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The Ecologist is helping people save the planet, like sharpish.

08/04/2025

From COVID-19 to the current outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, we’ve seen how industrial animal agriculture drives the emergence of deadly diseases. Packed feedlots, genetically uniform livestock, stressed immune systems, and long-distance live transport create the perfect storm for viruses to jump to humans.

In the latest article from The Ecologist, global policy advisor Esme Wheeler exposes how governments are ignoring the science—and the suffering—while protecting the economic interests of a trillion-dollar industry.

Chickens and cows aren’t just victims of factory farms—they’re now vectors for the next pandemic.

✍️ Read it now in The Ecologist> https://theecologist.org/2025/apr/08/factory-farming-and-next-global-pandemic

Animal Justice Project Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys Animal Rising Animal Aid

12/03/2025

KFC Promised to End ‘Frankenchickens’—So Why Hasn’t It? 🐥⚖️

Animal protection charity The Humane League UK staged protests at 11 KFC restaurants across the UK, urging the company to take action on its 2019 pledge to improve chicken welfare. Campaigners say KFC has yet to commit to phasing out Frankenchickens—fast-growing breeds linked to health issues.

Campaigners, backed by thousands of emails from the public, are demanding that KFC honor its commitment to the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), a policy already adopted by major food companies like Greggs, Waitrose & Partners, Burger King, and Marks and Spencer.

With demonstrations escalating and the possibility of private prosecutions, will KFC finally listen?

🔗 Read more to uncover the full story behind the protests> https://theecologist.org/2025/mar/11/animal-rights-activists-flock-kfc-protests

27/02/2025

Imagine a future where AI-driven ‘cyborgs’ become the Earth’s guardians.

This is the bold vision proposed by Gaia theorist James Lovelock in Novacene—a world where superintelligent machines help restore the delicate balance of our living planet.

But as The Ecologist's Professor Herbert Girardet explores, reality paints a more complicated picture. While AI's potential as an eco-ally is vast, its current hunger for data and energy risks deepening the climate crisis instead of solving it.

Can AI evolve from resource-hungry tech to a true steward of nature? Or is Lovelock’s dream more science fiction than science fact?

📸 Image published by Hip Hop Canada which was created using dreamstudio.ai using the prompt: 'American Civil War observed by Donald Trump' with Anime design style

Read the full story 👉 https://theecologist.org/2025/feb/27/gaia-cyborgs-and-memory-industry

06/02/2025

16 Just Stop Oil activists are appealing 41 years of jail time for peaceful protest. The Court of Appeal's decision could set a critical legal precedent on the right to protest. 🌍

Among them, Roger Hallam, co-founder of Just Stop Oil and The Ecologist contributor, is appealing his five-year sentence—for a Zoom call discussing nonviolent action.

Supporters, including Chris Packham, Caroline Lucas, Mark Thomas, and Billy Bragg, are rallying outside the Royal Courts of Justice, while solidarity actions spread worldwide.

Friends of the Earth & Greenpeace UK warn that these sentences threaten democracy and human rights. The United Nations has called the UK’s crackdown on peaceful protest "unacceptable in a democracy."

📢 Read the full article: https://theecologist.org/2025/jan/29/harsh-peaceful-protest-sentences-appealed

📷: Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, Cressida Gethin, Louise Lancaster, Daniel Shaw and Roger Hallam from Just Stop Oil. Plan B Media / PA Wire

Resurgence

23/01/2025

"‘If I am going to carry on writing for The Ecologist, I need at least 100 of you to commit several hours to running a mini-assembly.’

In his latest article for The Ecologist, Roger Hallam delivers a bold ultimatum: if he’s to continue writing, at least 100 readers must commit to organising a mini-assembly—a space to discuss, bridge the gap between thinking and acting, and contribute to a global assembly process.

Read the full article on The Ecologist> https://theecologist.org/2025/jan/14/hallam-use-me-or-lose-me

Extinction Rebellion Just Stop Oil

08/01/2025

Environmental activists are leading the charge to leave X (formerly Twitter), citing hate speech, misinformation, and a decline in meaningful engagement under Elon Musk’s leadership.

The eXit movement, launched by Germany’s Climate Alliance, is gaining momentum, with organizations like BioLand and Urgewald prioritizing respectful discourse on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

Prominent figures like George Monbiot and organisations including Greenpeace UK, WWF UK, and Extinction Rebellion are moving to alternatives.

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe is leveraging Bluesky’s tools to foster robust climate science communities, now reaching more people than ever.

🌍💬 Is this the future of environmental activism on social media?

