Explainer

7 Sneaky Foods That Can Have Dead Horses in Them

If you don’t want to accidentally consume horse, check out this list.

Diet•7 min read

Explainer

What Veganism Is, Why It Matters and How to Eat Plant-Based

A primer on the what, whys and hows of veganism.

Diet•10 min read

Explainer

How Much Protein You Need to Be Healthy, Explained

The answer depends on your age and situation, but in general, most people are worried about the wrong nutrient.

Diet•10 min read

Explainer

Conditions for Chickens in Battery Cages Are More Sadistic Than Most People Realize

You probably knew chickens in battery cages are crammed in tight — but did you know about the neverending light and reproductive control?

Food•11 min read

Explainer

Why Coconut Milk Isn’t the Most Ethical Plant-Based Milk

The plant-based milk might be more environmentally friendly than dairy — but that doesn’t make it automatically ethical.

Food•8 min read

Explainer

Plant-Based School Lunches Are in Demand — but Big Dairy Is Still Prioritized Above Student Health

Students of color are likely to be lactose intolerant — yet dairy-free options in schools are still the exception to the rule.

Nutrition•11 min read

Explainer

The Top Pork Producer in the U.S. Is Owned by China, but Harming Local Communities

Here’s what you need to know about the pork industry in the United States.

Food•7 min read

Explainer

What a Plant-Based Diet Is — and Isn’t — Explained

A plant-based diet isn’t the same thing as being vegan. Here’s how it differs.

Health•10 min read

Explainer

Mangroves Fight Climate Change, but Shrimp Farming Threatens Them

On a per capita basis, mangroves capture four times more carbon than the Amazon.

Climate•8 min read

Explainer

Do Plants Feel Pain? No, and Here’s How Scientists Know

It’s a question people love to throw at vegans and vegetarians — so here’s a thorough explanation.

Science•6 min read

Explainer

Amazon Deforestation Is Falling Under Brazil’s New President — but Is It Too Late?

Lula is much, much better for the environment. But can he reverse Bolsonaro’s damage?

Climate•9 min read

Explainer

The Best & Worst Protein Sources for the Environment, Explained

Most people know beef is bad for the climate. But how does tofu compare to other plant proteins, like almonds or hemp?

Climate•10 min read

Explainer

The Best & Worst Milks for the Environment, Decoded

From dairy to soy to oat to almond, these are the milks with the highest and lowest carbon footprints.

Climate•8 min read

Explainer

If Factory Farming Ended, What Would Happen to All the Animals?

It might be a faraway scenario — but it’s one worth examining.

Food•10 min read

Explainer

Animal Testing for Cosmetics Is Still (Unnecessarily) Common

More humane and effective techniques abound, but many brands remain stuck in arcane ways.

Health•9 min read

Explainer

How To Explain Lab-Grown Meat Simply (For People Who Aren’t Scientists)

The most common questions about cultivated meat, answered in plain English.

Food•11 min read

Explainer

Fish Feel Pain, Science Shows — But Humans Are Reluctant To Believe It

The research that fish feel pain, explained.

Science•9 min read

Explainer

Cows Play and Have Best Friends — But Are Rarely Given the Chance

When it comes to cows’ feelings and preferences, humans can find plenty to relate to.

Science•9 min read

Explainer

How Overconsumption Affects the Environment and Health, Explained

You likely contribute to overconsumption in ways you might not realize.

Climate•9 min read

Explainer

Why Going Plant-Based Makes a Good New Year’s Resolution

How one switch addresses both personal and environmental health.

Diet•6 min read

Explainer

Lobsters Feel Pain When Boiled Alive, and Here’s How Science Knows

The sentience of lobsters is being recognized by scientists — with ramifications for the culinary industry.

Science•8 min read

Explainer

Chickens Are Smart and Have Feelings, Contrary to ‘Bird Brain’ Stereotypes

Contrary to stereotypes, the science proves chickens are intelligent animals who suffer.

Science•10 min read