How Animal Products Affect the Environment

In honor of Earth Day, The Protego Foundation is proud to present "Wizards for Environmental Protection,” or W.F.E.P. 

This two-month campaign is focused on what we can do to live compassionately and in a more eco-friendly manner to respect animals, the planet, and our fellow human beings (magical and non-magical alike)!

Every creature on earth, from tiny Bowtruckles to mighty dragons, are impacted by our everyday decisions. 

Natural treasures like the Black Lake and the Forbidden Forest are worth all the gold in Gringotts, yet they’re facing threats from all angles. There are no spells that can reverse the effects of climate change or make pollution disappear. These fantastic natural habitats won’t last forever, especially if we don’t change our behavior on a large scale.

This is why it’s so important to realize that your individual impact is a powerful force that you can harness to help! Your actions matter and can make a world of difference for our planet and its inhabitants. 

To honor these animals and the natural world around us, Phase 1 of Wizards For Environmental Protection was The Forbidden Forest Challenge.

On our Instagram and Facebook accounts, we shared a Hogwarts Library-worth of information about issues like deforestation, animal materials in clothing, and the problems with the fishing industry. 

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered during this exciting two-week period and some bonus content we didn’t include in our social posts!

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1. Deforestation

In the wizarding world, one of the most enchanting locations is the Forbidden Forest.
A stone’s throw from Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Forest is home to fantastical creatures such as centaurs, Acromantulas, unicorns, and Thestrals. 

Our own spellbinding habitats in the non-magical world are also home to fascinating creatures and have long histories. The Amazon Rainforest dates back 70 million years and is home to half of the world’s animal and plant species. 

There are also massive forests and rainforests in the United States, like Tongass National Forest in Alaska. This 16.9 million acre forest provides a safe haven for over 400 species, including bald eagles and grizzly bears. 

However, unlike the Forbidden Forest, our own forests are threatened by mass deforestation. 

The leading cause of deforestation is animal agriculture. 
In order to meet demand, large swaths of land are cleared out. The natural habitats of native animals are destroyed to make space for farmed animals like cows and to grow crops to feed them. An estimated 70 to 75% of soy crops worldwide are fed to farmed animals! ​

Putting an end to animal agriculture in these forested areas will allow the land to recover. Dangerously high CO2 levels will go down, and valuable food crops, like soy, can be grown for and given to humans and non-human animals in need. 

Yes, deforestation also contributes to human hunger! 
According to the United Nations, 690 million people worldwide go hungry every day. That’s almost 9% of the world’s population! By 2030, an estimated 840 million will suffer from a lack of food. 

Curious to know how you can make a difference in stopping deforestation? 
Here are three tips:

1. Avoid purchasing meat, dairy, and other animal products. 
2. Don’t buy products or foods with palm oil, as this is a major cause of rainforest destruction in South America.
3. Continue to educate yourself and tell your friends and family. Knowledge and word of mouth are powerful - even more so when they’re combined! 

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2. Water Pollution

​The mysterious and captivating Black Lake on the Hogwarts grounds is also a natural treasure. Its dark depths are inhabited by Merpeople, Grindylows, Plimpies, and a very ticklish giant squid. 

Bodies of water like the Black Lake are extremely important aquatic ecosystems. They’re home to hundreds of thousands of fish and marine mammals. They also host colonies of healthy bacteria that filter out carbon and algae, which provide a food source for the ocean, lake, and river-dwellers and help create the oxygen that we need to breathe! 

Yes! 20% of all oxygen, or 1 in every 5 breaths we take, comes from these tiny but mighty bacteria and algae! 

Our own bodies of water in the non-magical world are also starting to darken. Toxic waste from humans and factory farms are polluting our oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes on a large scale.

Slaughterhouses and factory farms create a massive amount of waste. 

In 2018, the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) found that US slaughterhouses pour 250,000 gallons of toxic wastewater a day directly into our water sources. 

