Food

A cookbook showing a recipe for aquafaba meringues.

Will Climate Cookbooks Change How We Eat?

Sustainable diets have been around for ages, but an emerging cookbook genre signals a new appetite for change.

A burger with a bite out of it.

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

9 charts explain exactly how Americans consume meat.

Closeup of a cow with ear tags on a farm.

Top Meat and Dairy Companies Are Emitting More, Not Less, Pollution

A new investment report finds companies like Hormel and JBS are driving global greenhouse gas emissions in the wrong direction.

image of cat with food bowl, pet food environmental impact

Pet Food’s Environmental Impact Can’t Be Ignored 

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

Lumpy Skin disease has infected over 3.2 million cattle in India since the first outbreak in May 2022.

Crisis Unfolds on India’s Dairy Farms

Even as a painful and lethal disease wipes out millions of cows and buffalo, India’s dairy industry keeps pumping out more milk.

close up of cow, meat consumption study

By Cutting Meat and Milk Consumption in Half, We Could Stop Deforestation

A new study shows replacing half of the meat and milk we eat with plant-based alternatives would cut agricultural emissions by almost a third.

image of co2 tank, with warning

The Hidden Climate Cost of the Bacon on Your Plate

Gassing America’s pigs with carbon dioxide could be the emissions equivalent of an extra 6,500 cars on the road every year. And it should be on camera.

image of plant-based burger - fake meat

Why So-Called Fake Meat Is Actually Better for Nature Than the Real Thing

“Fake meat” has long been used as an insult to the alternative protein market but in reality natural meat is far worse for the planet.

image of various pulses and dried beans, climavore

What a Climavore Eats and Believes, Explained

A new kind of eater — the climavore — eats foods based on their environmental footprint. But the approach has been criticized by food justice and animal advocates.

In India, Climate Change Is Devastating Animals and Farmers Alike

In India, Climate Change Is Devastating Animals and Farmers Alike

A vicious cycle of poverty, climate change, and animal suffering makes dairy farming unsustainable.

how campus cafeterias became hotspots for climate action

How Campus Cafeterias Became Hotspots for Climate Action

To help slash emissions, college students are pushing for less beef and more plants on campus.

Is beef consumption in the U.S. headed in the right direction?

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.

Some Muslims Want a Green Ramadan

Some Muslims Want a Greener Ramadan With Less Meat

A growing number of Muslims have been working to promote “Green Ramadan” — to help celebrants reduce food waste and eat less meat.

Is almond milk bad for the environment?

Is Almond Milk Bad for the Environment?

Almond milk has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so. More and more…

How water intensive is animal farming?

How Much Water Does a Cow Need?

California may be out of its drought but millions of thirsty animals farmed in the west are still at risk. Just how much water does a cow drink anyway?

climate-smart agriculture

What Is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

With over $3 billion allocated to climate-smart agriculture programs, some experts worry there’s little agreement about what the term actually means.

cows and climate

Explainer: Why Is Beef Bad for the Planet?

It all comes down to burps and land.

Why is cattle ranching bad for the environment

Why Is Cattle Ranching Bad for the Environment?

Across the globe, cattle ranching is a leading cause of environmental damage, including high levels of water use, deforestation and methane emissions.

Why Is Eating Meat Bad For the Environment and Climate Change?

Meat consumption is contributing to the accelerating climate crisis.

animal ag contribute climate change

How Much Does Animal Agriculture Contribute to Climate Change?

Animal agriculture is responsible for 16.5 percent of all global greenhouse emissions.

fish

The Correction: Surf, Turf…Or Plants?

A recent article in Popular Science touts “sustainably-sourced seafood” without reporting on the massive damage caused by industrial fishing and aquaculture.

cows

Cambridge University Says It’s ‘Closing a Chapter on Meat’, but There’s Still Plenty of Beef on the Menu

One of the world’s most prestigious universities made a pledge to go meat-free but the reality has been far from sustainable.

school lunch

The U.S. Needs to Reduce Its Food-Related Emissions. Cities Can—and Must—Lead the Way.

Reducing meat consumption is one of the most meaningful ways individuals can fight climate change. Experts say dietary changes at the local level are necessary to make a meaningful impact.

climate change

Eating Less Meat Is the Most Effective Way to Fight Climate Change

Eating less meat is the most powerful tool we have to avoid climate destruction. Here are a few tips to help you eat more sustainably.

plant foods

Choosing Plant-Based Foods Could Have Lasting Impact on Biodiversity

A new report from the Food Foundation shows that choosing plant-based foods in place of conventional meat products could have far-reaching impacts on nature.

climate change

Eating Less Meat Is Key to Climate Mitigation

Scientists say dietary change is required to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Higher-income countries can maximize their impact by eating less meat.

vegan food climate

How Eating Less Meat Could Help Save the Planet

Animal agriculture is responsible for a large portion of global emissions. If you’re trying to lower your carbon footprint, going vegan may be the answer.

