PETA ‘Cow’ and ‘Butcher’ Arrested at COP28 Over Warning to Flesh Peddlers Infiltrating Conference
Two PETA protesters were taken away by the police at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai today. In response to plans to present meat as “sustainable”, one of the PETA supporters was nearly nude, body-painted as a bovine alongside a ‘butcher’. The action urged the world leaders present to avert the worst effects of the climate catastrophe by acknowledging the cow in the room: animal agriculture, which is a leading cause of global heating.
If world leaders recognised that animal agriculture is killing the planet, we would have a better chance of halting the climate catastrophe and sparing countless animals.
The Cow in the Room
If you care about the environment, you urgently need to ditch meat and dairy and choose vegan foods. According to the United Nations, about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food production, and the largest percentage of these gases comes from the meat and dairy industries.
The United Nations also recognises that animal agriculture is a major contributor to water pollution. Run-off from meat, egg, and dairy farms pollutes rivers with faeces, urine, pathogens like E. coli, antibiotics, and other drug residues.
Animal agriculture is also stealing natural habitats from wildlife around the globe. It takes up one-third of the Earth’s land surface and is responsible for 30% of biodiversity loss.
Growing vegan foods – such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts, and lentils – requires less energy, land, and water.
Meat: The Biggest Killer
The meat industry is by far the biggest killer of animals around the world. Before they are turned into steaks and burgers, cows may spend their entire lives indoors, never grazing in the open air or having space to move around. Even grass-fed cows usually spend some of their time inside, often in crowded, faeces-filled feedlots.
Farmers in the UK routinely “disbud” young calves to prevent their horns from growing. This mutilation is terrifying for calves and is linked to brain damage, infection, fly infestations on the wounds, and post-operative chronic pain.
During the journey to the abattoir, cows frequently collapse from exhaustion. Once unloaded, they’re shot in the head with an electric bolt gun in order to stun them. But inept, overworked employees often fail to do this properly, so many cows go to their deaths still conscious – terrified and kicking and screaming as they’re skinned and dismembered.
Take Personal Responsibility
While you were reading this blog, around 3,000 cows were slaughtered for their flesh. Each of them was an individual who valued their life, just as you do. Take a stand against this violent industry and its devastating contribution to the climate catastrophe.
The best way to reduce your carbon footprint and spare countless lives is to eat vegan. PETA stands ready to help you make the switch to a sustainable and compassionate diet.
