#Dairy industry dangers

[jobayraseo]

The Hidden Dangers of the Dairy Industry: What Consumers Need to Know

Introduction

The dairy industry has long been a cornerstone of human civilization, providing essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. For centuries, dairy products have been celebrated as a vital component of a balanced diet, often linked to strong bones and overall health. However, as the industry has evolved into a global powerhouse, driven by demand and industrial-scale production, significant concerns have emerged regarding its impact on human health, animal welfare, and the environment.

This article explores the hidden of the dairy industry dangers, shedding light on the various risks associated with dairy consumption, the ethical dilemmas surrounding animal treatment, and the environmental degradation caused by large-scale dairy farming. As consumers become more conscious of their food choices, understanding these dangers is crucial for making informed decisions.

Health Risks of Dairy Consumption

1. Lactose Intolerance and Digestive Issues

Lactose intolerance is one of the most common adverse reactions to dairy consumption, affecting approximately 65% of the global population. Lactose, the sugar found in milk, requires the enzyme lactase for proper digestion. Many individuals, particularly those of East Asian, African, and Native American descent, produce low levels of lactase, leading to symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and stomach cramps after consuming dairy products.

While lactose intolerance is not life-threatening, it significantly impacts the quality of life for those affected. Moreover, the widespread prevalence of lactose intolerance raises questions about the universality of dairy as a dietary staple. The assumption that milk is necessary for all individuals overlooks the biological diversity in human populations and the varying dietary needs across different cultures.

2. Allergic Reactions

Milk allergy, distinct from lactose intolerance, is an immune response to one or more proteins found in cow's milk, such as casein or whey. This condition primarily affects infants and young children, but it can persist into adulthood. Symptoms range from mild reactions, such as hives and nasal congestion, to severe anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

The prevalence of milk allergies, especially in children, has sparked debate over the safety of dairy as a recommended food for young people. The potential for severe allergic reactions necessitates careful consideration when introducing dairy products into the diet, particularly in children with a family history of allergies.

3. Hormones and Antibiotics

Industrial dairy farming often involves the use of hormones and antibiotics to increase milk production and maintain herd health. Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), for example, is commonly used in the United States to boost milk yield. However, the use of rBGH has been linked to an increased risk of health issues in cows, including mastitis, a painful udder infection, and reproductive problems.

For consumers, the concern lies in the potential health risks associated with hormone residues in milk. Some studies suggest that consumption of rBGH-treated milk may be linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer, due to elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the milk. Although the evidence is not conclusive, the potential risks have led to bans on rBGH use in several countries, including the European Union and Canada.

Additionally, the routine use of antibiotics in dairy farming contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. When antibiotics are overused in livestock, bacteria can develop resistance, rendering these drugs less effective in treating infections in both animals and humans. The presence of antibiotic residues in milk further compounds the issue, posing a direct threat to public health.

4. Saturated Fats and Heart Disease

Dairy products, particularly full-fat varieties, are high in saturated fats, which have long been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Although recent research has challenged the traditional view that all saturated fats are harmful, the link between high dairy consumption and cardiovascular problems remains a concern.

Excessive intake of saturated fats can raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, leading to the buildup of plaque in the arteries and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. While dairy can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation, the promotion of high-fat dairy products without adequate public education on portion control and healthier alternatives may contribute to the rising incidence of heart disease.

Ethical Concerns and Animal Welfare

1. Inhumane Treatment of Cows

The industrialization of the dairy industry has led to significant ethical concerns regarding the treatment of cows. In many large-scale operations, cows are often confined to small spaces, deprived of natural behaviors, and subjected to physical alterations, such as tail docking and dehorning, without adequate pain relief.

One of the most controversial practices in the dairy industry is the separation of calves from their mothers shortly after birth. This is done to maximize milk production for human consumption, but it causes significant distress for both the calf and the mother. Calves are often placed in isolated pens, fed a diet of milk replacer, and eventually sent to veal farms or raised for beef production, while the mother cow is re-impregnated to continue the cycle of milk production.

The constant cycle of impregnation, birth, and separation takes a toll on dairy cows, leading to physical exhaustion and a shortened lifespan. While a cow's natural lifespan can exceed 20 years, dairy cows are typically slaughtered for meat after just 4 to 6 years of production, when their milk yield begins to decline.

2. Impact on Calves

The fate of male calves in the dairy industry is particularly concerning. Since male calves cannot produce milk, they are often considered a byproduct of dairy farming. Many are slaughtered at a young age for veal, while others may be raised for beef. The veal industry, in particular, has been criticized for its inhumane practices, including the confinement of calves in small crates and the restriction of movement to produce tender meat.

Female calves, on the other hand, are often raised to replace older dairy cows in the herd. These young females will eventually undergo the same cycle of impregnation, milk production, and separation from their offspring, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation in the industry.

3. Artificial Breeding and Genetic Manipulation

To maximize milk production, the dairy industry has increasingly turned to artificial breeding and genetic manipulation. Selective breeding practices have produced cows with unnaturally large udders, leading to a higher risk of mastitis and other health issues. Additionally, the focus on high milk yield has resulted in cows that are more prone to metabolic disorders, lameness, and reproductive problems.

Genetic manipulation raises further ethical concerns, as it often prioritizes productivity over the well-being of the animals. The pursuit of ever-increasing milk yields has led to the creation of cows that are essentially production machines, with little regard for their quality of life.

Environmental Impact of Dairy Farming

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The dairy industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Methane is produced during the digestion process in cows, a phenomenon known as enteric fermentation, and is released into the atmosphere through belching.

In addition to methane, dairy farming also generates carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from manure management, feed production, and the use of fossil fuels in transportation and processing. The combined impact of these emissions makes the dairy industry a major player in global climate change.

Efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy farming have been made, including improved manure management practices and the development of methane-reducing feed additives. However, the scale of the industry and the inherent methane production in cows make it challenging to achieve significant reductions in emissions without reducing overall dairy consumption.

2. Water Usage and Pollution

Dairy farming is highly water-intensive, requiring vast amounts of water for feed production, animal hydration, and milking processes. In regions where water resources are already scarce, the demands of dairy farming can exacerbate water shortages and contribute to conflicts over water use.

Moreover, the disposal of dairy farm waste poses a significant threat to water quality. Manure runoff from dairy farms can contaminate nearby rivers, lakes, and groundwater with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in feed production further compounds the problem, contributing to the degradation of soil and water resources.

Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of dairy farming have included the adoption of more sustainable practices, such as rotational grazing, improved waste management, and the use of renewable energy sources. However, the environmental footprint of dairy remains substantial, particularly in regions where large-scale industrial farming is the norm.

3. Land Use and Deforestation

The expansion of dairy farming has also contributed to deforestation and habitat loss, particularly in countries like Brazil, where vast tracts of the Amazon rainforest have been cleared for cattle grazing and feed production. The conversion of forests to pastureland not only destroys biodiversity but also reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, further exacerbating climate change.

The demand for feed crops, such as soy and corn, has driven large-scale monoculture farming, leading to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased reliance on chemical inputs. The environmental costs of these practices are often borne by local communities, who may experience reduced access to natural resources, loss of livelihoods, and increased vulnerability to climate change.

The Future of Dairy: Alternatives and Solutions

1. Plant-Based Alternatives

As awareness of the health, ethical, and environmental issues associated with dairy increases, many consumers are turning to plant-based alternatives. Products made from almonds, soy, oats, and other plant sources offer a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional dairy. These alternatives are often lower in saturated fats and free from lactose, hormones, and antibiotics, making them suitable for a wider range of dietary needs.

