The Power of Plant-Based

In order to produce milk, cows must give birth. To make her pregnant, she is artificially inseminated. This occurs 2-3 months after every birth. Once a cow gives birth, a strong bond instantly forms between the mother and calf. However, within 24 hours of birth, the calf is taken from the mother. This causes extreme distress for both of them- cows have been known to cry out for their missing babies for days after they have been taken away. Male calves are an unwanted by-product of the industry because of their inability to produce milk and are usually shot at birth. Others are reared for veal. These are often kept in tiny cages to limit their movement, keeping their flesh tender, and are fed a diet low in iron to keep their flesh white. After a few miserable months they will be killed. If the calf is female, it will be reared for milk and impregnated at 16 months old, continuing the cruel cycle. When the calf is separated from its mother, it will be fed milk replacers so the indust...

Deforestation Approximately 80% of global deforestation is caused by extensive cattle ranching, which is responsible for 340 million tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere every year. Livestock farming currently occupies 45% of global surface area, as well as an additional 10% for feed crops. Land is cut or burned to make room for cattle grazing and feed crop production, which threatens biodiversity, decreases carbon absorption, increases the risk of natural disasters and disrupts water cycles. Already more than 15% of the Amazon has been destroyed which doesn't even include the land loss from fires which were mainly started illegally by cattle ranchers. Raising animals for food always requires more calories than the calories their meat provides humans which means that therefore, animal agriculture is more destructive than agriculture for plant-based food. For every 100 calories of crops fed to animals, we get 40 calories in the form of milk, 12 calories of chicken, and just 3 calories...