📖 Read the full story — https://theecologist.org/2025/jan/07/its-time-exit

16/12/2024

🐔 Victory for Billions of Birds: Court Ruling Challenges ‘Frankenchickens’

In a landmark case, the Court of Appeal has ruled that farming animals bred to suffer due to their genetics is unlawful—a decision that could change the lives of billions of chickens across the UK.

Fast-growing “Frankenchickens,” bred to grow at unnatural speeds, make up 95% of chickens sold in UK supermarkets. Their rapid growth leads to devastating health issues—struggling to stand, heart defects, painful lesions, and even sudden death.

After years of legal battles, The The Humane League UK, with support from the RSPCA (England & Wales), brought scientific evidence to court to expose this inhumane practice.

Though the appeal was dismissed on technical grounds, the court clarified that farming animals whose genes cause suffering likely violates UK law.

💬 Sean Gifford of The Humane League UK:
“Over a billion thinking, feeling chickens endure lives of misery because of fast-growing breeds. This ruling exposes the government’s failure to address one of the biggest animal welfare crises of our time. Now, they must work with farmers to end the use of these harmful breeds.”

💬 Emma Slawinski, RSPCA (England & Wales):
“This is a vital step forward. The court agrees it is illegal to farm animals bred to suffer, and it’s time for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to act. These sentient creatures deserve better.”

💬 Ayrton Cooper of Animal Justice Project:
“This is a critical step, but we must not stop here. True change requires shifting to a plant-based food system that values compassion over cruelty.”

📖 Read more on The Ecologist: https://theecologist.org/2024/dec/13/frankenchickens-judgement-seismic-billions-birds

11/12/2024

A harrowing undercover investigation by Animal Justice Project has revealed systemic cruelty at a Norfolk boar stud farm.

Disturbing footage captures boars collapsing, enduring physical abuse with paddles and pipes, and suffering neglect in unsanitary, cramped conditions.

Boars were struck over 300 times, subjected to verbal abuse, and left untreated despite visible injuries.

These animals were confined for years with no enrichment, pacing aimlessly in frustration.

The semen from this facility is distributed by Hermitage AI to farms supplying major retailers, including Tesco.

The findings also expose the failings of welfare schemes like Red Tractor and highlight gaps in inspections, with only 2.62% of UK farms reviewed annually.

Experts like Dr. Alice Brough have condemned these practices, while campaigners, including Claire Palmer, are calling for prosecutions and meaningful reforms.

📢 “Farmed animals are sentient beings, not commodities. Even without abuse, they endure years of confinement and invasive practices,” says Palmer.

🔗 Read the full story> https://theecologist.org/2024/dec/05/boar-mistreatment-revealed

Animal Rising Animal Aid World Animal Protection

02/12/2024

What if public transport was free, accessible, and designed to serve everyone, not just those who can afford it? 🚍

In a powerful campaign led by artist and activist Ellie Harrison, Glasgow is setting an inspiring example of how free public transport can transform cities, enhance well-being, and tackle the climate crisis. 🌱🌍

Ellie’s journey began with the Bring Back British Rail campaign in 2009 and evolved into Get Glasgow Moving in 2016, pushing for a fully integrated public transport network.

The launch of Free Our City in 2020, a coalition of trade unions, environmentalists, students, and community groups gained momentum during COP26, with free transport passes for delegates sparking a critical question: If it’s possible for them, why not for Glaswegians?

This outrage galvanised support, leading to:
🔸The Scottish Green Party in coalition with Scottish National Party (SNP) delivering free bus passes for under-22s in 2022.
🔸 A pilot study for free public transport commissioned in Glasgow.
🔸 Inspiring other movements like Fare Free London.

But the fight isn’t over. As Ellie highlights, taking buses back into public control is crucial to making free transport financially and practically feasible.

🔗Read the full story in The Ecologist> https://theecologist.org/2024/dec/02/free-public-transport-puts-glasgow-track

📸: Michal Rozworski

Resurgence DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) Sadiq Khan Better Buses for Strathclyde Transport for London Glasgow Workers Union Chat

29/11/2024

We are living in deeply challenging times, marked by conflict, crises and collapse. What is the role of hope in these times? 🌍

Whatever actions we take have no guarantee attached but we can all make a start, we can all take some action towards more regenerative and compassionate ways of living.

Join Satish Kumar, Georgie Gilmore and Flo Scialom at the upcoming online event, Hope in Action: Living in Times of Emergency and Emergence, on December 3rd at 7.30pm GMT.

🔗Book your space> https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theresurgencecentre/1403732/r/fb

Satish Kumar Foundation Resurgence Flo Scialom Georgie Gilmore

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