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.
For far too long, the myth that fish are incapable of feeling pain has justified widespread cruelty in fishing and aquaculture. However, mounting scientific evidence reveals a starkly different reality: fish possess the neurological structures and behavioral responses necessary for experiencing pain, fear, and distress. From commercial fishing practices that inflict prolonged suffering to overcrowded aquaculture systems rife with stress and disease, billions of fish endure unimaginable harm each year. This article dives into the science behind fish sentience, exposes the ethical failings of these industries, and challenges us to rethink our relationship with aquatic life—urging compassionate choices that prioritize animal welfare over exploitation