The growth of the plant-based milk industry reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, with many people seeking to reduce their reliance on animal products for ethical and environmental reasons. However, it is important to note that the production of plant-based alternatives also has environmental impacts, such as water use in almond farming or deforestation for soy cultivation. Therefore, choosing sustainable and locally sourced alternatives is crucial for minimizing the environmental footprint.

2. Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture offers a promising approach to reducing the environmental impact of dairy farming. This holistic farming practice focuses on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and improving water management, all of which can help mitigate the environmental damage caused by traditional dairy farming.

By adopting regenerative practices, such as rotational grazing, cover cropping, and composting, dairy farmers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil fertility, and promote ecosystem health. While regenerative agriculture is not a panacea, it represents a step toward more sustainable and ethical dairy production.

3. Consumer Awareness and Advocacy

Ultimately, the future of the dairy industry will be shaped by consumer choices and advocacy. By becoming informed about the risks associated with dairy consumption and the impact of the industry on animals and the environment, consumers can make more ethical and sustainable food choices.

Advocacy for stricter regulations on animal welfare, environmental protection, and food labeling can also drive positive change in the dairy industry. Supporting local, organic, and regenerative farms, reducing dairy consumption, and exploring plant-based alternatives are all ways individuals can contribute to a more sustainable food system.

Conclusion

The dairy industry industry dangers  , while deeply ingrained in many cultures and economies, poses significant risks to human health, animal welfare, and the environment. From the widespread prevalence of lactose intolerance and milk allergies to the ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of cows and the environmental degradation caused by large-scale farming, the dangers of dairy are multifaceted and far-reaching.

As consumers, we have the power to influence the future of the dairy industry by making informed choices, advocating for change, and exploring alternatives that align with our values. By doing so, we can help create a food system that is not only healthier and more ethical but also sustainable for generations to come.

[anamika7282]

10 Billion Lives

[rimaakter45]

नैतिक शाकाहारी भोजन: एक स्वस्थ, दयालु और अधिक टिकाऊ जीवन शैली

परिचय:

हाल के वर्षों में, नैतिक शाकाहार ने महत्वपूर्ण आकर्षण प्राप्त किया है, और अच्छे कारण से। पशु कल्याण, मानव स्वास्थ्य और पर्यावरणीय स्थिरता के बारे में बढ़ती चिंताओं के साथ, बढ़ती संख्या में लोग नैतिक शाकाहारी जीवन शैली का विकल्प चुन रहे हैं। यह लेख की अवधारणा पर प्रकाश डालता हैनैतिक शाकाहारी भोजन, आम गलतफहमियों को दूर करते हुए जानवरों, मानव स्वास्थ्य और ग्रह के लिए इसके लाभों की खोज करना।

पशु कल्याण

नैतिक शाकाहार के पीछे प्राथमिक प्रेरणा जानवरों को होने ��ाले नुकसान को कम करने की इच्छा है। नैतिक शाकाहारी मांस, डेयरी, अंडे और शहद सहित किसी भी पशु उत्पाद का सेवन करने से बचते हैं। इस जीवनशैली को अपनाकर, व्यक्तियों ने सक्रिय रूप से खाद्य उद्योग में जानवरों के शोषण को समाप्त कर दिया।

फैक्ट्री फार्मिंग, जहां जानवरों को भीड़भाड़, कैद और क्रूर प्रथाओं का शिकार बनाया जाता है, एक बड़ी चिंता का विषय है। नैतिक शाकाहारी इन उद्योगों से अपना समर्थन वापस लेने का विकल्प चुनते हैं, सक्रिय रूप से एक दयालु विकल्प को बढ़ावा देते हैं। पशु उत्पादों का बहिष्कार करके, नैतिक शाकाहारी लोग जानवरों की पीड़ा को कम करने में योगदान देते हैं, एक ऐसी दुनिया की वकालत करते हैं जो सभी संवेदनशील प्राणियों का सम्मान और महत्व करती है।

स्वास्थ्य सुविधाएं

आम धारणा के विपरीत, नैतिक शाकाहार कई स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान करने वाला सिद्ध हुआ है। एक सुनियोजित शाकाहारी आहार इष्टतम स्वास्थ्य के लिए आवश्यक सभी आवश्यक पोषक तत्व प्रदान कर सकता है। शाकाहार व्यक्तियों को फलों, सब्जियों, साबुत अनाज, नट्स और बीजों का सेवन बढ़ाने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करता है, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप पोषक तत्वों से भरपूर आहार मिलता है जिसमें संतृप्त वसा और कोलेस्ट्रॉल कम होता है।

अध्ययनों से लगातार पता चला है कि शाकाहारी लोगों में हृदय रोग, उच्च रक���तचाप, मोटापा और कुछ कैंसर की दर कम होती है। पौधे-आधारित आहार पाचन तंत्र पर भी हल्का होता है, जिससे ऊर्जा का स्तर बढ़ता है और समग्र स्वास्थ्य में सुधार होता है। इसके अलावा, पशु उत्पादों को खत्म करने से मांस और डेयरी उपभोग से जुड़ी खाद्य जनित बीमारियों का खतरा काफी कम हो जाता है।

पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव

पशु कृषि के पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव को कम करके नहीं आंका जा सकता। पशुधन खेती को ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन, वनों की कटाई, भूमि क्षरण, जल प्रदूषण और प्रजातियों के विलुप्त होने में महत्वपूर्ण योगदानकर्ता के रूप में पहचाना गया है। नैतिक शाकाहारी जीवनशैली अपनाकर, व्यक्ति जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने और भावी पीढ़ियों के लिए ग्रह को संरक्षित करने में सक्रिय भूमिका निभा सकते हैं।

यह सिद्ध हो चुका है कि पशु उत्पादों से भरपूर आहार की तुलना में पौधे आधारित आहार में कार्बन फुटप्रिंट कम होता है। कृषि पशुओं को खिलाने के लिए आवश्यक फसलों के लिए बड़ी मात्रा में भूमि और जल संसाधनों की आवश्यकता होती है, जिससे अंततः वनों की कटाई और पानी की कमी होती है। पौधों के स्रोतों से सीधे उपभोग करके, नैतिक शाकाहारी पानी के संरक्षण, ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन को कम करने और जैव विविधता की रक्षा करने में मदद करते हैं।

गलतफहमियों को दूर करना

नैतिक शाकाहार के पक्ष में ढेर सारे सबूत होने के बावजूद, कई गलतफहमियाँ बनी हुई हैं। शाकाहार के खिलाफ सबसे आम तर्कों में से एक यह धारणा है कि पौधे-आधारित आहार में आवश्यक पोषक तत्वों, विशेष रूप से प्रोटीन और विटामिन बी 12 की कमी होती है। हालाँकि, उचित योजना और ज्ञान के साथ, शाकाहारी लोग विभिन्न प्रकार के पौधों पर आधारित खाद्य पदार्थों को शामिल करके अपनी सभी पोषण संबंधी आवश्यकताओं को आसानी से पूरा कर सकते हैं।

