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The fight against animal exploitation isn’t just about educating people or exposing industry lies. It’s also about understanding why so many people reject the truth, defend the system, or simply refuse to care. And one of the biggest reasons? Hardship makes many people less empathetic. The Science of Hardship and EmpathyWhen people struggle - whether financially, emotionally, or socially - they tend to show less concern for others, especially outgroups. Research in psychology and neuroscience has repeatedly found that:- Stress reduces compassion. When people are overwhelmed, their brains prioritise survival over moral reflection.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Scarcity mindset fuels selfishness. When resources feel limited, people focus on their own needs and may resent calls to care about others.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Suffering can desensitise. Some who experience hardship come out more compassionate, but others develop a “toughen up” attitude and see suffering as normal, even necessary.For many, animals fall squarely into the “outgroup” category. If a human feels ignored, unsupported, or powerless, why would they feel compelled to care about chickens, cows, or pigs?&nbsp;&nbsp; Poverty and the Justification of ExploitationEconomic struggle plays a huge role in shaping attitudes toward animals. People who struggle financially are more likely to believe that:- Eating animals is necessary for survival.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Industrial farming is just a fact of life - not an issue of morality.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Calls for animal liberation are a luxury belief for the privileged.This isn’t to say that only wealthier people care about animals (far from it, most vegans are from poor and marginalised groups). But when someone is worried about how they’re feeding their kids or paying rent, they’re less likely to want to hear about factory farming, speciesism, or ethical alternatives.And it’s not just financial hardship. Social alienation, political instability, and even personal trauma can all make people more likely to double down on the status quo rather than challenge it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Hardship Breeds TribalismWhen people feel vulnerable, they tend to cling to their identity groups - whether it’s a nationality, religion, or cultural tradition - you have no doubt noticed in recent years, as throughout history, that extreme political movements thrive in populations experiencing worsening living conditions. This is why so many discussions about veganism turn into emotional battles over heritage, masculinity, or personal autonomy.Animal rights activists aren’t just challenging a system; they’re challenging deeply ingrained identities. And when people feel that their identity is under attack, they often respond with defensiveness, anger, or mockery - even when they know, deep down, that the facts are against them.&nbsp;&nbsp; Breaking the Cycle: Helping Humans Helps Other AnimalsSo what’s the solution? If we want humans to care about other animals, we have to create a world where they feel safe enough, supported enough, and free enough to care. That means:1. Addressing economic injustice. People who have access to financial security and affordable plant-based options are more likely to see ethical eating as realistic.&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Challenging the myth of survival necessity. Education matters, but it must be delivered in a way that acknowledges people’s struggles rather than dismissing them.&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Building bridges instead of walls. When activism comes from a place of empathy - not just for animals but for people - we create allies instead of enemies.&nbsp;&nbsp; A Movement for All BeingsIf we’re serious about ending animal exploitation, we can’t just fight for animals - we have to fight for humans too. A more just world isn’t just one without slaughterhouses; it’s one where no one - human or non-human - is treated as a disposable commodity.&nbsp;Justice isn’t a zero-sum game. When we lift people up, we make space for them to see the truth. And when people truly see, they start to change.