These cesspools of fecal bacteria-infested water and toxic waste are also often dumped into local water supplies, where they taint groundwater and the drinking water that people who live near slaughterhouses use. 

Did you know that over 40 diseases and illnesses are linked to drinking manure-tainted water? And that this waste can also cause toxic red algae blooms that release poisons powerful enough to destroy entire ecosystems and habitats? 

Ready to help keep our oceans, rivers, lakes, and all of their magical and non-magical inhabitants safe from this deadly pollution?
​Here are four tips:

1. Avoid purchasing meat, fish, dairy, and other animal products.
2. Spread the word about water pollution and speak out for animals in need!
3. Report pollution to your local council or government if you witness any illegal waste disposal, litter, smoke, or other direct water pollution.
4. Support legislation to give legal rights to bodies of water and ecosystems.

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 3. The Fishing Industry

Aquatic ecosystems have a delicate balance. The fishing industry and high rates of overfishing are putting this balance into jeopardy. 

Globally, large-scale industrial fishing boats drag in as many 2.7 trillion wild-caught fish a year. Other aquatic species, such as sharks, turtles, and dolphins are often snagged and killed as by-catch. Some of them are endangered or at-risk species. 

The fishing industry also pollutes our oceans with 640,000 tonnes of plastic nets, lines, and traps every year. In 2018, over 300 sea turtles were killed by becoming entangled in or ingesting this plastic. 

Plastic pollution and overfishing wreck aquatic food chains, too! Phytoplankton, a food source (and oxygen source) for the majority of marine creatures, are often decimated from the combination of pollution and overfishing. 

This directly impacts the fish, seabirds, sharks, and whales who rely on that plankton as a food source. This also depletes nutrients like iron that would “cycle” back to feed existing algae and plankton. ​

That’s not all. According to the United Nations, the fishing industry is also responsible for 95% of ocean damage worldwide! 

Aquafarming, or factory farmed fish, is also problematic. 
The water used to contain factory farmed fish is polluted with antibiotics, parasites, feces, and pesticides. This contaminated water is often dumped directly into our oceans, where it poisons aquatic creatures and harms their ecosystems. A single 2 acre fish farm can generate as much waste as 10,000 people! 

Here are four ways we can protect magical and non-magical aquatic creatures:

1. Avoid purchasing seafood products.
2. Write to your government and campaign for no-catch zones.
3. Report pollution to your local council or government if you witness any illegal waste disposal, litter, smoke, or other direct water pollution.
4. Spread the word! 

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4. Animal Materials

Wool, leather, fur, feathers, and skins used in clothing and accessories do more than just harm the animals they come from. These materials are also damaging to the environment! 

The problems with leather:
One word: chemicals. 

Tanning leather, or preparing it to be used in items like coats, belts, and sneakers, uses a lot of chemicals. 

Formaldehyde, arsenic, coal tar, chromium, and dyes are all regularly used in the leather industry. Runoff from these toxic substances leeches into local land and water reservoirs, destroying habitats and ecosystems and sickening nearby humans and non-human animals. 

The workers who create the leather products and people who live near tanneries can develop life-threatening illnesses and diseases, like cancer, as a result of close contact with these chemicals. 

The problems with reptile skins: 
Crocodile, snake, and reptile skins used for wallets, boots, and purses (Rita Skeeter's horrific crocodile clutch, anyone?) are also dangerous for people and the environment. 

A large population of reptiles used for their skins are factory farmed. Like cattle in the leather industry, this takes a toll on the environment. Toxic chemicals that are used to treat reptile skins release hazardous waste into local water supplies, wreck ecosystems, and harm workers and nearby residents. 

Wild-caught reptiles aren’t any better. Aside from facing violence and abuse (sometimes even being skinned alive) animals like alligators are apex predators. The loss of these top predators in their natural habitats disrupts the food chain and causes an imbalance in entire ecosystems. 

The problems with fur and wool: 
Wool from sheep and alpacas and hair from rabbits, foxes, and minks are often used in the production of clothing, cosmetics, and personal care products. 