यह भी ध्यान रखना महत्वपूर्ण है कि नैतिक शाकाहार प्रतिबंधात्मक भोजन या अभाव का पर्याय नहीं है। शाकाहार की बढ़ती लोकप्रियता के साथ, कई स्वादिष्ट पौधे-आधारित विकल्प सामने आए हैं, जो नैतिक शाकाहारियों को उनके मूल्यों से समझौता किए बिना, उन स्वादों और बनावटों का आनंद लेने की अनुमति देते हैं जो उन्हें हमेशा से पसंद रहे हैं।

निष्कर्ष:

नैतिक शाकाहार केवल एक आहार विकल्प से कहीं अधिक है; यह एक ऐसी जीवनशैली है जो करुणा, स्वास्थ्य और स्थिरता को बढ़ावा देती है। पशु कल्याण की रक्षा करके, व्यक्तिगत स्वास्थ्य में सुधार करके और पर्यावरणीय क्षति को कम करके, नैतिक शाकाहारी सक्रिय रूप से एक दयालु, स्वस्थ और अधिक टिकाऊ दुनिया के निर्माण में योगदान करते हैं। नैतिक शाकाहारी भोजन को अपनाने से न केवल व्यक्तियों बल्कि हमारे ग्रह के सामूहिक भविष्य की भी सेवा होती है।

[seogoogle1]

Untold Stories of Factory Farm Cruelty: Shedding Light on Animal Suffering

In the bustling metropolis of modern society, there exists a hidden realm obscured from public view, where the silent cries of billions of voiceless creatures echo within the walls of industrialized confinement. These are the untold stories of factory farm cruelty, narratives of suffering and exploitation etched into the fabric of our food system. While the glossy veneer of supermarket shelves may obscure the grim reality, beneath lies a world fraught with unimaginable torment.

Factory farming, with its emphasis on efficiency and profit, has transformed the once pastoral image of agriculture into a dystopian landscape where animals are reduced to mere commodities, stripped of their inherent worth and subjected to unspeakable horrors. Behind closed doors, away from prying eyes, lies a labyrinth of confinement and cruelty, where the principles of compassion and empathy are sacrificed at the altar of mass production.

The first whispers of these untold stories emerge from the heart of factory farms, where overcrowded and unsanitary conditions serve as the backdrop for a life of perpetual suffering. In cramped cages and barren enclosures, animals are deprived of the most basic freedoms, condemned to a life devoid of sunlight, fresh air, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors. Pigs, confined to gestation crates barely larger than their own bodies, are forced to endure a living hell, unable to even turn around or lie down comfortably. Chickens, crammed into battery cages so small they cannot spread their wings, suffer from broken bones and feather loss, their lives reduced to a cycle of despair.

But perhaps the most harrowing aspect of factory farm cruelty lies not in the physical confines, but in the psychological torment inflicted upon these sentient beings. Denied the opportunity to express their natural instincts, animals are driven to the brink of madness, their spirits broken by a relentless onslaught of stress and despair. From the incessant clanking of metal bars to the overpowering stench of ammonia, every aspect of their environment serves as a reminder of their subjugation, leaving psychological scars that may never heal.

Yet, even in the face of such adversity, the resilience of these animals shines through in moments of quiet defiance. From the mother pig who fiercely protects her young despite the confines of her cage to the chicken who refuses to surrender her will to live, there exists a flicker of hope amidst the darkness—a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, the spirit of compassion cannot be extinguished.

The untold stories of factory farm cruelty extend beyond the confines of the farm itself, casting a shadow that stretches far and wide across the landscape of our society. From the environmental degradation wrought by industrialized agriculture to the public health risks posed by the overuse of antibiotics, the ripple effects of factory farming are felt by all, regardless of whether or not they choose to acknowledge them.

It is a testament to the power of ignorance and complacency that these stories remain untold, hidden beneath a veil of secrecy perpetuated by an industry that profits from our collective apathy. Yet, as the demand for transparency and accountability continues to grow, so too does the opportunity for change. Through education and advocacy, we have the power to shine a light into the darkest corners of factory farming, exposing the truth behind the glossy facade and demanding justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

In the pursuit of a more humane and sustainable future, it is imperative that we confront the untold stories of factory farm cruelty head-on, challenging the status quo and demanding an end to the exploitation of sentient beings. By choosing compassion over convenience and empathy over indifference, we can rewrite the narrative of our food system, creating a world where the untold stories of factory farm cruelty are replaced with tales of resilience, liberation, and hope.

In conclusion, the untold stories of factory farm cruelty serve as a stark reminder of the ethical and moral implications of our food choices. By confronting these narratives with courage and compassion, we have the power to spark a revolution rooted in empathy and justice—a revolution that transcends the boundaries of species and embraces the inherent worth of all living beings. Let us heed the call of conscience and stand in solidarity with the voiceless, for in their liberation lies the true measure of our humanity.

website: cruelty.farm

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Amy Maxmen at KFF Health News:

Keith Poulsen’s jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. A livestock veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin, Poulsen had seen sick cows before, with their noses dripping and udders slack. But the scale of the farmers’ efforts to treat the sick cows stunned him. They showed videos of systems they built to hydrate hundreds of cattle at once. In 14-hour shifts, dairy workers pumped gallons of electrolyte-rich fluids into ailing cows through metal tubes inserted into the esophagus. “It was like watching a field hospital on an active battlefront treating hundreds of wounded soldiers,” he said. Nearly a year into the first outbreak of the bird flu among cattle, the virus shows no sign of slowing. The U.S. government failed to eliminate the virus on dairy farms when it was confined to a handful of states, by quickly identifying infected cows and taking measures to keep their infections from spreading. Now at least 875 herds across 16 states have tested positive.

Experts say they have lost faith in the government’s ability to contain the outbreak. “We are in a terrible situation and going into a worse situation,” said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. “I don’t know if the bird flu will become a pandemic, but if it does, we are screwed.” To understand how the bird flu got out of hand, KFF Health News interviewed nearly 70 government officials, farmers and farmworkers, and researchers with expertise in virology, pandemics, veterinary medicine, and more. Together with emails obtained from local health departments through public records requests, this investigation revealed key problems, including deference to the farm industry, eroded public health budgets, neglect for the safety of agriculture workers, and the sluggish pace of federal interventions. Case in point: The U.S. Department of Agriculture this month announced a federal order to test milk nationwide. Researchers welcomed the news but said it should have happened months ago — before the virus was so entrenched.

“It’s disheartening to see so many of the same failures that emerged during the covid-19 crisis reemerge,” said Tom Bollyky, director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. Far more bird flu damage is inevitable, but the extent of it will be left to the Trump administration and Mother Nature. Already, the USDA has funneled more than $1.7 billion into tamping down the bird flu on poultry farms since 2022, which includes reimbursing farmers who’ve had to cull their flocks, and more than $430 million into combating the bird flu on dairy farms. In coming years, the bird flu may cost billions of dollars more in expenses and losses. Dairy industry experts say the virus kills roughly 2% to 5% of infected dairy cows and reduces a herd’s milk production by about 20%. Worse, the outbreak poses the threat of a pandemic. More than 60 people in the U.S. have been infected, mainly by cows or poultry, but cases could skyrocket if the virus evolves to spread efficiently from person to person. And the recent news of a person critically ill in Louisiana with the bird flu shows that the virus can be dangerous.