If You Want to Solve Animal Exploitation, You Have to Help Humans Too

The protein myth refuses to die. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, a whopping 87% of Americans still believe they need to eat animal products to get enough protein. That’s according to a new <a data-mce-href="https://pcrm.widen.net/s/hr22fss2fq/pcrm-mc-plant-protein-study-2.3.25" href="https://pcrm.widen.net/s/hr22fss2fq/pcrm-mc-plant-protein-study-2.3.25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survey</a> by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Morning Consult, which polled 2,203 adults in January 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;When asked whether consuming meat, dairy, or eggs was important for adequate protein, nearly 9 out of 10 people said yes. Half of them felt so strongly about it that they strongly agreed. But when presented with the reality - that a plant-based diet provides all the protein a person needs - only 52% believed it. A full third outright rejected the idea.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Protein Lie Runs Deep&nbsp;&nbsp;The misinformation isn’t evenly spread. Republicans and people with bachelor's degrees were the most likely to insist animal protein is necessary. Meanwhile, POC, Millennials, and those living in the western U.S. were more likely to understand that plants provide all the protein the body needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even when it comes to muscle-building, myths persist. More than half of Americans (57%) acknowledged that building muscle on a plant-based diet is possible, but 22% didn't believe it - and another 21% weren’t sure. Science Says Otherwise&nbsp;&nbsp;The idea that animal products are superior sources of protein is outdated and scientifically wrong. Research shows plant protein builds muscle just as effectively as animal protein when consumed in the same amounts.&nbsp;&nbsp;A <a data-mce-href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10537483/" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10537483/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meta-analysis</a> of 13 clinical trials found no difference between plant and animal protein in maintaining strength and lean muscle mass in older adults. Another study on men following a strength-training program found zero differences in muscle gain between those eating a plantbased diet and those consuming animal products.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, the misinformation persists - even among health professionals. A UK <a data-mce-href="https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/dietitians-falsely-believe-plant-proteins-incomplete/" href="https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/dietitians-falsely-believe-plant-proteins-incomplete/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> found that while most dietitians are willing to recommend plant-based diets, 75% still incorrectly believe plant protein is "incomplete." But as plant-based physician Dr Neal Barnard <a data-mce-href="https://plantbasednews.org/news/alternative-protein/dr-neal-barnard-plants-protein/" href="https://plantbasednews.org/news/alternative-protein/dr-neal-barnard-plants-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pointed</a> out in the New England Journal of Medicine, every single plant contains all essential amino acids. The idea that they don’t is a myth that refuses to die. Plant Protein Wins, Every Time&nbsp;&nbsp;Plant-based protein sources don’t just match animal protein in function - they beat it in every other way. Unlike animal protein, plant-based sources contain fibre, essential nutrients, and zero cholesterol. They’re also cheaper.A recent <a data-mce-href="https://www.couponbirds.com/research/grocery-costs-by-diet-type" href="https://www.couponbirds.com/research/grocery-costs-by-diet-type" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">study</a> found that being vegan saves the average American $34.23 per month on groceries - even when factoring in pricier plant-based substitutes. Whole plant foods, like beans and lentils, make plant-based diets even more affordable, cutting food costs by up to a third compared to the standard American diet.The bottom line? The idea that humans need to eat animal protein is a lie that has outlived its sell-by date. Protein deficiency is almost unheard of in people eating enough calories. What is common, though? Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity - diseases linked to animal-based diets.So the real question isn’t where do vegans get their protein? It’s why are people still clinging to this myth?

