Billie Eilish and Joaquin Phoenix Among 18 Celebs Urging COP26 to Tackle Animal Agriculture’s Role in Climate Crisis
Despite being one of the largest contributors to climate change, animal agriculture is not on the COP26 agenda as a priority in climate change mitigation discussions. These celebrities are hoping to change that.
Some of the world’s biggest celebrity advocates for plant-based diets are calling on the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), known as COP26, to “formally and publicly recognize the role of animal agriculture as one of the largest contributors to climate change”.
Moby, Billie Eilish, and Joaquin Phoenix are among the eighteen famous names who have signed the open letter published by global animal protection charity, Humane Society International.
“With animal agriculture being such a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, it is impossible to meet goals set out in the Paris Agreement without making changes to our global food system,” reads the letter.
“Even if all other major sources of emissions were reformed, we will still fall short…
“Addressing these urgent areas in the UNFCCC COP26 meeting would help propel governments around the world to take action and would provide world leaders with another high impact option to add to their toolbox for tackling climate change.
“We call on the UNFCCC to formally and publicly recognise the role of animal agriculture as one of the largest contributors of climate change and to open a greater space for dialogue.”
Specifically, the letter is calling for three topics to be addressed formally at COP26:
Shifting subsidies and financial incentives from livestock production to more sustainable plant-based agriculture, thus supporting a just transition in the agriculture sector;
Incentivising investment in the development of alternatives to animal agriculture and creating a supportive regulatory environment for innovation within the protein landscape;
Amending government procurement priorities to encourage and demonstrate lower GHG pathways within the public sector.
Globally, more than 88 billion animals are raised and slaughtered for food every year. Intensive animal farming is responsible for an estimated 14.5%—16.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions globally, on par with emissions levels of the entire transport sector. Despite being one of the largest contributors to climate change, animal agriculture is not on the COP26 agenda as a priority in climate change mitigation discussions.
Studies show that reducing meat and dairy production and consumption is one of the most effective actions we can take to avoid catastrophic climate change.
“The science is clear and overwhelming that adopting a more plant-based diet is one of the most impactful actions we can take to avert catastrophic climate change,” said Moby. “So if we want to protect our planet, we must include intensive animal agriculture in climate change mitigation strategies. COP26 is one of our last vital chances to reform our global food systems.”
Other celebrities signing the letter are: Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, singer-songwriter Alesha Dixon, naturalist Chris Packham, actress Alicia Silverstone, singer Leona Lewis, entrepreneur and Dragons Den investor Deborah Meaden, actress Evanna Lynch, model Lily Cole, songwriter and record producer Finneas O'Connell, the Vamps’ vocalist and guitarist James McVey, actress Joanna Lumley OBE, actor Stephen Fry, comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, and compassionate lifestyle influencer Lucy Watson.
“Intensive animal farming is unsustainable, and that transforming our global food systems to more plant-based diets is one of the most effective climate-mitigation measures we can take,” said Humane Society International’s vice president for farm animal welfare, Julie Janovsky. “COP26 offers a vital opportunity for world leaders to make meaningful commitments to tackle climate change, restore biodiversity and help end the cruelty caused by factory farms.”
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The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.