Recycle. Take shorter showers. Use public transportation. These are common tips for protecting our earth. Still, this list is incomplete without mentioning—and combatting—one of the planet’s biggest threats: animal agriculture.

Our modern food system exploits animals, communities, and the planet—compromising our air, water, and natural ecosystems. If we don’t act now, we won’t survive.

But there’s still hope: We can each heal our planet, one meal at a time. This Earth Day, try vegan—and read on to learn about the difference it can make.

In 2018, the USDA program “Wildlife Services” killed 2.6 million wild animals, primarily to benefit animal agriculture.

Nearly 1.5 million were native species.

Beef, soy, & palm oil are responsible for 60% of tropical deforestation.

77% of the world’s soybeans are fed to animals raised for food production!

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to human-made greenhouse gas emissions and wildfires are exacerbated by climate change.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of ocean plastic that weighs around 79 thousand tons—and is around 46% fishing nets.

Switching to a more plant-forward diet could cut our water footprint in half.

Of the 28,000 animals on the endangered species list, 24,000 are threatened by agriculture, which destroys natural habitats.

Poor air quality caused by food production in the U.S. is estimated to result in 16,000 deaths annually—and 80% are related to animal production.

The animals we choose to eat are just like the animals we choose to love.

They feel pain. They express joy. They experience fear and sorrow.

If given the choice, they would choose to live.

Veganism isn’t just about food. Your choices impact so much more than your plate. Learn more at farmsanctuary.org