Just a few mutations could allow the bird flu to spread between people. Because viruses mutate within human and animal bodies, each infection is like a pull of a slot machine lever. “Even if there’s only a 5% chance of a bird flu pandemic happening, we’re talking about a pandemic that probably looks like 2020 or worse,” said Tom Peacock, a bird flu researcher at the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom, referring to covid. “The U.S. knows the risk but hasn’t done anything to slow this down,” he added. Beyond the bird flu, the federal government’s handling of the outbreak reveals cracks in the U.S. health security system that would allow other risky new pathogens to take root. “This virus may not be the one that takes off,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, director of the emerging diseases group at the World Health Organization. “But this is a real fire exercise right now, and it demonstrates what needs to be improved.”

[...] Curtailing the virus on farms is the best way to prevent human infections, said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, but human surveillance must be stepped up, too. Every clinic serving communities where farmworkers live should have easy access to bird flu tests — and be encouraged to use them. Funds for farmworker outreach must be boosted. And, she added, the CDC should change its position and offer farmworkers bird flu vaccines to protect them and ward off the chance of a hybrid bird flu that spreads quickly. The rising number of cases not linked to farms signals a need for more testing in general. When patients are positive on a general flu test — a common diagnostic that indicates human, swine, or bird flu — clinics should probe more deeply, Nuzzo said. The alternative is a wait-and-see approach in which the nation responds only after enormous damage to lives or businesses. This tack tends to rely on mass vaccination. But an effort analogous to Trump’s Operation Warp Speed is not assured, and neither is rollout like that for the first covid shots, given a rise in vaccine skepticism among Republican lawmakers.

KFF Health News reports on how America lost control on containing the bird flu that could set the stage for another pandemic. If we see another COVID-level or even Ebola-level pandemic, America will be in for a world of hurt, thanks to the rise of anti-public health sentiments.

See Also:

CNN: How America lost control of the bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic

[acti-veg]

Denying the role that individuals need to play in combating the climate crisis is the leftist version of climate change denial. Anyone responding to suggestions of realistic, accessible changes to reduce your own impact with anything resembling ‘100 companies are responsible for most of our emissions so this is pointless’ are engaging in science denialism.

There is no way that collective action takes place without individuals making changes in their own lives. Yes, the rich are more responsible than the poor and yes, what we need is systematic change. However, there absolutely are things we can and should be doing to reduce our own impact and put pressure on polluting industries through direct action and boycott.

These include stopping or reducing flying, eliminating or drastically reducing our consumption of meat and dairy, buying second hand where possible, repairing, recycling and supporting environmental action and rewilding efforts. None of this in isolation will mend the world but its a hell of a lot better than passing the buck while refusing to make any changes in our own lives.

I know that the idea that climate change is caused by someone else; somewhere else, and that it’s up to them to change instead of us is seductive rhetoric, but it’s also extremely dangerous. It encourages the kind of apathy that plays directly into the hands of corporations who want us to feel powerless and to continue to consume as we do now.

We can’t just sit around and wait for The Revolution; we have to live revolutionary lives.

[labvet]

THIS IS A LONG POST BUT BEAR WITH ME IT’S IMPORTANT!!!!

I want to talk about something, and I’m going to start with something one of my professors shared on Facebook.

“The Silent Crisis That Could Shatter U.S. Public Health & Food Security

What if your grocery store suddenly ran out of meat, eggs and milk? What if a mysterious, untreatable infectionstarted spreading through hospitals? What if a deadly virus jumped from animals to humans, triggering a pandemic even worse than COVID-19—and no one saw it coming?

This isn't fear-mongering. It's what could happen if federal veterinarians start leaving their jobs in droves due to political instability and workforce cuts.

Veterinarians working for agencies like the @usdagov, @fda , and @cdcgov are the first line of defense against foodborne illnesses, zoonotic diseases, and agricultural disasters. They keep our meat and dairy safe, stop outbreaks of rabies, mad cow disease, and avian flu, and ensure that deadly viruses like African swine fever (ASF) don’t wipe out entire industries.

But if federal hiring freezes, layoffs, and policy shifts force them out, who will protect us?

- African Swine Fever could collapse the $20B pork industry, causing mass food shortages. Don't believe it? Ask Heather Fowler

- Bird flu could mutate and spark a pandemic like the Spanish Flu of 1918

- Rabies, brucellosis, and Q fever could spread unchecked, infecting thousands

Food Shortages, Economic Collapse, and National Security Risks

- The loss of federal veterinarians wouldn’t just lead to disease outbreaks—it would trigger a nationwide food crisis.

- Meat, dairy, and eggs could become dangerous to consume without proper safety inspections.

- Grocery prices would skyrocket, putting nutritious food out of reach for millions.

- International trade could shut down, as other countries refuse to buy U.S. meat and animal products.

- Even the U.S. military relies on veterinarians to keep food safe for deployed troops and care for army animals. Without them, soldiers could get sick from contaminated food, and security dogs could be left untreated.

The loss of these veterinarians wouldn't just be an inconvenience—it would be catastrophic for public health, food security, and the economy.

#Repost @myvetcandy”

These are aspects of vet med that a lot of people don’t think about, and we already have shortages of veterinarians in these departments. I can’t tell you the number of times I (and my peers) had military recruiters reach out to us during school offering to pay for us to finish our degrees if we agreed to join the military for so long afterward. (I even had a classmate actually go through with it who wasn’t already military). Also, the number of USDA vets I have seen begging people to join them. These people play critical roles in keeping us safe.

With the current avian influenza spreading through not only wild and captive bird populations, but cats and cattle and even jumping into humans from cattle, this is more critical to have these people now than ever before! This past year showed the first cattle to human transmission, something we never even thought was possible. Virus can be found in eggs and milk. These are the people in charge of making sure these products are safe to continue on for sale. If the Trump/Musk administration keeps cutting and firing people left and right, it’s only a matter of time before something happens (milk not getting properly pasteurized, sick animals accidentally ending up in line for slaughter, E. coli or Salmonella outbreaks not getting tracked, our troops overseas affected by severe food-borne illnesses, etc.).

So please, contact your senators and representatives. Beg them to stop this madness. Last week, it was a commercial airliner crashing into a Blackhawk helicopter, next month it could be an outbreak of Avian Influenza.

[mariacallous]

President-elect Donald Trump built his campaign on the promise of the “largest deportation operation in American history.” In early December he told NBC’s Meet the Press that he planned to start by deporting convicted criminals and then “the others,” including whole families where some members are in the US legally.

The human and financial costs of such an operation would be staggering. There are an estimated 11 million undocumented people in the US and a further 2.3 million who have been released into the US after crossing the border illegally during the Biden administration. According to an analysis from the American Immigration Council, deporting all of these people would cost nearly $968 billion over more than a decade, as well as requiring 24 times the detention capacity currently available and more than 1,000 new immigration courtrooms.

Mass deportations would also have a big impact on America’s meat industry, which is heavily reliant on undocumented laborers. Around 23 percent of workers in the meatpacking industry are undocumented and 42 percent are foreign-born, says Steven Hubbard, senior data scientist at the American Immigration Council. The meatpacking industry, where animals are slaughtered, processed, and packaged for human consumption, has one of the highest ratios of foreign-born workers of any industry in the US, says Hubbard.

The industry’s reliance on undocumented labor made it a target of immigration raids under earlier administrations. In August 2019 immigration authorities arrested 680 people in raids on seven food-processing plants across Mississippi, just one of several rounds of raids that targeted meatpacking plants during the previous Trump administration.

