Our film, Cowspiracy, inspired so many people to see how destructive the livestock industry is for the planet and our health. Each person who switches to a vegan diet saves 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 sq ft of forested land, and 20 lbs CO2 equivalent per day! Please sign our petition asking the White House to lead by example and go vegan for Earth Day.

On April 4, the White House said, “Already, under President Obama’s leadership, the United States has done more to combat climate change and protect the health of communities than ever before.”

This leadership is sincerely appreciated, but we cannot ignore the problems caused by the livestock industry so we’re asking President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to make the White House vegan on April 22, Earth Day. The serious problems facing the world today require action from the industry, but activists, consumers, and other influencers can set a positive example for healthier, sustainable communities by what we eat every day.

Here are seven reasons it makes sense for the White House to go vegan for Earth Day:

1. Climate change - Animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gases than all transportation put together (cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats).

2. Rainforest destruction - Animal agriculture is the leading cause of rainforest destruction. It’s responsible for up to 91% of Brazilian Amazon destruction, for example.

3. Water consumption - 55% of water consumption in the US goes to raising animals for food. 1 hamburger uses the water equivalent of 2 months worth of showers, 477 gallons of water are needed for 1 pound of eggs, and 1,000 gallons of water are used to produce 1 gallon of milk.

4. Water pollution – The leading cause of all fresh water pollution is the animal agriculture industry. It’s also the leading cause of ocean dead zones and Great Barrier Reef die-off.

5. Wildlife protection – What’s the leading cause of species extinction, habitat destruction, and wildlife culling? Yes, it’s the livestock industry. For instance, 2.7 million wild animals were killed in 2014 by the United States Department of Agriculture. The majority were to protect the livestock industry, and the killings including 580 black bears, 305 cougars, 322 wolves, 796 bobcats, 2,932 foxes, 61,702 coyotes.

6. World Hunger- Livestock consumes up to 50% of all grains. This is simply a tragic and inefficient waste of food.

7. Efficient Land Use - 45% of the entire earth's ice free land goes to animal agriculture.

And we won't even get into heart disease and cancer rates on the rise, food safety concerns, worker abuse, or exploitation of local communities by large factory farms.

The White House says: “As the climate continues to change, the risks to human health will grow, exacerbating existing health threats and creating new public health challenges, and impacting more people in more places. From children to the elderly, every American is vulnerable to the health impacts associated with climate change, now and in the future.”

With so much at stake, we cannot be afraid to speak the truth no matter how many animal agriculture lobbyists are knocking at the door of the White House and Congress.

With this simple, symbolic step, the President and First Lady can demonstrate how a vegan diet is one important part of getting America’s environmental priorities on track for a sustainable future.

Please check out the facts, watch our film on Netflix, and sign this petition.



Thank you to the White House for considering our request.



Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn

Filmmakers

Cowspiracy