Billie Eilish denounces «cruel» animal farming
Singer Billie Eilish urged her fans in an interview to reconsider their eating habits.
Billie Eilish has denounced the «terrible» animal farming industry in a new interview about the climate crisis.
The 21-year-old vegan singer spoke with broadcaster Berla Mundi backstage at the recent Power our Planet event in Paris, France. The event, organised by the international organisation Global Citizen, took place last month. There, numerous artists, activists and leading figures gathered for a «night of music and activism». Eilish was one of the performers.
When Mundi asked her for her «one special message on climate change», Eilish spoke about the connection between the consumption of animal products and environmental destruction. «The most important thing you can do is change what’s on your plate and what you eat,» she said. «Trying to end animal farming and eating more plant-based is very, very important.»
She added: «You have no idea how terrible this is for the environment, for the world and for the animals. It’s really bad.» Mundi responded that her argument was a «very good» one. She added that avoiding animal products also brings health benefits. Eilish agreed, saying: «Yes, 100 percent.»
Billie Eilish and veganism
It is not the first time Eilish has advocated for a plant-based lifestyle. The singer became vegan at the age of 12 after learning about the reality of animal farming. Since then, she has regularly discussed her decision with her fans.
In 2022, she spoke about her diet in an Instagram clip. «I grew up vegetarian and decided at 12 to stop eating any animal products,» she said. «When I found out how animals are treated in our industrial food system, I wanted nothing more to do with it.»
Eilish chose a vegan diet for ethical reasons, but later learned about the environmental impact of consuming animal products. In the same clip, she said that the climate crisis is a “massive threat” and that shifting one’s diet toward more plant-based foods could have a “big impact.”
Animal farming comes with significant environmental costs
Eilish is right: animal farming is an enormous burden on the environment. It is responsible for at least 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (though some estimates put the figure considerably higher). It is also one of the leading causes of deforestation, as large swathes of the Amazon are cleared to make way for livestock operations. Deforested areas in the Amazon are also used to grow soy, which is fed to factory-farmed animals in other countries.
Animal farming has been identified as a “primary driver” of biodiversity loss. That loss is considered one of the greatest environmental challenges we face. The United Nations has already stated that the world should transition to a “plant-based” diet in order to address it.
| You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose kindness on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan. |