Wages in the meatpacking industry are low, and conditions are dangerous. A 2018 analysis of data from the Occuputational Safety and Health Administration by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that amputations happen on average twice weekly across US meat plants. Some meatpacking companies also hire incarcerated laborers to work in their plants.

“Poultry has been maintained as a pretty low-cost protein in this country, and that is largely on the backs of low-wage workers and people with precarious statuses,” says Angela Stuesse, an anthropologist at the University of Carolina, Chapel Hill, who has studied poultry workers in Mississippi.

In recent earnings calls, shareholders in some publicly traded meat companies have asked whether the Trump administration’s deportation plans—among other issues—may pose a challenge to their industry. “We’ve been there before. It did not impact our business,” said Tim Klein, CEO of National Beef, which is owned by the Brazilian food company Marfrig, in response to a question from a shareholder. In response to a similar question in a Tyson Foods earnings call, CEO Donnie King said, “There’s a lot that we don’t know at this point, but I would remind you that we’ve successfully operated this business for over 90 years, no matter the party in control.”

It’s not clear whether the Trump regime would target meatpacking facilities operated by the biggest firms in the industry, given the favorable treatment these companies received at times during the first Trump presidency. During the Covid-19 pandemic, President Trump issued an executive order that allowed plants to keep operating, even as meatpackers were some of the hardest hit by infections. The US House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis later found that Tyson’s legal department drafted a text of the proposed order.

“These large meatpacking companies prevented additional protections from being put in place to protect workers, in part by engaging in a concerted effort with Trump administration political officials to insulate themselves from oversight, to force workers to remain in dangerous conditions, and to shield themselves from liability for any resulting worker illness or death,” the committee concluded in the report released in December 2022.

The supply of labor is tight in meatpacking plants and the farming industry as a whole, says Cesar Escalante, a professor at the University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences. The industry is in need of more workers, says Escalante, who argues that the US should expand the H-2A seasonal agricultural worker visa scheme to include more livestock workers. Smaller farms are more likely to be affected by a lack of workers, says Escalante, while larger farms may switch to mechanization.

If meatpacking workers are deported en masse, then that could translate into a rise in prices for consumers. A report from Texas A&M Agrilife Research estimates that eliminating immigrant labor on US dairy farms would nearly double retail milk prices. It’s not clear what the impact of Trump’s deportation plan would be on meat or food prices more generally, because so much about the plan remains unknown. “We don’t know yet how this is all going to pan out,” Hubbard says.

[vegantinatalist]

Imagine a scenerio

For the next 10 years all humans everywhere go vegan. How would the world benefit at all from that?

-End world hunger thousands of times over by using all the land dedicated to ag animals and animal feed for human use. Could also be used for housing. (80% of agricultural land is dedicated to livestock and livestock feed and since 90% of farm animals globally are factory farmed (99% in my country/USA), are fed mostly human-edible crops like corn and soy, and require 10 calories of plants to generate 1 calorie of animal food) This alone really should be the only reason people need, i mean its world hunger, just world hunger is all, but if you need more- -Huge reduction in child labor (animal ag has a lot of child laborers and a huge child laborer death toll as its a dangerous job in many ways from biohazards to insanely dangerous machinery that is literally designed to disassemble and debone freaking massive animals and yes children get sucked into them from time to time) -The amount of energy we would save and produce would be astronomical -Redirect those bajillions in subsidies back into crop agriculture and make our crops less shitty and maybe save or bring back some crop species from extinction (we have lost countless species of crops) or create new better crops -Water basin and soil quality healing and improvement

-Massive air quality improvement and co2 and methane emission reduction -Pollinators would increase as deforestation stops and honey farming would no longer happen (honeybee farming is a great threat to pollinators, honeybees are not pollinators and displace pollinators) -all the sanctuaries and people dedicating all their time to rescuing animals abused and rejected by the meat and dairy industry, pet breeding industry, animal testing labs etc could now focus on other things like maybe wildlife protection and rehabilitation or caring for human orphans which would just make the world a lot less shitty and sad. i fully believe we totally have the power to tame the wilds. we've already created plant based catfood with science and only like 4 percent of mammals are wild by mass, the rest are livestock. we have the power to make the world actually a paradise if we really wanted to. this would mentally benefit people who rightly think this world is shitty and violent and pointless to engage in, and when those people are happier other people would benefit too.

this is literally just off the top of my head, there are so many more reasons. this question gets asked a lot in r/debateavegan and on vegan world discord server, you can find people talking about all kinds of things you never would have considered

[olderthannetfic]

/726874196342407168/ this reminds me of a conversation I was in where someone had recently discovered that “non-dairy creamer” often still includes milk protein, it isn’t truly “dairy free” (because of industry bullshit) and someone else in the chat started up this whole moral panic about oh no this is so dangerous for people with the kind of milk allergy where if you consume it can kill you. And someone else in the chat who had that allergy had to speak up about, lol, no, those of us with truly dangerous allergies (and not just the kind of lactose intolerance that will give you the runs but nothing more) are in fact checking every ingredient list, because when it’s that severe you HAVE to. I think a lot of online discourse tends to assume that people with special needs are babies who need to have their hands held and I’ve basically never seen that be the case with anyone in those groups. In my experience, people with real PTSD triggers, like that asker described, tend to err on the safe side and just not read something that even looks like it could be in striking distance of that topic that they find upsetting, especially in fanfiction which so many people use as escapism. People who are truly upset by an Internet argument tend to quietly disengage and not keep wailing about how HURT they were by the other person’s WORDS. So much of the idea that the way to respond to this is by going on an extended angry rant and canceling everyone involved is coming from people who are not triggered and are not actually hurt, but just want to draw attention to themselves

--

I believe them that they feel upset. I just don't think it's other people's job to do their emotional regulation for them.

[0xo]

so h5n1 has officially jumped to humans in texas and texas being texas, i think we are fucked

edit: i was misinformed about the possibilities of human-to-human transmission. i didn't realize that it going from a cow to a human doesn't necessarily mean it will go straight to human-to-human. it's one confirmed case of a dairy worker contracting h5n1, but it is most likely not contagious from him. i hope that he recovers, and that it doesn't spread.

that said, i am very on edge about the chicken and dairy industries' lackluster response and wide refusal to cull infected livestock. even if it's "only" transmitting from animals to workers, it's unacceptable to put the workers in such a dangerous situation. and every transmission increases the risk of it becoming human transmissible. our current stats on h5n1 in humans reflect a grim survival rate. it's not okay to put people at risk this way for profit.

i am still extremely nervous about this situation, but i will try to be more cautious about sharing information. as always, please stay masked, stay safe, and stay vigilant.

[devoted1989]

the humane myth

By Animal Place.

“The end of an animal’s life on a “humane” farm is no different than on an industrial farm. Many of the same practices on factory farms are performed – without pain relief – on small and “humane” farms.

The following are standard practices that occur on small, medium, and large farms, with few exceptions.”

EGG FARMS

- Male chicks are killed the day they are hatched by being ground up alive, gassed, or suffocated.

- The beaks of day-old hen chicks are cut off without pain relief on caged, “cage-free,” and large free-range farms.

- The commonly used breeds of hens used produce 3-5 times more eggs than normal.

- Hens are slaughtered at 1-2 years of age on factory farms and small farms, while they could naturally live another 4-6.

- Chicks are born at hatcheries and shipped through the postal service. Some very small farms may hatch and raise chicks onsite, but this is unusual.

