Through conversations with experts in environmental and agricultural science, former journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth examined the cultural, economic, nutritional and environmental impact of cows around the world — and the possible repercussions of their absence. 

In their search for the facts behind often-oversimplified debates, Michelle and Brandon discovered that while cows account for 5–7% of global greenhouse gas emissions (according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), they also: 

• Help keep soil healthy and support biodiversity on grazing lands  

• Pull carbon from the air into the soil where it is stored  

• Provide critical nutrients for humans that are not easily obtained from other sources  

• Turn waste we can’t eat into the nutrient-dense food we need (a process known as upcycling) 

The science behind the story of World Without Cows is critical to sparking meaningful discussions that drive real change — and benefit — for all.  

Together, we can consider what is truly at stake when we ask: Are we better off in a world without cows? 

Download our one-page key findings document and check out our World Without Cows Resource Wiki.