Did you know that the food on your plate can make a difference in the survival of wildlife around the world?

This World Wildlife Day is the perfect occasion to chew on some facts about the link between animal agriculture and wildlife loss. 

Wildlife populations – mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish – have seen a shocking 69% drop on average since 1970, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The number one reason behind this decline is habitat loss – and the number one reason for habitat loss is agriculture. Forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which are home to a wide variety of wildlife species, keep disappearing to make room to grow crops. This can result in displacement, fragmentation, or outright loss of populations and ecosystems.

With livestock taking up nearly 80% of global agricultural land (yet producing less than 20% of the world’s supply of calories), it’s easy to see how our food choices can have an impact on preserving the world’s wildlife. 

By swapping a kilogram of conventional animal protein with alternative protein, we can prevent 100 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions, preserve over 400 square meters of land, and conserve more than 55,000 liters of water. Imagine the impact this could have on preserving our planet’s precious biodiversity. Every meal is an opportunity to make a difference for species conservation.

This work happened because of the support of people like you. Please consider donating today to build a more humane and sustainable protein supply in Asia.