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Published: Monday, 22 September 2014 21:59

Written by Jessica Bridgers

On September 21, 2014, the historic People's Climate March brought some 400,000 people to the streets (with numerous marches in solidarity around the world) and WAN is proud to have been among them. Marchers aimed to show the United Nations that climate matters and to encourage the organization to take strong action on climate change at the 2014 Climate Summit, attended by heads of state. 

WAN looked to inform both viewers and march participants about the impact animal agriculture has on climate change, and the fact that reducing meat consumption is one of the easiest and most effective ways to combat climate change and improve the health of our environment. WAN leafleted and also brought a large inflatable cow emblazoned with the words "I am full of greenhouse gas, do you have steak in it?" which became a focal point of the dietary change march contingent. 

In WAN's words:

Climate change cannot truly be mitigated without addressing the leading underlying cause.

We know from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that the livestock sector, which produces meat and dairy products for our consumption, is responsible for more greenhouse gasses than the fuel from all forms of transportation combined. 

We know from the Environmental Working Group that eating one burger has the same impact as driving 320 miles in a car.

We've already been warned by the United Nations Environment Program that the only way to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is to shift away from animal products in our diets.

This call to action is one of the easiest things we can do to counter climate change, alleviate the suffering of animals and protect people, and the planet. 

For more information about how meat consumption damages the climate, visit: 

Growing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Due to Meat Production - UNEP

Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret

Take Extinction Off Your Plate

A Well-Fed World

Meatless Monday Pledge

The Summit that Snoozed? Climate-related disasters over five years have cost almost half a trillion dollars | Oxfam International

World Animal Net congratulates the United Nations Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Agenda for acknowledging the importance of the protection of terrestrial ecosystems in its recently proposed list of sustainable development goals. WAN has been actively engaged in advocating for the protection of all animals at the UN as a vital component of a truly sustainable world. See the full set of proposed goal here.

Also, please take a moment to view World Animal Net's briefings related to the goals:

Ensuring Peaceful and Sustainable Societies

Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Call to Action

Animal Welfare and Biodiversity: The Vital Link

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Published: Monday, 25 August 2014 20:55

Written by Akisha Townsend

The field of animal law and legislation is rapidly expanding as countries around the globe prioritize the well-being of animals. But where does one go for information on existing laws and recent legal developments? World Animal Net has surveyed the field and come up with our top three picks.

Animal Legal and Historical Center

A project of Michigan State University, the site includes a web library of animal-related legal and policy materials. A favorite go to for U.S. researchers for comprehensive and up to date information, this site now has an international collection.

What we like: The topics tab. From animal fighting to zoos, researchers can search dozens of topics and filter them further by country. Or simply enter the country to find the entirety of legal and policy documents available on the site.

International Institute for Animal Law

Established to “encourage, at the international level, the development of legal scholarship and advocacy skills on behalf of animals” this nonprofit institution has developed AnimalLaw.com to assist attorneys, law students, and other animal advocates in their research. From case law and legislative search databases to issue-specific law templates, researchers have a number of tools at their disposal.

What we like: Take Action Thursday. For those wishing to make a more direct change for animals the International Institute for Animal Law, through AnimalLaw.com issues regular postings for how animal advocates can actively engage in specific issues.

Global Animal Law Project

Started just this summer, the Global Animal Law Project offers an innovative new concept in animal law, in which visitors can browse a vast database of animal protection laws throughout the world.

What we like: The interactivity. The Global Animal Law Project invites everyone with an interest in making visionary proposals on behalf of animals. All animal attorneys, law students and professors are invited to become part of a Global Animal Law Expert Group.

Have any favorites that we missed? Let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Stay tuned for World Animal Net's own model Animal Welfare Act, to be released soon for anybody interested in developing strong animal welfare legislation. If you'd like to receive a copy once finalized please let us know by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo credit: "Chicken" by StevenW., used under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Featured Event: First Joint US/China Animal Law Forum

On June 5, the first joint US/China Animal Law forum was hosted at the University of Houston- Downtown (UHD), in partnership with the Northwest China University of Politics and Law and the South Texas College of Law. The one-day event was dedicated “to raising awareness about animal cruelty and the need for more stringent legislation to curb inhumane animal treatment in both the U.S. and China.” The forum succeeded in bringing together experts from the two countries (both which happen to be the world’s largest industrialized farming nations), with backgrounds in the areas of animal protection law, legislation, and enforcement. Specific topics of discussion on the agenda included animal laws in China and the U.S., animals used in research, agricultural animal production, and the private practice of animal law, among others. The speakers included a number of animal law scholars, attorneys, and administrators.

Additional Resources on animal law and policy in China and the US

Interested in learning more about the current legal landscape pertaining to animal protection in China and the United States? Here are two helpful resources:

In 2011, World Animal Net sponsored the publication of Changing China: Country Status Report Within the Political and Social Context, published by Act Asia as a part of its efforts to promote animal protection legislation in China. 

The Animal Legal & Historical Center maintains a vast database of including thousands of primary and secondary legal materials, including cases, laws, administrative regulations, municipal codes and scholarly articles. Navigate materials for the U.S. and China using the Animal Legal & Historical Center search tools.

Want to attend or learn about similar events in the future? Keep up to date by visiting World Animal Net’s calendar.