Here are Sentient Media's top stories in animals, food, climate and health for the week of July 3, 2023 🧵 Is Avian Flu Already Endemic? Here’s What Scientists Know: The “sick bird markets” of Indonesia hold answers for our future with bird flu, a growing body of research suggests. Francesco deAugustinis explains:
sentientmedia.org/avian-flu-alre…

This week, @SarahHuckabee supported a law that ends one of Arkansas' only oversight mechanisms for child labor.

Here's why labor laws are crucial to protect vulnerable groups from being targeted by a sector, which is chronically understaffed: the meat industry.👇 1/10 The law signed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders eliminates requirements for the state to verify the age of children under the age of 16 before they can take a job.

@zhang_sharon report via @truthout. 2/10
truthout.org/articles/arkan…

This week, the @US_FDA announced that plant-based milk alternatives can be labeled “milk” but should identify nutritional differences from cow’s milk on front-of-package labeling.

Plant-based producers, consumers and dairy groups alike have criticized this move. 👇 1/7 According to the FDA, consumers do not fully understand nutrient differences.

The agency calls for labels that note when plant-based products have lower or higher levels of nutrients than cow’s milk, such as protein or calcium. @JoNel_Aleccia @AP 2/7
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireSto…

The Netherlands is one of the only countries committed to scaling down its livestock sector.

The decision is motivated by a severe pollution crisis but far-right influencers have latched onto this issue, spreading misinformation.👇 #stikstofcrisis 1/11 In a viral video, @rustyrockets described the pollution crisis as a “scam” claiming the Netherlands aims "to bankrupt the farmers, so their land can be grabbed"

@guardian columnist @GeorgeMonbiot explains why these claims are damaging & misleading. 2/11

This week, people have been discussing if we should eat pork instead of beef to protect planetary health.

Today, we are taking a close look at the environmental, ethical and health consequences such a switch would entail. 1/11 If US Americans ate pork instead of beef, the amount of pork eaten per capita would rise from 51 pounds to 110 pounds.

To make this move possible, the population of farmed pigs would have to increase massively, more than doubling in size. 2/11
ers.usda.gov/data-products/…

As a short-lived but potent greenhouse gas, methane plays a make-or-break role in fending off catastrophic warming in our immediate future.

Today, we are taking a close look at different methods to measure methane emissions and their pros and cons.👇1/13
sentientmedia.org/measuring-meth… Because many greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, researchers rely on equations called “Global Warming Potentials” (GWPs) to compare the impacts of different gases.

Using GWPs allows us to convert emissions into comparable CO2 equivalents. 2/13
epa.gov/ghgemissions/u…

Outlet @Newsweek recently published a guide on eating ethically "if you just can't cut out meat and dairy." ✍️ @DewanPandora

While the article criticizes factory farming and misleading food labels, it also promotes several problematic narratives.👇 1/10
newsweek.com/newsweek-com-g… @Newsweek @DewanPandora According to the article, consumers concerned about animal welfare should buy third-party certified products.

While @Newsweek acknowledges the limitations of some certification schemes, shopping for animal products is even more complicated than that. 2/10

This week, a @Nature study found that methane emissions from agricultural ponds are underestimated in national GHG inventories.

Here’s what you need to know about the environmental impacts of ponds associated with animal agriculture.👇 1/11 Agricultural ponds, aka farm dams, impoundments and dugouts, are small, constructed waterbodies.

Livestock manure and fertilizer often accumulate in these waterbodies, creating ideal conditions for methane production. 2/11
nature.com/articles/s4324…

This year's UN climate conference runs from November 6-18, bringing together leaders to take action toward global climate goals.

Today, we explore how livestock lobby groups like @GRSBeef and @USDairyExporter work to undermine efforts to reduce methane emissions at #COP27. 1/11 Livestock lobbyists are showing up with unprecedented visibility at #COP27.

@FawcettAtkinson reports on @GRSBeef, @CanCattle and @dfc_plc working to convince COP27 attendees that meat can be a climate solution via @NatObserver. 2/11
nationalobserver.com/2022/11/10/new…

Notice anything different? We've launched new categories on our website! Take a look at what's new ⤵️ If you click on the "agriculture" tab, you'll find investigative and explanatory journalism exploring agriculture, food systems, sustainable farming, food waste, aquaculture, industry and workers by writers like @JessLReid and @HamlettClaire: sentientmedia.org/agriculture

Last month, @WMO reported that methane emissions are rising faster than ever.

Today, we explore how governments fail to tackle methane emissions from animal agriculture—and why we need to slash methane emissions now to tackle #GlobalWarming and ensure a livable future. 1/13 2020 and 2021 saw the largest increases in methane emissions since records began, according to @WMO.

