5 mind-blowing facts about animals and the planet we share.

Most of us care deeply about animals and the planet we all call home — yet our everyday choices can have a bigger impact than we might realise.

These five facts invite us to see more clearly how our food shapes the lives of animals and the health of our world. When we do, we open the door to choices that better reflect the kindness we feel — helping create a kinder future for all.

Clearing swathes of forest to farm more cattle and grow more feed for farmed animals is contributing to the climate crisis and mass species loss.

A major report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change pointed out the high consumption of meat and dairy as a key contributor to global warming. At the same time, as habitats are destroyed and food sources are diminished, native animals — including threatened species — are being ‘pushed out’ of their homes, and their numbers are plummeting.  

Comprehensive research suggests that shifting to plant-based food could reduce global land use for agriculture by 75% while comfortably feeding the existing human population. An enormous amount of land could be left to rest and regenerate for wild animals, while human-caused global warming could be slowed. To find out the carbon footprint of your food, and the most climate-friendly foods to fill your plate with, check out the climate change food calculator.

For comparison, each litre of almond milk (which is the most water-intensive of the plant-based ‘milk’ options) uses 371 litres of water — meaning almond milk production uses 40% less water than dairy milk uses.

Some dairy farms are shifting towards factory farming cows as a ‘solution’ to use less water and other resources — this devastating approach is overlooking the fact that cows are sentient and social beings. Regardless of the type of dairy farm a cow is bred and raised on, she will have her calves taken from her, and be sent to slaughter once her exhausted body slows in producing milk. Her male calves, considered ‘waste products’ of the dairy industry, are generally sent to slaughter within their first days of life.

In a country where water is a precious resource, reaching for more water-friendly options like oat and soy milk can reduce our water footprint. It can also spare cows and calves from dairy’s cycle of suffering. Head to our shopping list here to explore cow-friendly alternatives from milk and butter, to chocolate and yoghurt.

Gear discarded by the fishing industry — known as ‘ghost gear’ — makes up most large plastic littering the aquatic environment, according to reports. One study estimated the figure to be as high as 70% (by weight) of macroplastics floating on the sea’s surface to be related to fishing. Other sea pollutants include plastic from land, such as bags, wrappers, cutlery and bottles.  

Whether this pollution remains intact as large pieces, or breaks down into microplastics, it poses a deadly threat to all marine life. As well as the fish who suffer immensely when being caught and killed by the fishing industry, ‘non-target’ animals like seals and turtles are at risk of prolonged suffering and death from entanglement in lines and netting, or the ingestion of smaller plastic pieces.

If the demand for ‘seafood’ increases across the globe, it is also likely that there will be an increase in abandoned fishing gear too. With reports predicting we could have more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight) in less than 30 years, continuing to reduce and recycle plastic waste is critical, as is opting for ocean-friendly food. There is an abundance of tasty and nutritious ‘seafood’ alternatives to explore from ‘fish and chips’ to ‘crab cakes’ that are inspired by the sea, while also being kinder to it.

When people think about Australia, it is the country’s extraordinary wildlife that is likely to come to mind. The same is true for most places around the world — with different geographical locations conjuring up vivid images of the unique native animals that live there, from African Elephants to Giant Pandas. Because these animals are granted wonderful exposure on television and in print, it comes as a shock to many to learn that globally there are significantly more animals who have been bred to be killed for food than there are wild mammals and birds.

Wildlife loss is occurring at an alarming rate — largely driven by habitat destruction to farm animals for meat and dairy. In 2022, the Australian Government made the devastating announcement that koalas are considered endangered in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. According to The Australian Koala Foundation, the estimated number of koalas is now less than 100,000 — a frighteningly low number, particularly when compared to the 24.7 million cattle reported by Meat and Livestock Australia in 2019.

An ever-increasing number of caring people are taking charge by filling their plates with more plants — reducing pressure on the farming systems which are negatively impacting animals and the planet.

The earliest evidence of sharks dates back 450 million years — an amount of time that is even more impressive when compared to that of modern humans (we have been around for less than 300,000 years!).

Sharks are apex predators, and their role at the top of the food chain is critical to maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Sadly, in the last 50 years alone, the populations of sharks and rays have plummeted by more than 70% — largely due to the fishing industry.

They are targeted for their meat (which is often marketed as ‘flake’) as well as their fins and oil for consumers across the globe. On top of this, sharks also fall victim to supertrawlers as ‘by-catch’, as do most sea animals who unfortunately cross paths with their giant, indiscriminate nets.

To drive these misunderstood animals to extinction is to head down a dangerous path for the oceans as we know them.

Most of us long for a future that is brighter and healthier for our planet – where wild animals thrive and farmed animals are extended the compassion they too deserve. 

Thankfully, as consumer demand has led to many of the issues animals and ecosystems face today, we can also address them. We each have the power to shape the future we wish to see every time we’re at the supermarket. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can bring our shared vision of a kinder world to life, join the evolution and order your free guide today.