Fur farms and the wool industry contribute to deforestation when they create facilities to hold their animals and pasturelands. This causes erosion and a mass loss of biodiversity. The methane gas from manure and waste goes directly into the atmosphere, adding to global warming.

The animals in fur farms and the wool industry often live short lives full of pain and stress. They endure agonizing treatment and often are brutally killed when they’re considered “spent”. 

The problems with feathers:
When humans take feathers from birds for coats, pillows, quills, or wands, they’re directly contributing to global warming and large and small-scale pollution. 

Waste from factory farmed birds contaminates the air and water. Heavy land use for the farms and to grow food to feed the factory farmed birds leads to deforestation. 

On top of that, “harvesting” the feathers is almost impossibly cruel. While some feathers are a by-product of the equally problematic poultry industry, the abusive practice of “live plucking,” or ripping the feathers out of fully conscious birds, is industry standard.

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5. Vegan Clothing

​The wizarding world is full of warm jumpers, coats, cloaks, and gloves.

By choosing plant-derived or human-made materials, our magical and non-magical animal friends can keep their coats, and so can you! 

Traditionally, many of these articles of clothing were (and are) made from wool, leather, silk, and fur materials. Now, many are made from cotton, vegan leathers, and faux furs! 

Here are a few ways to showcase your Harry Potter pride while also going animal-free!
 

• Choose sweaters and scarves made from cotton and/or polyester. (Cotton is preferable because every time polyester is washed, microplastics are shed and end up in water systems.) Companies like Cinereplicas make officially licensed, film-accurate Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Gryffindor sweaters and scarves. They are knitted from a cotton-polyester blend instead of wool!

• Hogwarts students are often spotted wearing their compulsory dragonhide gloves. There are lots of alternatives for dragon or cowhide (leather), with more and more synthetic options being put on the market. You can find many leather items made from recycled plastics as well as plant materials like cacti, mushroom, pineapple, and even apple “leather”! 

• Heading into summer or spring? Or perhaps you're from the Beauxbatons Academy in the French Pyrenees? You may require a light cloak, scarf, or gloves to go with your outfit or uniform. While Beauxbatons uniforms are usually made of silk (from silkworms), there are new and old traditional silk alternatives such as cupro (cellulose fiber) and silk made from other origins like lotus flowers, bamboo, nettle, and even oranges!

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• If you're taking a trip into the Forbidden Forest, you're going to want to stay warm and dry. Traditional puffer jackets are filled with down feathers, harming geese and ducks and perpetuating needless cruelty. Now, companies like Kathmandu, Save the Duck, and Patagonia have feather-free alternatives to keep us cozy on our travels.

 

• If you're deep into winter, or from the frosty Northern European school of Durmstrang, you may need a large faux fur coat to keep you warm! Many companies now do plant-derived furs (although faux fur is also commonly made from acrylic). You can find luxury faux furs and even faux angora wool through companies like Unreal Fur and House of Fluff.

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6. Environmental Racism

The use of animal products is harmful to the animals, the land and sea we share, and ultimately ourselves.

However, we need to acknowledge the Erumpent in the room: Environmental racism. 

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are more likely to experience polluted air, land, and water than non-BIPOC communities. 

For most people, animal farms and slaughterhouses are out of sight, and out of mind. 

For BIPOC and low-income communities, they are a continuous reality, as factory farms are often built near them by design. Animal waste is released by factory farms at an alarming rate and has been known to cause major health issues to these communities. Negative health effects include coughing, headaches, psychological illness, fatigue, and depression.

People in positions of power who have upheld white supremacy have assisted in creating policies that are putting BIPOC communities at risk.

According to a study led by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington, non-Hispanic white people are exposed to 17% less air pollution than is caused by their consumption, while Black and Hispanic communities are exposed to 56% and 63% more air pollution, respectively, than is caused by their consumption.  

In addition, deforestation (with animal agriculture being its leading cause) constantly threatens the rights of indigenous people and the territories they protect. 