87% of Americans Are Wrong About Protein

Another raw pet food recall, another warning - this time for bird flu-contaminated chicken flesh. Cats in multiple US households have been infected with H5N1, and some have been euthanised as a result. The common factor? They were fed raw poultry from Wild Coast Pet Foods.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert, urging cat guardians to watch for symptoms - fever, lethargy, eye and nose discharge, breathing difficulties, seizures, even blindness. Meanwhile, nearly 100 US cats have contracted bird flu since 2022, some after drinking raw milk from infected cows.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here’s the kicker: it’s still unclear how contaminated meat is ending up in pet food. Flesh from bird flu-infected poultry farms is supposed to be prohibited from entering the supply chain. But pet food doesn’t face the same scrutiny as flesh for human consumption. While the US Department of Agriculture inspects flesh for humans, pet food often bypasses these checks, making it a dumping ground for low-quality, potentially dangerous ingredients.&nbsp;&nbsp;And yet, despite these risks, people still cling to the idea that feeding cats raw flesh is "natural." But let’s unpack that myth.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Fiction of the “Natural” Cat DietIf cats are "naturally" meant to eat fish and poultry, then somewhere out there is a terrifying apex predator: a creature that swims miles out to sea, wrestles half-ton tuna into submission, and emerges dripping wet, hissing and clawing. This monster? Your house cat.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to this logic, Africa must also be overrun with feral cats hunting cows, sheep, and pigs, nursing their kittens on cows’ milk, because, of course, cats “naturally” drink it 🙄Sounds ridiculous? That’s because it is. Yet millions of cat guardians don’t question the absurdity of feeding their cats canned tuna, chicken, and cow flesh while scoffing at the idea of a nutritionally complete vegan diet for cats.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here’s the truth: cats don’t need specific ingredients; they need specific nutrients. And those nutrients can come from plants and synthetically derived sources, just like they do in fortified commercial flesh-based diets.&nbsp; The Ugly Truth About Flesh-Based Pet FoodIf you’re worried about nutrients, you should be far more concerned about what’s lurking in standard pet food. Flesh-based diets come with a host of risks, from heavy metals to harmful bacteria and diseases. Studies have linked these diets to increased rates of kidney, liver, heart, thyroid, neurological, and skin diseases - conditions that are disturbingly common in older animals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The reason? Pet food is an industrial dumping ground. When you buy standard flesh-based kibble or canned food, you’re often feeding your companion:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Flesh from dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals.- Expired supermarket meat, complete with plastic packaging ground into the mix.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Rendered dogs and cats from shelters.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Old restaurant grease, packed with trans fats and free radicals.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Spoiled fish containing mercury and PCBs.&nbsp;&nbsp;To make this mess palatable, pet food manufacturers douse it in digest - a soup of partially dissolved intestines, livers, and lungs.Raw feeders like to claim they’re avoiding the dangers of processed pet food. But with recalls like this one, it’s clear they’re just swapping one problem for another.&nbsp; Vegan Pet Food: The Science, Not the HypeIf the idea of a nutritionally complete plantbased diet for cats still sounds radical, consider the science. Multiple studies have found no significant health differences between cats fed plantbased diets and those on flesh-based ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;- A study of 34 vegetarian cats found them just as healthy as their flesh-fed counterparts.&nbsp;&nbsp;- A study on 12 racing Siberian huskies showed they thrived on a flesh-free diet, even through competitive racing season.&nbsp;&nbsp;What matters is not whether a diet contains flesh, but whether it meets all of an animal’s nutritional needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;When properly formulated, plantbased pet food can provide everything cats and dogs require - without the bacterial contamination, disease risks, and ethical implications of animal-based pet food.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, any diet change should be gradual, and urinary pH should be monitored to prevent potential issues like urinary stones in male cats. But these are practical considerations - not reasons to dismiss plantbased diets outright. Time to Rethink “Natural”The raw food recall is just another reminder that feeding flesh-based diets isn’t the safe, natural choice many believe it to be. The truth is, flesh-based pet food is a risky, unregulated industry where contamination is common.&nbsp;Meanwhile, science has shown that cats and dogs can thrive on plant-based diets when formulated correctly.&nbsp;&nbsp;Feeding cats slaughterhouse byproducts isn’t “natural.” Feeding them contaminated raw flesh isn’t “natural.” What’s natural is making informed choices that keep our companions safe and align with justice for all animals.

Feeding Cats Raw Meat? You Might Be Feeding Them Bird Flu

Think you’re buying ‘free-range’ eggs? Think again.&nbsp;&nbsp;A legal loophole now allows eggs from hens who have never been outside to be sold as ‘free-range’. The Rule ChangeBird flu outbreaks have led to government-mandated lockdowns for farmed birds. When these orders kick in, millions of hens, turkeys, and ducks are forced indoors - often for months.&nbsp;&nbsp;Previously, after 16 weeks of confinement, eggs had to be relabelled as ‘barn eggs’. Some farmers complied. Others? Not so much.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, the law has changed. The grace period is indefinite - meaning a ‘free-range’ label can stay on eggs even if the hens never see daylight.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, next time you pick up that ‘ethical’ carton of eggs, remember: labels mean nothing. The Free-Range Myth‘Free-range’ is a marketing term, not a welfare guarantee.&nbsp;&nbsp;Every ‘free-range’ hen starts life in an industrial hatchery. Their brothers? Shredded, gassed, or suffocated at birth because they can’t lay eggs. The industry kills hundreds of millions of male chicks every year - too many to even count.&nbsp;&nbsp;A ‘free-range’ hen will be slaughtered at just 1 - 2 years old - a fraction of her natural lifespan. Her body, exhausted from overproduction, is considered ‘spent’. The industry kills her when she stops being profitable.Even rescued hens often die young due to the toll farming takes on their bodies. Naturally, chickens can live over a decade - but the industry denies them that chance.&nbsp;&nbsp;‘Free-range’ doesn’t mean freedom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most hens are packed four per square metre, in barns reeking of ammonia and stress. They’re supposed to have access to the outdoors, but:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Many never make it outside. Barns don’t have enough exits, and dominant hens block weaker ones from leaving.&nbsp;&nbsp;- At most, 10% of hens are outdoors at any time. Many never see sunlight.&nbsp;&nbsp;And when frustration builds? They attack each other. The industry’s solution? Mutilation. Chicks have their beaks sliced off at a day old to stop them from injuring each other in these unnatural conditions.&nbsp;Free-range or caged, all hens meet the same brutal end:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Gassed to death in a chamber.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Hung upside down while fully conscious, electrocuted in a water bath, and then slaughtered.All for eggs no one needs.<a data-mce-href="https://ko-fi.com/post/No-Eggs-No-Problem-W7W01BEE59" href="https://ko-fi.com/post/No-Eggs-No-Problem-W7W01BEE59" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Eggs? No Problem.</a>

