The Month in a Minute: December 2024

In December, we learned the U.S. dietary guidelines will emphasize beans and lentils as protein. California has declared a state of emergency over bird flu in cattle, as a mutation in H5N1 influenza surface protein could enable easier human infection. An investigation asking if being anti-vegan is a distinct dietary identity finds that anti-vegans appear to be fuelled by a complex nexus of right-wing ideology, science skepticism and moral relativism.

Plus:

Meanwhile the UK secures H5 influenza vaccine to boost pandemic preparedness.

Meat alternative consumers are still frowned upon in Europe, according to a new analysis, which states that they elicit admiration, envy, fear, contempt and anger in observers.

A new industry-backed emissions metric could ‘completely derail’ climate action, campaigners warn, with claims the GWP* metric is “open to significant abuse”, and that adoption by governments could derail efforts to address livestock emissions.

And meat-eaters are more likely to be disgusted by meat after taking part in Veganuary, suggesting that people’s beliefs around their diets are likely to follow their actions.

You’re being lied to about ultra-processed food, argues Marina Bolotnikova for Vox.

People are putting beef on their faces. What could go wrong? 

Extreme heat is forcing farm workers to work overnight.

An op-ed entitled We’re Going to Have to Learn to Love Factory Farms has sparked fierce debate.

Some farmers and consumers in the UK are objecting to use of the cattle feed additive Bovaer.

Why did so many farmers vote for Trump?

The New York Times answers questions about bird flu and milk safety. 

Democrats let MAGA coopt the healthy food movement, writes Deena Shanker for Bloomberg.

In Maryland, a Black-led agricultural community takes shape.

Can we eat our way out of climate collapse?

Plus, this month Sentient was part of a climate collaborative with The Guardian, Nexus Media News and Yes! Magazine. Here are our first stories: 

For Siċaŋġu Nation, Taking Food Sovereignty Back Means Eating Climate-Friendly 

Can everyone eat for the planet? I shopped at Dollar Store for a week to find out

Rebuilding Food Security After a Wildfire

Farmers Markets Can Be a Form of Climate Action. Here’s How