PIG FARMS

- Sickly or small piglets are killed with the same industry-approved method on certified “humane” small, and large farms – by slamming the piglet against concrete until they die.

- Male piglets are castrated without pain relief.

- Pigs are only 6-8 months old when they are killed. They can can live 10-15 years.

“BROILER" CHICKEN FARMS

- Chickens are killed when they are just 6 weeks old.

- Chickens used in the broiler industry have been artificially selected for abnormally fast growth which increases their risk of heart-attack and bone breaks.

- Birds are slaughtered while fully conscious. Some farms slaughter onsite by cramming them into individual cones and slitting their throats.

- Small farms ship birds to the same slaughterhouses as large farms. There, the birds are shackled upside down, run through an electric water bath that renders them immobile but fully conscious, and have their throats cut with a mechanical blade.

Chicks are born at hatcheries and shipped through the postal service. Some very small farms may hatch and raise chicks onsite, but this is unusual.

DAIRY FARMS

- Calves are removed from their Mothers soon after birth. Even on small, locally owned dairy farms, calves are often removed at less than 24 hours after birth.

- Male calves are deemed worthless and killed early. Male calves on small and large farms are sent to become veal, sold cheaply at auction for backyard slaughter, or raised for “cheap dairy beef.”

- Cows are sent to slaughter at a fraction of their lifespan. Smaller farms may keep cows longer, but they still send them to an untimely and brutal death.

- Cows on small and larger farms have been bred for high-milk production and suffer from udder infections, reproductive disorders and lameness. Pasture - based dairies have a lower risk of lameness.

- Cows are artificially selected to produce 8 times more milk than nature intended, regardless of size of farm.

- Juvenile cows are artificially inseminated at a young age, far sooner than their bodies can handle. Breeding for high milk output increases the birth weights of calves forcing dangerous pregnancies on new mothers.

TURKEYS

- Chicks are born at hatcheries and shipped through the postal service. Some very small farms may hatch and raise chicks onsite, but this is unusual.

 - Turkeys are slaughtered fully conscious. Some farms slaughter birds by hanging them upside down and slitting their throats. Other farms ship birds to the same slaughterhouses accepting birds from large farms. There, the birds are shackled upside down, run through an electric water bath that renders them immobile but fully conscious, and have their throats cut with a mechanical blade.

- Turkeys are still de-beaked and de-toed on many small and large farms. Even the Global Animal Partnership – standards used by Whole Foods – permits “toenail conditioning” in which microwave radiation is used to damage the toes so that nails cannot grow.

- Turkeys are slaughtered fully conscious. Some farms slaughter birds by hanging them upside down and slitting their throats. Other farms ship birds to the same slaughterhouses accepting birds from large farms. There, the birds are shackled upside down, run through an electric water bath that renders them immobile but fully conscious, and have their throats cut with a mechanical blade.

-  Birds are only a few months old when killed. “Heritage” breeds of turkeys may be slaughtered at 8-months-old, while their large-breasted counterparts are killed at 4 months old. Both are still babies and could live several more years.

ANIMAL PLACE - VEGANISM IS THE ONLY SOLUTION

“Improving the lives of farmed animals is important, but it will not end farmed animal suffering. Giving more space or stopping mutilations does not make the slaughter of an animal more palatable.

"Although Animal Place supports animal welfare improvements because the degree of cruelty on most farms is egregious and the problem enormous, it does not believe that this is the answer to the problems.

"Improving conditions under which nonhumans are raised is not reason enough to justify their slaughter or exploitation. It cannot be justified with labels meant to create a false sense of kindness.”

Image with kind permission from Sue Coe.

[friendlydungeonmanager]

Crown of Candy: A Campaign Setting for 5e

Introduction

The land of Calorum is a world of edible kingdoms, each representing different types of food, embroiled in political intrigue, war, and divine intervention. Inspired by Crown of Candy, this setting blends high-stakes fantasy with absurd and dramatic food-based storytelling.

Core Themes:

Political Intrigue & Betrayal: The noble houses and kingdoms are in constant power struggles, with shifting alliances and dangerous gambits.

Heroic Tragedy & High Drama: Expect battles with devastating consequences, and choices that shape the future of nations.

Food-Based Fantasy: The world and its inhabitants are inspired by different food cultures, leading to creative character designs and locations.

---

Chapter 1: The World of Calorum

Geography & Notable Locations

Calorum is divided into several food-themed regions, each ruled by its own monarchy and traditions.

The Kingdom of Candia (Candy & Sweets)

Capital: Castle Candy

Culture: A kingdom of knights and honor-bound warriors, where chivalry and royal bloodlines reign supreme. The people are made of confections, from chocolate bar soldiers to gumdrop squires.

Notable Locations:

Castle Candy – The royal palace, adorned with sugar-glass spires.

The Jelly Jungles – A vibrant, semi-solid rainforest of bouncing jellies.

Licorice Mines – Treacherous caverns where black licorice veins twist like roots.

The Dairy Islands (Cheese, Milk, and Dairy Products)

Capital: Fondueford

Culture: Seafarers and merchants, the Dairy Islands are a maritime trade hub. Their navy is powerful, with warships of hardened parmesan and cheddar ballistas.

Notable Locations:

The Gorgonzolan Abyss – A deep trench filled with glowing bioluminescent blue cheese creatures.

Butter Bay – A dangerous, slippery coastline where dairy pirates lurk.

The Meat Lands (Meats & Savory Dishes)

Capital: Meatchunk Keep

Culture: A warlike region where might makes right, and feasts celebrate victory. The ruling clans settle disputes in brutal pit fights.

Notable Locations:

Bloodgrill Arena – A colosseum where warriors duel for dominance.

The Sausage Steppes – Rolling plains of linked meats stretching to the horizon.

Vegetania (Vegetables & Fruits)

Capital: Greenhold

Culture: A kingdom of druids and scholars, focused on nature, medicine, and diplomacy.

Notable Locations:

The Avocado Canyons – Treacherous cliffs filled with rolling stone pits.

The Broccotree Grove – A vast forest where elders commune with the gods.

The Grain & Starch Dominions (Bread, Rice, Pasta)

Capital: Crusthaven

Culture: A mix of nomadic traders and industrious bakers, their power comes from controlling food supply routes.

Notable Locations:

The Great Spaghetti Falls – A cascading river of never-ending pasta.

The Sourdough Bastion – A fortified bakery monastery where monks perfect the art of battle bread.

---

Chapter 2: The History of Calorum

Notable Historical Events

The War of Rot and Frost: A catastrophic conflict when an ancient Lich-Lord of Spoiled Food attempted to spread decay across Calorum.

The First Bakers' Rebellion: The revolt of the Grain Kingdom against Candia, demanding freedom from royal tariffs on bread and rice.

The Dairy Purge: When rogue sorcerers attempted to turn the ocean into cheese, nearly destroying the Dairy Islands.

---

Chapter 3: Playable Races of Calorum

Candyfolk (Candians)

Ability Score Increase: +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity

Traits:

Sugar Rush: Once per long rest, you can Dash as a bonus action.

Sticky Resilience: Advantage on saving throws against being grappled or restrained.

Delicious: Beasts and hungry creatures have advantage on bite attacks against you.

Meatfolk (Carnisians)

Ability Score Increase: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution

Traits:

Blood of the Beast: Resistance to poison damage.

Carnivore’s Fury: When below half HP, gain advantage on melee attack rolls.

