Environment

"Weathercocks and Signposts" critically reassesses current approaches to motivating environmentally-friendly behaviour change. Current behaviour-change strategies are increasingly built upon analogy with product marketing campaigns. They often take as given the "sovereignty" of consumer choice, and the perceived need to preserve current lifestyles intact. This report constructs a case for a radically different approach. It presents evidence that any adequate strategy for tackling environmental challenges will demand engagement with the values that underlie the decisions we make – and, indeed, with our sense of who we are. [Excerpted from report]

This report summarizes results from Wave 1 of the Humane Research Council's "Animal Tracker" survey of U.S. adults regarding their attitudes and behavior toward animals. This inaugural survey of 16 core questions shows strong support for the protection of all animals. The strength of that support varies by situation and species, however, and actual behavior does not always reflect the favorable attitudes identified.

More than one million Taiwanese people, including some political figures, have pledged to reduce carbon emissions by becoming vegetarian. This would reduce at least 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions in Taiwan during the course of one year.

Worldwide, an estimated 2 billion people live primarily on a meat-based diet, while an estimated 4 billion live primarily on a plant-based diet. The US food production system uses about 50% of the total US land area, 80% of the fresh water, and 17% of the fossil energy used in the country... The meat-based food system requires more energy, land, and water resources than the lactoovovegetarian diet. In this limited sense, the lactoovovegetarian diet is more sustainable than the average American meat-based diet. [Abstract excerpted from article]

This detailed research study examines the illegal wildlife trade, estimated to be between $5-$20 billion per annum. The illegal trade presents several potential threats to the environment (loss of biodiversity, introduction of invasive species, transmission of disease) and national security (links between wildlife trafficking and organized crime and drug trafficking) to the United States.

The farm animal sector is the single largest anthropogenic user of land, contributing to many environmental problems, including global warming and climate change. The aim of this study was to synthesize and expand upon existing data on the contribution of farm animal production to climate change.

According to this Pew Commission report, Industrial Farm Animal Production (IFAP), also known by many as "factory farming," takes an enormous toll on human health and the environment as it undermines rural America's economic stability and fails to provide humane treatment for animals raised for food.

This study focuses on consumers' expectations for American companies and how their perceptions can influence purchasing, employment, and investment decisions. The results show that corporate responsibility has a significant impact on consumer purchase decisions, as well as employee loyalty.