According to National Geographic, indigenous people protect 80% of the global biodiversity while representing less than 5% of the world’s population.

Here are five things you can do to fight against environmental racism:

1. Avoid purchasing meat, fish, dairy, and other animal products.
2. Support your local farmers’ market and buy produce from Black and Brown farmers.
3. Educate yourself on how to actively be anti-racist. 
4. Raise awareness about environmental justice.
5. Write to your government and campaign about creating better public health infrastructures.

We’d also recommend learning about the amazing work Food Empowerment Project is doing as a vegan food justice organization which aims at creating a more just and sustainable world.

Dismantling white supremacy must be an integral part of our fight to protect the environment.

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7. The Vegan Transition

Ever thought about transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, but you don’t know where to start? 

We can help! We’ll take a leaf out of Molly Weasley’s book and start with FOOD! 

The next time you’re at Hogwarts, enjoy some of these vegan-friendly recipes From the Hogwarts Kitchen!

Here are some quick and easy vegan swaps that you can use in the magical or non-magical world:

Meat/Fish: 
You don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite recipes.
Have a hearty veggie casserole, shepherd’s pie, or stew by swapping meat with vegetables, beans, lentils, seitan, or soybean alternatives like tofu, tempeh, or textured soy protein.
You can even find some vegan beef, chicken, or fish-flavored stock or ready-made mock meats at your local supermarket.

Eggs:
Instead of scrambled eggs, why not try a tofu scramble? Add some Kala namak (also known as Himalayan black salt) which adds an eggy flavor. You could also try ready-made egg substitutes like Just Egg or chickpea flour to make an omelet.
 
While eggs are used as a binding agent in baked goods, in a lot of recipes, they can be easily replaced or omitted. Next time you’re baking a cake, instead of an egg, try a flaxseed egg (combine 1 tbsp of flax seeds + 3 tbsp of water), a chia egg (1 tbsp of chia seeds + 3 tbsp of water) or applesauce. Other substitutes include silken tofu, bananas, and vegan yogurt.
    
Aquafaba, or chickpea “brine,” is a great substitute for egg whites. Whipped with a strong mixer or hand beater, it forms those “stiff peaks” you need for baking certain desserts like meringues, mousses, and macarons! 

Dairy:
Giving up cow’s milk will open the door to so many delicious alternatives! You can find milk made out of soy, rice, hemp, oats, almonds, coconuts, cashews, or a mix of these! We recommend oat and soy milk, as they have a mild taste and are the most environmentally friendly.
If you’re feeling up to it, you might even want to learn how to make them at home!

Vegan ice creams, butter, and cheese are also becoming more popular and accessible. Nutritional yeast (or "nooch") adds a nice, cheesy flavor. You'll be sprinkling it over all of your meals in no time! 

Honey:
Don't steal the honey that bees have worked so hard to make! Try some molasses, maple syrup, agave, date syrup, or rice syrup instead. You can also find vegan honey (here is another one) made from cane sugar online and in stores which tastes just like the real thing!

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8. Helpful Resources

If you're interested in transitioning into a vegan lifestyle, but you aren't sure where to start, don't worry!

It’s essential to remember that there is no one way to become vegan. Some people become vegan overnight, while others transition for a few months, removing one animal product after the other. You might find that one method works better for you than the other, and that’s okay!

Here are some of our favorite resources for the vegan-curious! 

Books    

1. Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy
2. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer    
3. BOSH! How to Live Vegan by Henry Firth & Ian Theasby

Documentaries

1. What the Health
2. Forks Over Knives
3. Cowspiracy

Podcast

1. The ChickPeeps 

Nonprofit Organizations

1. Food Empowerment Project
2. Surge
3. Mercy For Animals 

Don’t forget to join our Discord server to chat with other animal lovers and tell us how your transition to veganism is going!



Written by Assya Ahouandjinou, Ruby Shoefield, and Victoria Tomis

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