A More Compassionate Fourth: Ditch The Fireworks & Leave Pigs Off Your BBQ
Every year on the Fourth of July, millions gather to celebrate independence with cookouts, fireworks, and patriotic fanfare. But while we honor “freedom,” it’s worth asking the question: who really gets to be free?
Over 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth alone1. That means over 150 million animals (most of them pigs) will be killed for a single day’s tradition. Pigs like our Sanctuary residents Amelia and Mario (pictured above), who are not so different from the dogs that many of us share our homes with. In fact, studies show pigs are incredibly intelligent: they can play video games2, recognize themselves in mirrors3, and respond to their names. They form close social bonds, experience complex emotions, and even dream4. And yet, their lives are, far-too-often, short and filled with suffering.
Meanwhile, the environmental toll of eating animals grows heavier every year.
Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions5, more than all transportation combined. It uses 83% of the world’s farmland yet provides less than 20% of the calories we consume6. Producing just one pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water7. It’s also a major driver of deforestation (responsible for up to 91% of Amazon rainforest destruction8 ) and contributes significantly to biodiversity loss and water pollution.
Last summer was the hottest on record9. And unless we change course, each year will continue to break climate records, along with the ecosystems, communities, and the individual lives those numbers represent.
The good news? Shifting to a plant-based diet can reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%10. Vegan versions of hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and more are now widely available—and delicious. Our personal recommendation is Field Roast‘s hotdogs, widely available at major grocery store chains. You can head to their website and check out their “Where to Buy” page to find a location near you that sells their products! When we can enjoy the tastes we love without harming animals or the planet, why wouldn’t we?
Of course, food isn’t the only tradition worth reexamining this holiday.
Fireworks, while dazzling, are devastating to animals. Dogs and cats often panic at the sound, many fleeing homes in terror. July 5th is one of the busiest days of the year for animal shelters due to lost pets11. Wildlife, too, suffer greatly: birds abandon nests, mammals stampede, and some animals, especially birds, have even died from cardiac arrest due to explosive noise12.
Even animals at sanctuaries and on farms experience distress. Our residents, though safe, are not immune to the disorienting blasts that echo across our countryside.
Fireworks also harm the environment. They release toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the air and water, harming not only animals, but human communities as well, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions13.
This Independence Day, consider plant-based alternatives for your BBQ. Advocate for firework-free festivities in your community. And most of all, reflect on what freedom really means, and who actually gets to experience it in our society.
We all deserve joy. We all deserve peace. Let’s build a world that honors that truth: for all beings.
Sources:
Catskill Conversations, Sanctuary Journal
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