This category investigates the human dimension of animal exploitation—how we as individuals and societies justify, sustain, or resist systems of cruelty. From cultural traditions and economic dependencies to public health and spiritual beliefs, our relationships with animals reflect the values we hold and the power structures we inhabit. The “Humans” section explores these connections, revealing how deeply intertwined our own well-being is with the lives we dominate.
We examine how meat-heavy diets, industrial farming, and global supply chains harm human nutrition, mental health, and local economies. Public health crises, food insecurity, and environmental collapse are not isolated events—they are symptoms of an unsustainable system that prioritizes profit over people and planet. At the same time, this category highlights hope and transformation: vegan families, athletes, communities, and activists who are reimagining the human-animal relationship and building more resilient, compassionate ways of living.
By confronting the ethical, cultural, and practical implications of animal use, we also face ourselves. What kind of society do we want to be part of? How do our choices reflect or betray our values? The path toward justice—for animals and for humans—is the same. Through awareness, empathy, and action, we can begin to repair the disconnection that fuels so much suffering, and move toward a more just and sustainable future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the devastating consequences of zoonotic diseases, which are illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. With the ongoing global health crisis, the question arises: could factory farming practices be contributing to the emergence of zoonotic diseases? Factory farming, also known as industrial agriculture, is a system of large-scale production that prioritizes efficiency and profit over animal welfare and environmental sustainability. This method of food production has become the primary source of meat, dairy, and eggs for the world's growing population. However, as the demand for cheap and abundant animal products increases, so does the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. In this article, we will delve into the connection between factory farming and zoonotic diseases, exploring the potential for a pandemic to arise from the current industrial farming practices. We will analyze the key factors that make factory farming a breeding ground for zoonotic …