UK Students Call for Plant-Based Meals at Universities to Fight Climate Change

Hundreds of students at over 20 universities across Britain are asking their administrations to stop serving animal products. How will the schools respond?

What Happens When Eating Less Meat Becomes Politically Popular

Many of the promises made at COP26—like the pledge to end deforestation—won’t be possible until we all start eating less meat.

How the ‘Eat Local’ Food Myth Led to COP26’s Menu Failure

COP26 chose to serve attendees some of the world’s most climate-damaging foods. A closer look at the menu reveals why.

cow from behind

There Is No Such Thing as Sustainable Beef

The beef industry is trying to clean up its image by promising that it’s doing more to help the climate crisis than hurt it. Science says otherwise.

Reducing Meat Consumption Would Free Up More Land for Climate Solutions

The message of the climate movement is clear: stop fossil fuel extraction and move to renewable energies. This is a great message, and a good start, but it’s not enough.

man and woman cooking

Epicurious Says Goodbye to Beef, But There’s Still Meat on the Menu

Epicurious has stopped publishing beef recipes, citing environmental concerns. But is cutting out dishes made from one animal really enough, and could it make things worse for other animals?

plant-based foods

Plant-Based Foods: Better for You and the Environment

The numerous environmental benefits of eating plant-based foods have been well-documented. Animal agriculture is a primary driver behind climate change.

How Carbon Labels Are Getting People to Eat Less Meat

Carbon labels are making it easier for consumers to choose climate-friendly foods over carbon-heavy ones. Could this inadvertently encourage people to eat less meat?

chicken factory farm

The High Cost of Consuming Animals

Worldwide, roughly 70 billion animals are raised and slaughtered each year within the food system. Producing so many animals comes with a high price for us, for animals, and for our planet.

future of food

Future of Food: How It’s Changing and Why That’s Important

The future of food is unpredictable, but the prognosis isn’t all bad. People are adaptable, and change isn’t always a bad thing.

oats

What Oat Milk’s Rising Popularity Means for the Environment

Oat milk is on the rise, and its popularity is good news for the environment. Choosing alternative dairy products over traditional ones leads to significantly fewer emissions.

Plant-Based Meats Are Better for Your Health and the Environment

Plant-based meats are great for the animals. But did you know that they are also better for your health and the environment?

farm washing vegetable

How Will Farms and Restaurants Emerge from Coronavirus? We Asked the Experts

Chefs, farmers, food activists, rural community leaders, and academics weigh in on the state of our food system, during and after the coronavirus pandemic.

david yeung portrait

Q&A: Plant-Based Pioneer David Yeung on the Future Frontier of Sustainable Foods

Reducing meat and dairy consumption is the most impactful action consumers can take to reduce their carbon footprint. No one has championed this message more than David Yeung.

australia fires animal

We Kill More Animals Than Australia’s Fires Every Day

Many more farmed animals die every day than were killed by the Amazon and Australia wildfires—farmed animals also suffer more, and are linked to more habitat loss globally.

joaquin phoenix protest

Joaquin Phoenix Urges People to Eat Plant-Based at London Protest

A lifelong animal advocate, Phoenix knows better than most: “We have a personal responsibility to take action right now.”

After 800 Years of Slaughter, UK’s Largest Meat Market Goes Plant-Based

Hundreds of Animal Rebellion activists descended on Smithfield Meat Market, igniting a global conversation on how to transition society towards a plant-based food system.

Step 1: Strike for the Climate. Step 2: Go Vegan.

It’s inspiring to see so many people around the world taking Greta Thunberg’s lead and marching for the climate. But is marching enough?

Climate Strike 2019

How You Look as a Meat Eater Protesting Climate Change

The Climate Strikes taught us there is strength in numbers. What they didn’t teach us is that if you look at the numbers, the most pervasive driver of climate change is being ignored.

Vegan Ethics Alone Won’t Save The Planet: Five Thoughts for Greener Veganism

There is a merging of movements afoot, as animal liberation and environmentalism meet with the same goal to rescue our dying planet. Jessica Scott-Reid examines criticism of veganism’s green credentials.

These Foods Are Threatened by Climate Change

Climate scientist Ryan Towell from the Climate Reality Project explains which foods will be harder to produce as a result of climate change – and which foods are making it worse.

How Your Diet Contributes to Climate Change—in Three Graphs

Eating less meat and dairy is the single best way to reduce your climate impact. How does your diet stack up?

cows cattle field

Eat Less Meat to Save the Planet, Says UN Report

A quarter of global emissions come from food. More than half (58%) of food emissions come from animal products. United Nations’ report on action against the climate crisis is clear – but do the recommendations go far enough?