Commentary: Heat domes -- cooking animals is cooking us all
Published in Op Eds
As temperatures soar into the triple digits and roads buckle beneath our tires, the United States finds itself locked under a suffocating heat dome. But this isn’t just another scorching summer. It’s a consequence. So, please, let’s go vegan.
Animal agriculture is disastrously unsustainable. Methane from cows, deforestation and water-intensive animal agriculture is accelerating the climate catastrophe. Yet folks keep gnawing on flesh and stealing eggs and milk, even though raising animals for food is responsible for 60% of food-related greenhouse gas emissions but only supplies less than 20% of our calories.
So every time we throw heart-clogging burgers on the grill, we’re not just cooking a dead animal who wanted to live—we’re cooking ourselves. And while many of us can crank the A/C, billions of animals raised for food are trapped in overcrowded warehouses. During a 2022 heat wave, thousands of cows collapsed and died in the fields.
The heat adds to the suffering and danger that animals raised for food already experience. Cooling methods often fail during heat waves: Misting becomes ineffective in humid air, and fans merely circulate hot air when outside temperatures are too high. And many factory farms lack basic fire safety measures like sprinklers, as the profit-driven industry has resisted reforms that could mitigate these risks. Transporting animals to slaughter during high temperatures further compromises their well-being, as congested conditions and long journeys can lead to fatal heat stress.
Shifting toward vegan food makes the most sense, any way you look at it. Research shows that extreme heat leads to a decrease in eggs and milk. A new study published in Science Advances found that extreme heat slashes milk production by up to 10%, with the effects lingering for over a week. The researchers concluded that even the best adaptation technologies are not enough. In other words, you can’t air-condition your way out of climate collapse.
As temperatures rise, animals in nature may suffer from dehydration and heat stress, particularly in areas where natural water sources dry up. Habitat degradation caused by extreme heat can reduce food availability and force animals to migrate or alter their behavior—such as entering urban areas in search of relief.
Companion animals, such as dogs and cats, also face serious risks during heat waves. Without proper care, they can quickly develop heatstroke—especially breeds with thick coats or flat faces who struggle to regulate body temperature. Hot pavement can burn their paws, and even a few minutes in a parked car can be fatal.
If we keep raising and killing animals for food, all of us will be cooked. So let’s ditch meat, eggs, and dairy.
A global shift toward vegan foods could slash food-related emissions by up to 70%, free up 75% of agricultural land for rewilding and carbon capture and spare billions of animals unimaginable suffering. Think about it: Hospitals, schools and cafeterias could make healthy vegan options the default. Policies could support farmers transitioning to plant-powered agriculture, and if we cook with compassion in our own homes, we could end animal agriculture and its climate feedback loop from hell.
The connection between animal suffering and environmental devastation is undeniable, and we must choose compassion to address both. The solution begins on our plates.
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Rebecca Libauskas is a staff writer with the PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; www.PETA.org.
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