Hens Trapped Indoors, But Still Sold as ‘Free-Range’

Whether you’re after a hearty breakfast or a perfectly baked cake, there’s a vegan alternative that does the job - without the cruelty, exploitation, or disease risks tied to the egg industry. Eggs: Cruel and ContaminatedThe egg industry isn’t just unnecessary - it’s built on exploitation. Chickens are selectively bred to lay far more eggs than their bodies can handle, leading to painful conditions like osteoporosis and organ failure. Male chicks, useless to the industry, are killed at birth - usually by grinding, suffocation, or gassing.Egg farms are also breeding grounds for viruses like bird flu, which has already jumped to mammals and poses a pandemic threat. Salmonella is another bonus of keeping birds crammed together in filthy conditions. Even 'free-range' hens suffer from high disease rates - because when profit is the priority. Eggs for Breakfast? No Thanks.If eggs are the main event, swap them for something better:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Tofu scramble: Crumble and season tofu for a high-protein, egg-free breakfast.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Chickpea flour omelette: Mix chickpea flour with water and spices for a perfect egg-free omelette.&nbsp;&nbsp;- JUST Egg: This plant-based liquid scrambles, fries, and folds just like eeggs. Aldi also recently released an off brand version in the UK.No cholesterol, no cruelty, just breakfast.&nbsp;&nbsp; Baking Without EggsEggs in baking add moisture, structure, and binding, but plants do all that too:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Leavening (helping food rise): Use baking soda + vinegar or aquafaba (chickpea water) for light, airy cakes.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Moisture: Mashed bananas, applesauce, or non-dairy yogurt keep things soft and fluffy.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Binding: Flaxseeds or chia seeds mixed with water create a thick, egg-like consistency.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Fat: Nut butters, coconut oil, or vegan butter work just as well.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Skip the guesswork - use tested vegan recipes with positive reviews. No need to ‘veganise’ an egg-heavy recipe when there are already thousands of tried-and-true options out there.Eggs aren’t essential. They’re just a habit. And habits can change.

No Eggs? No Problem

Planet Earth - Sunrise Over Europe - Sun, Space, Clouds, Electricity, Sustainable Resources