Dairyfolk (Lactites)

Ability Score Increase: +2 Wisdom, +1 Constitution

Traits:

Chilled Resistance: Resistance to cold damage.

Gooey Form: You can squeeze through spaces as if you were one size smaller.

Vegetablefolk (Verdanians)

Ability Score Increase: +2 Intelligence, +1 Constitution

Traits:

Hardy Stalk: You require half as much food to survive.

Photosynthesis: During a short rest in sunlight, regain an extra 1d8 HP.

Grainfolk (Starchians)

Ability Score Increase: +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence

Traits:

Yeast Surge: Once per long rest, you can grow one size larger for 1 minute.

Crumbly Defense: When hit, roll a d6; on a 6, the attack deals half damage.

---

Chapter 4: The Pantheon of Edible Gods

The Great Oven (God of Creation & Baking) – Worshiped by Grainfolk and pastry priests.

The Butcher Saint (God of War & Meat) – Patron of the Meatfolk warriors.

Mother Milk (Goddess of Comfort & Dairy) – Protects sailors and mothers alike.

The Verdant Hand (Deity of Nature & Growth) – Revered in Vegetania.

---

Chapter 5: Faith of The Bulb

The Faith of The Bulb: The One True Light

The Faith of The Bulb is a theocratic and totalitarian religious order that seeks to unify all of Calorum under a singular, absolute faith. Worshippers of The Bulb believe that it is the first and only divine truth, a celestial force of illumination and sustenance that brings order to a chaotic world. Any competing faiths, traditions, or beliefs are considered heresy—falsehoods that must be purged for the good of all.

The Faith of The Bulb is not just a religion—it is a regime, a political entity, and a militaristic force bent on absolute dominion.

---

Doctrine and Beliefs

The Bulb is the Source of All Nourishment. Just as a plant grows from a seed buried in the dark, The Bulb grants light and truth to those who follow it. To reject The Bulb is to reject life itself.

All Other Gods are Lies. The Butcher Saint, The Great Oven, Mother Milk—these are distortions of the truth, remnants of a chaotic past. The Bulb is the singular, supreme deity.

Heresy is a Rot That Must Be Cut Away. Those who do not submit to The Bulb must be converted or cleansed. There is no middle ground.

The Faithful Shall Be Rewarded with the Eternal Harvest. Devout followers are promised a place in The Luminous Orchard, a paradisiacal afterlife where their spirits bask in The Bulb’s endless warmth and sustenance.

The faith is highly ritualistic and intolerant of deviation, enforcing its doctrines through strict laws, inquisitions, and military might.

---

Hierarchy of The Bulb’s Faithful

1. The Grand Luminary (Supreme Pontiff)

The singular ruler of The Bulb’s faith, the Grand Luminary is considered the living voice of The Bulb. Their word is law, their vision absolute. Only one Grand Luminary exists at a time, chosen through "divine revelation"—though in reality, the succession is often orchestrated through power struggles and assassination.

2. The Council of Illumination

The Grand Luminary is advised by twelve High Shepherds, each overseeing a different region of Calorum. The Shepherds enforce the faith’s will, directing military actions and inquisition efforts.

3. The Inquisition of The Bulb

The militant arm of the faith, the Inquisition is tasked with rooting out heresy at all costs. Its members are known as The Blazing Hands, feared for their brutal tactics. They conduct public purges, interrogations, and forced conversions.

4. The Congregation of the Faithful

Common worshippers must adhere to strict laws of devotion, attending daily sermons and participating in The Offering, a ritual where food is burned in honor of The Bulb. Failure to participate can result in imprisonment or worse.

---

Methods of Control and Suppression

1. The War Against False Faiths

The Bulb actively wages war against other religions. Priests of The Great Oven, druids of The Verdant Hand, and even warrior-cults of The Butcher Saint are hunted down. Their temples are razed, their followers forced into reeducation camps or executed as heretics.

2. The Cleansing of Literature

All historical records that contradict The Bulb’s doctrine are burned or rewritten. Even children's fairy tales are altered to reinforce the faith’s dominance.

3. The Purification of Names

Citizens are forced to abandon surnames tied to old gods. A child once named Bakerus, after the Great Oven, might be renamed Lumon or Radias to honor The Bulb.

4. The Heretic Trials

Public spectacles of punishment, Heretic Trials are designed to instill fear. Those accused of worshipping old gods are subjected to The Trial of Light—exposure to The Bulb’s sacred radiance, which in reality is an agonizing magical brand that sears their flesh. If they do not "confess," they are burned at the stake in a ritual called The Purge of Shadows.

5. The Conversion of Cities

Entire cities are brought to heel through forced conversion ceremonies. Worshippers of other gods are gathered into the central square and given a choice:

Renounce their old gods and swear eternal loyalty to The Bulb.

Face The Luminous Cleansing—public execution by radiant fire.

---

Symbols and Worship

Symbol of The Bulb: A golden onion-shaped bulb, radiating light, often held by a hand of fire.

Sacred Rituals:

The Offering – Food is burned in reverence to The Bulb.

The Morning Illumination – Every citizen must stand outside and face the sun, chanting prayers.

The Luminous Blessing – Converts are anointed with holy oil, which is often mixed with a mild hallucinogen to induce “visions.”

Holidays:

The Day of Sole Light – A day where no other gods can be spoken of, under penalty of death.

The Cleansing Festival – A weeklong purge of known heretics.

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The Resistance Against The Bulb

Not all accept The Bulb’s rule. Underground movements operate in secrecy, seeking to preserve lost knowledge and protect old faiths. Secret monasteries of The Great Oven, hidden camps of Butcher Saint warriors, and rogue druids of The Verdant Hand fight to reclaim Calorum’s religious freedom.

But with The Bulb’s power ever-growing, resistance is costly—and betrayal lurks in every shadow.

[rimaakter45]

Этическое веганство: устойчивое и сострадательное питание

Введение :

Концепция чего-либоЭтическое веганское питание в последние годы привлекла широкое внимание, поскольку люди все больше осознают влияние своего диетического выбора на окружающую среду, благополучие животных и здоровье человека. Этическое веганство выходит за рамки растительной диеты; это образ жизни, направленный на уменьшение вреда для животных и содействие устойчивому развитию. В этой статье предпринимается попытка изучить ключевые принципы этического веганства, его преимущества и то, как оно может служить катализатором позитивных изменений в нашем обществе.

Понимание этического веганства:

Этическое веганство основано на убеждении, что все разумные существа имеют неотъемлемые права и к ним следует относиться с состраданием и уважением. В этом смысле веганство выходит за рамки тарелки и охватывает все аспекты жизни, включая одежду, косметику и другие потребительские товары. Мотивация этического веганства может быть связана с опасениями по поводу воздействия животноводства на окружающую среду или этического обращения с животными в пищевой промышленности.

Многочисленные научные исследования подтвердили, что животноводство является основной причиной вырубки лесов, выбросов парниковых газов и загрязнения воды. Принимая этическое веганство, люди активно способствуют усилиям по борьбе с изменением климата, сохранению биоразнообразия и экосистем.

Преимущества этического веганства:

Преимущества этического веганства выходят за рамки экологических соображений. Хорошо спланированная веганская диета может предложить широк��й спектр преимуществ для здоровья, включая снижение риска ожирения, болезней сердца, диабета и некоторых видов рака. Он также способствует сбалансированному потреблению необходимых питательных веществ, таких как клетчатка, витамины и минералы, которые способствуют общему благополучию.

