We may think we see the world differently, but here are eight things we can definitely all agree on:
1. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of climate change.
Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change and deforestation. In fact, according to the World Bank, animal agriculture is culpable for nearly 91 percent of Amazon destruction. What’s more, the meat industry emits more greenhouse gases than all modes of transportation in the world combined. Scary, right?!
2. Thumping piglets and grinding up chicks is wrong.
Did you know that the pork industry slams piglets headfirst onto concrete floors if the babies are too sick or aren’t growing fast enough? Additionally, the egg industry grinds up male chicks alive. That’s right — since they will never lay eggs and don’t grow quickly enough to be raised profitably for meat, they’re killed within hours of hatching. I think we can all agree that these practices, which are totally standard, are truly sickening.
3. There’s no excuse for extreme confinement.
In an effort to maximize profit, factory farmers keep animals in cramped, disease-ridden conditions. Many animals won’t see the sun until they’re on their way to the slaughterhouse. Horrible.
4. Eating meat causes deadly diseases.
Eating meat is linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization reported that processed meats are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes. Also, the world-renowned Mayo Clinic found that long-term vegetarians live on average 3.6 years longer than their meat-eating counterparts. Let that sink in for a minute.
5. Abusing workers is unacceptable.
Factory farms aren’t just awful places for animals; they also hurt people. From sex abuse and unsafe work conditions to slave labor, modern farms shamelessly abuse their employees. Just last year, an Oxfam report revealed the terrible conditions suffered by factory farm employees. Workplace hazards include injuries, respiratory illness, and PTSD. Workers are also at risk for infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A recent report revealed that on average, one Tyson employee a month is injured by equipment and loses a finger or limb.
6. Superbugs are a very real threat.
On modern farms, antibiotics are used to make animals grow faster and keep them alive in conditions that would otherwise kill them. Bacteria can develop resistance to these antibiotics, making it virtually impossible to treat humans who become infected by these “superbugs.” These antibiotic-resistant superbugs should scare all of us.
7. Vegan food is delicious.
When you go vegan, an entire new world of culinary delights opens up! Heck, some of your favorite foods are probably already vegan and you don’t even know it. Want to try making a vegan meal? Check out our Pinterest for hundreds of delicious vegan recipes and ideas.
8. We need to work together to end factory farming.
We may disagree on some issues, but one thing is certain: Factory farms pose a threat to each and every one of us. We must work together to take on the animal agricultural industry and get rid of cruel factory farms.
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Click here to learn more about a healthy and compassionate vegan lifestyle.