For years, the world has been sold a simple story: fossil fuels are the biggest driver of climate change. But a new analysis, published in <a data-mce-href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adb7f2/pdf" href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adb7f2/pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>, turns that on its head. According to Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop, a former Australian government environmental scientist, animal agriculture is actually the primary driver - responsible for 53% of global average temperature rise between 1750 and 2020. Fossil fuels? Just 19%.&nbsp;&nbsp;This isn’t some fringe claim. It’s built on advances in greenhouse gas accounting that expose how outdated methods have underestimated the true impact of deforestation and methane emissions.&nbsp;Herbivore Club has maintained for years that widely claimed figures like "<a data-mce-href="https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1634679/" href="https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1634679/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14.5%</a>" are absurdly low given how big a role deforestation plays. The Numbers Don’t Lie - They’ve Just Been Ignored&nbsp;&nbsp;Traditional emissions accounting lets industries off the hook. Fossil fuel emissions are counted in full, but deforestation is only counted partially, under the excuse that regrowth offsets emissions. Meanwhile, all emissions - whether from fossil fuels or cow burps - are absorbed by growing vegetation, yet only some sectors are given credit for this. Apply a consistent accounting method, and suddenly the numbers shift.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wedderburn-Bisshop’s paper shows that animal agriculture’s emissions from land use change alone put it 19% ahead of fossil fuels. That’s before even getting into the methane problem. Methane’s Real Impact - Not What the Industry Wants You to Believe&nbsp;&nbsp;For decades, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has used Global Warming Potential (GWP) to compare emissions. But Wedderburn-Bisshop argues this metric underestimates methane’s warming power. Instead, his study uses Effective Radiative Forcing (ERF) - the best available science on how greenhouse gases actually heat the planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why does this matter? Because the livestock industry has been pushing for alternative metrics that downplay methane. Methane is short-lived compared to CO₂, but its warming effect is intense. When you use ERF instead of industry-friendly accounting tricks, you get a brutally clear picture: methane's cumulative impact has been vastly underestimated.&nbsp;&nbsp; Fossil Fuels Have a Built-In "Cooling Effect" - That’s Disappearing&nbsp;Here’s something rarely discussed: fossil fuel burning actually masks some of its own warming. That’s because burning coal and oil releases cooling aerosols alongside CO₂. These aerosols don’t last long, but while they’re in the atmosphere, they artificially lower the planet’s temperature. When you include this in the numbers, you get:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Fossil fuels: 0.79°C warming, but 0.59°C cooling, making the net warming effect smaller.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Animal agriculture: 0.86°C warming, with only 0.13°C cooling, almost nothing to offset the damage. The Policy Shift We Actually Need&nbsp;&nbsp;So what does this mean for climate action? If we’re serious about stopping global heating, we need to stop pretending that emissions from deforestation are “temporary” and that methane isn’t a huge problem. This means:1. Recognising deforestation emissions as equivalent to burning fossil fuels - because they are.&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Ending land use for animal agriculture, because it’s the biggest driver of land destruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Applying ERF across all climate policies - because anything else is just more greenwashing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wedderburn-Bisshop puts it bluntly: "The destruction of forests should be seen the same way as burning coal." Why This Matters for Gen Z - and the Future of Climate ActionIf young people are the future, they need the truth. A new study by <a data-mce-href="https://faunalytics.org/exploring-gen-zs-attitudes-towards-animals-and-the-environment/" href="https://faunalytics.org/exploring-gen-zs-attitudes-towards-animals-and-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Faunalytics and Good Growth Co</a> shows that Gen Z cares about the environment - but they’re not being told the full story.The research, which surveyed young people in the US, Indonesia, Thailand, and China, found that most believe society isn’t doing enough to protect animals or the planet. But their focus is skewed - companion animals and wild species get some attention, while farmed animals are rarely mentioned.This is a direct result of misinformation. The same system that pushes “14.5% of emissions” is also burying the role of animal agriculture in climate destruction. Meanwhile, studies show that Gen Z is leading the plantbased shift. A <a data-mce-href="https://vegconomist.com/society/majority-gen-z-favor-vegan-diet/" href="https://vegconomist.com/society/majority-gen-z-favor-vegan-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">2023 poll</a> found they are the biggest drivers of the plant-based market, and 14% of Gen Z adults in the US already identify as vegan or vegetarian.That’s double the previous generation’s numbers, and yet, climate policy still centres on fossil fuels while ignoring the biggest climate threat: the food system. The Choices AheadThis debate isn’t just academic. The choices we make now determine the planet’s future. The IPCC has already acknowledged that different emissions metrics lead to different policy outcomes. Governments and industries choose how they frame emissions - and so far, they’ve chosen to shield animal agriculture.&nbsp;Wedderburn-Bisshop’s research makes it clear: if we count emissions honestly, the biggest culprit isn’t oil or gas - it’s the global exploitation of animals for food. Fossil fuels must go. But the future isn’t just about clean energy.The climate crisis won’t be solved in a supermarket aisle, but what’s on the shelves matters. The next generation is ready for change. The question is whether politicians and climate scientists are willing to tell the truth.

Herbivore Club

ARTICLES

If You Want to Solve Animal Exploitation, You Have to Hel...

87% of Americans Are Wrong About Protein

Feeding Cats Raw Meat? You Might Be Feeding Them Bird Flu

Hens Trapped Indoors, But Still Sold as ‘Free-Range’

No Eggs? No Problem

Fossil Fuels Are Bad, Animal Agriculture Is Worse