Climate and the Environment

The agricultural industry has created a two-tiered pollution system, where California’s cattle feedlots can cause premature deaths through air pollution without facing the same environmental oversight that applies to every other major polluting industry.

The factory farm gas industry—backed by major meat and dairy corporations—continues to thrive not because of market demand or climate benefits, but because of government-sponsored greenwashing. What was once sold as a climate solution is increasingly exposed as a thinly veiled subsidy to prop up industrial animal agriculture. And the latest boost comes courtesy of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill.

New pushes for manure biogas, also known as Factory Farm Gas, risk cementing factory farming’s worst practices.

During the last decade, regenerative agriculture has received a lot of attention as a form of farming that promises environmental benefits compared to industrial farming systems. While regenerative agriculture can improve soil quality and soil microbiome, it is far from being a silver bullet for climate change—and has its own drawbacks.

A bill has been introduced in the Michigan legislature that would enrich factory farms. Numerous environmental groups, among many others, oppose it.

A coalition of environmental and animal protection groups gathered in Lansing to oppose a bill in Michigan that would enrich factory farming and fossil fuel interests.

Much has happened in the week since Farm Forward’s groundbreaking investigation into Alexandre Family Farms.

Our investigation of fraud, deception, and animal welfare abuses at Alexandre Family Farm (Alexandre) revealed that Alexandre’s national reputation for high animal welfare is largely a mirage. It is highly likely that milk sold across the country—including in products like toddler formula and ice cream—came from abused, neglected, and mistreated cows who were allowed to linger in their suffering.

In anticipation of the 2024 Farm Bill, we are proud to play a part in introducing new federal legislation that would leverage billions of dollars of food spending by USDA to help build a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system.

In the Vatican Gardens after a private audience with the Pope, author of “Eating Animals” and Farm Forward founding board member, Jonathan Safran Foer, gave a keynote address in response to Pope Francis’s new Apostolic Exhortation, Laudaute Deum.

Forests play an important role in maintaining a healthy global environment. They influence the weather and even the acidity of the oceans, affecting ecosystems thousands of miles beyond their borders. Unfortunately, forests are being destroyed by human activity as they are cleared to make way for grazing animals and their feed, as well as for other agricultural and industrial purposes.

Although pigs are recognized as one of the most intelligent species, most pigs are housed by the thousands in crowded conditions with very little to stimulate them mentally.

Changing farming takes working with and learning from farmers directly. Internationalizing the fight beyond US borders ensures all farmers everywhere are heard and retain the right to farm according to their values.

United Nations scientists warn that a climate catastrophe is coming, and a leaked UN document urges a shift to plant-based proteins as a strategy to stave off the most dire scenarios.  

Oregon Senate sees the need to course correct its dairy industry, but the misconceived “methane digester” tax credit may have them heading in the wrong direction.

We write to you from the year 2050 to let you know that humanity is thriving on a rejuvenated planet.

Farm Forward and a coalition of public interest groups filed a legal petition with the Oregon Water Resources Commission requesting it restrict new mega dairy’s use of groundwater in areas in eastern Oregon where special protections are needed.

Today, 20 national, local and state based animal welfare, family farm, environmental, and food safety groups, submitted a letter to Governor Brown urging her to enact an immediate mega-dairy moratorium to protect Oregon’s climate, air, water, animals and family farms.

The New York Times published an opinion written by Farm Forward’s Executive Director Andrew deCoriolis in response to the Times’ interactive article Climate Change, Answered: How to shop, cook and eat in a warming world.

Farm Forward joined a coalition of environmental, farming, and consumer groups in opposing a proposed permit from Threemile Canyon Farms mega-dairy.

This week the Stand Up to Factory Farms coalition, a broad coalition of family farming, environmental, food safety, and animal welfare organizations, released a letter calling on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to include mega-dairy emissions control in their new rule making plan.

Farm Forward joined The Center for Biological Diversity, Brighter Green and 12 other organizations to release a policy brief calling on organizers and attendees of the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change conference COP25 to take immediate action to reduce planet-warming emissions from food and agriculture.

A shift in how we understand food’s role in climate change is taking place and we’re proud to be part of the movement that is helping the world adapt to this shift. 

Over the past few years, more and more institutions have made the connection: our food choices impact our health, the environment, and the lives of animals, and are interwoven into many other social justice issues.

We support the lawsuit that consumers have brought against the Tillamook County Creamery Association regarding Tillamook’s representations regarding the company’s dairy products.

As I strolled along the park’s concrete path, I glanced over to find—gliding alongside me—an orca, a chinook salmon, monarch butterflies, and planet Earth itself.

Pope Francis was challenged by 12-year-old Genesis Butler to try eating a plant-based diet for Lent, with a promise of a million dollar donation to a charity of his choice should he say yes.

An interview with industry insiders exposing the dangers of the ineffective CAFO management on the floodplains of North Carolina. See images..

Global conference to address climate crises chose a meat-heavy menu equivalent of burning more than 500,000 gallons of gasoline. Learn more.

The incredibly effective and simple idea that will lower your food costs, strengthen your health, and be better for the planet. Learn more.

Large factory farm and polluter conducting illegal activities making citizens sick continues business as usual. Learn more.

Factory farming isn’t just bad for animals, humans, and the planet, but also for investments! See what FAIRR is saying about the risks here.

Factory farming wreaks havoc on the animals being farmed, the workers processing them, the air we breath and earth we live on. Let’s change.

Want to know one of the greatest barriers to promoting better animal welfare and greater sustainability in farming? Learn more here.