Более того, этическое веганство выступает за более сострадательное общество за счет минимизации вреда животным. Воздерживаясь от потребления продуктов животного происхождения, люди активно отвергают эксплуатацию животных для еды, одежды или развлечений. Этическое веганство признает животных как разумные существа, способные испытывать боль, радость, страх и любовь, и стремится защитить их интересы, пропагандируя образ жизни, основанный на растениях.

Создание позитивных изменений:

Рост этического веганства вызвал глобальное движение за более устойчивый и сострадательный образ жизни. Многие компании отреагировали на растущий спрос, разработав ряд альтернатив растительного происхождения и продуктов, не тестируемых на животных. Этот сдвиг в потребительских предпочтениях также привел к значительному снижению спроса на продукты животного происхождения, что вынудило отрасль искать более устойчивые и гуманные методы ведения сельского хозяйства.

Более того, этическое веганство служит мощным инструментом пропаганды, поскольку люди вдохновляют своих друзей, семью и более широкое сообщество принять более осознанный подход к еде. Делясь знаниями об экологических и этических последствиях животноводства, этические веганы могут поощрять открытые разговоры и способствовать более устойчивому будущему.

Заключение :

Этическое веганство — это философия, направленная на минимизацию вреда для животных, защиту планеты и содействие более здоровому обществу. Принимая этическое веганство, люди вносят свой вклад в создание более устойчивого и сострадательного мира. Положительное влияние этического веганства выходит за рамки личного здоровья и охватывает благополучие животных, сокращение выбросов парниковых газов, сохранение природных ресурсов и стимулирование изменений в пищевой промышленности. Поскольку все больше людей о��ознают необходимость этического выбора в своих пищевых привычках, этическое веганство продолжает набирать обороты, предлагая надежду на более светлое и устойчивое будущее. Пожалуйста, посетите здесь  Этическое веганское питание  Для дополнительной информации.

[incohearent]

Stop (Saying) Factory Farming article by Hope Bohanec

The Term “Factory Farming” is Not Vegan

Advocates fighting for farmed animals should be proud as we have come a long way in educating the public about the horrors of animal agriculture. Just a couple of decades ago, the only soy milk was in powder form; if you wanted a vegan cookie, you had to bake it yourself; and vegans often ventured into restaurants with trepidation for fear of their sanity– and leave hungry. Now, there are vegan chain restaurants and vegan doughnuts alongside national media stories about caged hens, immobilized sows, and overcrowded cows. The number of animals killed in the U.S. is going down by the hundreds of thousands and the fact that animals suffer to produce meat, dairy and eggs is quickly becoming common knowledge. Vegan is now a household word.

Much of this progress is the result of the strategic denouncement expressed by the powerful term, “Factory Farming.” For decades, animal activists have inscribed the motto “End Factory Farming” into brochures and splattered “Stop Factory Farming” on protest signs with red letters dripping like blood. This incriminating term conjures images of endless rows of animals in barren cages; filthy, windowless warehouses; and animals suffering and dying on manure covered concrete floors —images that are increasingly familiar and available to us via social media.

The ubiquity of these images and conditions associated with “factory farming” has spawned a pervasive condemnation. Everyone, it seems, can rally together and agree that we must stop “factory farming.” But this rallying cry has created an unforeseen consequence, one that animal exploiters are taking full advantage of. Producers who sell the flesh and fluids of animals can simply state that their product is not factory farmed; it’s organic . . . local . . . humane . . . cage-free . . . (insert any number of misleading labels here). Likewise, when consumers hear these offensive two words, they are now thinking, “Oh, but my meat (or dairy or eggs) isn’t factory farmed, I buy it at Whole Foods” (or “it’s organic,” or “it’s free-range,” etc.).

Watch Your Language

I so often hear farmed animal advocates say, “99% of meat, dairy and eggs are factory farmed.” Again, now a consumer will think that their humanely labeled animal products are the 1% that we have told them is acceptable because it is not factory farmed. Do animal rights activists actually believe that 1% of animal agriculture is somehow pampering the animals with comfortable, relaxed, happy lives where there is no separation of families, no painful body mutilations, and no terrifying slaughter? It is simply untrue. ALL animal farming is “factory” farming. As long as animal bodies are commodified, there is exploitation and suffering.

Dangerous Common Ground

The popular reprobation of “factory farming” has inadvertently created a demand for products labeled with euphemistic terms associated with “alternative, small-scale” animal farming. This was not the initial intention of the term. Many groups originally used the term for the purpose of ending all exploitation and killing of farmed animals, as they do today.

But there has been a shift in the last few years, a shift toward “humane” animal farming, and now everyone, it seems, can get behind ending factory farming: the animal rights activist as well as the consumers and producers of meat, dairy and eggs. This is unintended and dangerous common ground whereby the rhetoric of the animal rights movement has been appropriated by our opposition to promote the very products we seek to condemn. Now when we are denouncing animal products with the term Factory Farming, we are ironically repeating the marketing slogans of an increasing sector of the poultry and other animal industries.

“Factory farming” has come to imply that only the conditions the animals are kept in are of importance, and that taking an animal’s life, the slaughter itself, is unproblematic. The marketing experts of the animal farming industry brandish this term to make people believe that as long as it isn’t a “factory” or “industrial” setting, as long as it’s not a mega-size farm, as long as the animal had some kind of minimally “natural” or “comfortable” life, then it’s ok to slaughter the animal for the enjoyment of the “conscientious” consumer.

Many organizations want to “end factory farming”, but still promote the killing of young animals for human consumption. These organizations support smaller farms with supposedly better conditions, but as I reveal in my book The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat, no label tells the whole story and “alternative” farming can be just as bad and in fact, no different from so-called factory farming for the animals and the environment.

Not Vegan

The term Factory Farming no longer implies a vegan message. It no longer necessarily suggests a desire to stop the exploitation and killing of farmed animals, and those who work towards this important goal must abandon the term, or we risk inadvertently repeating what has become a marketing slogan of our opposition. Instead, we should be more specific and use the term Animal Agriculture. This encompasses all animal farming. We must be careful to speak in ways that express the truths that all farming of animals is exploitive, all farming of animals is abusive, and there can never be a humane way to breed, confine, and kill animals for their flesh, milk, and eggs. Let’s shift our language, and the consciousness around this issue, and push beyond “humane” exploitation. It’s time to retire the term Factory Farming.

What do we want? To Stop Animal Farming! When do we want it? Now!

original article

[master-john-uk]

Farming is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. A farm worker is 20 times more likely to have a fatal injury at work than all other employment sectors combined.

Regardless of the type of work they do, nearly everybody is probably guilty of taking shortcuts and ignoring health & safety advice at times... I know I have in the past!

For the first ten years after I purchased the mainly arable farm it was largely run by Farmer Frank, and just two full-time farmhands... with extra help hired during the busy harvest season.

It has become increasingly difficult to recruit seasonal staff. After I bought the neighbouring dairy farm in 2018, we had a lot of formerly unused land to utilise for crop production... and my farm grew into a much bigger agricultural operation. We had to increase the number of full-time farmhands.

We now work closely with several universities and colleges, and the majority of our staff are either apprentices, recent graduates, or gap-year students. With so many younger farmhands, it is important that we rigidly abide by health & safety rules, and guidance.

Even I have to follow the rules! Although I do not do as much work on the farm as I used to, I have to set a good example when I am there.