Their data indicates that biological sources, such as agriculture, are responsible, rather than #methane from gas leaks. @ConservationOrg reports. 2/13 conservation.org/blog/news-spot…

Our mission at @Sentient_Media is to tell animal stories and hold mainstream outlets accountable for misrepresenting #animal issues.

As October comes to a close, we are taking a look at six articles that caught our attention this month. 👇1/13 🚫In a piece published via @unherd, @JLewisStempel warned that the rise of vegan companies threatens to create a #FoodSystem similar to the dystopia described by Aldous Huxley in "Brave New World." 2/13
unherd.com/2022/10/big-ve…

Members of the Sentient Media team recently attended the inaugural #AVASummit2022 in Washington DC.

The conference consisted of hundreds of advocates and 80+ expert speakers on animal advocacy and food system change. Speakers included our executive director @AnaBrdly, Monica Chen of @ffacoalition and Brooke Haggerty of @faunalytics who spoke on the challenges and triumphs of being an executive director.

One month ago, the Norwegian fishing ministry shot #FreyatheWalrus dead, leading to media coverage saying she was “euthanized.”

Today, we look at four euphemistic terms used by industries that profit from #animal death and at outlets repeating this lingo without scrutiny. 1/10 Outlets like @guardian, @euronews, @CNN and @NPR were among many that used the word “euthanized” to describe Freya’s death.

A rare exception, which did not repeat the language used by the #fishing ministry, was a piece by @jasondhorowitz at @nytimes. 2/10
nytimes.com/2022/08/19/wor…

This week, people have been discussing if eating #oysters conflicts with following a plant-based diet.

Today, we’re taking a look at the definition of sentience and #veganism—and at animal species that have been proven to be more sentient than humans used to think. 👇1/14 Although there is legal and scientific disagreement about #sentience, there are some standards that are broadly accepted.

According to @SentienceInst, sentience is simply the ability to have positive and negative experiences, including pain. 2/14
sentientmedia.org/sentient-being/

This week, the media reported on a @Cornell study, warning that #meat alternatives could cost millions of jobs.

The reports did not consider the human costs of animal agriculture and that a more #PlantBased food system would create jobs that don't involve slaughter.👇1/13 🚫A new study has shown the devastating impact of #PlantBased beef alternatives on jobs, Rob Waugh reported via @YahooNews.

The article warned that #meat alternatives cost 440,000 jobs in the UK. 2/13
news.yahoo.com/plant-based-be…

With heat waves raging across the globe, more and more people are eager to take #ClimateAction.

Today, we share ten impactful action steps recommended by @EarthHeroOrg and @ProjectDrawdown to tackle the #ClimateCrisis and some recommendations on how to implement them.👇 1/12 The @EarthHero app helps users set targets to reduce #emissions relative to global averages and #IPCC recommendations.

The app also includes action steps that involve working together, advocating for change, and holding decision-makers accountable. 2/12
earthhero.org/app/

Today is #NationalChickenWingDay, one of many US holidays celebrating animal-based products.

We honor this day by exploring the health, environmental, and ethical impacts of #poultry farming and celebrating plant-based chicken for providing an animal-free alternative. 1/12 Despite their proven ability to experience suffering, #chickens account for 95% of land animals farmed for food globally.

@JenMishler explores research demonstrating chickens' emotional & cognitive abilities—ranging from feeling #empathy to dreaming. 2/12
sentientmedia.org/are-chickens-s…

This month, the dramatic #FarmersProtests in the Netherlands have captured the media's attention.

Today, we take a look at what the coverage got wrong about the #boerenprotest and the #BigAg interests many journalists failed to mention.👇 1/19
sentientmedia.org/what-the-media… 🚫Most reports failed to mention 8 major companies that have an interest in protecting the status quo:

🐷 meat: @VionFoodGroup, @VanDrieGroup & @PlukonFoodGroup
🌽 feed: Van Heus, For Farmers & @Agrifirm
🐮 dairy: @FrieslndCampina
💵 finance: @RaboFoodAgri

#boerenprotest
2/19

Soy is one of the most well-known sources of #PlantBased protein.

While many people enjoy dishes made from #soy, others are concerned about soy’s environmental and health impacts.

Today, we are taking a close look at the impacts of soy and the many myths that surround it.👇 1/8 Many people worry that #soy increases cancer risks.

However, these concerns are based on #animal studies, which found that rodents who were exposed to high doses of isoflavones, compounds found in soy, showed an increased risk of breast cancer. 2/8
sentientmedia.org/soy/

This week, investigators found that German #meat companies sold sausages made from bones.

The #livestock sector is highly secretive, hiding its practices from the public eye. As a result, many people don't know what animal products are made of, including these 8 examples.👇1/11 Many #ChickenNuggets contain very little actual meat.

Instead, they mostly consist of fat and other body parts, including #chicken nerves, bone, skin, and connective tissue. @iltaylorwriter reports. 2/11
sentientmedia.org/how-are-chicke…