What happens if you take all the cows away?
Through interviews with experts in agriculture and environmental science, farmers and more, “World Without Cows” delves into the complex and often surprising ways in which cattle impact our world. This compelling exploration is led by two award-winning, former journalists who traveled the world to examine the cultural and economic significance of cows, their role in nourishing the world and their impact on climate — and to answer the question, “Are we better off in a world without cows?”
From the heartland of the United States to Kenya, India, Brazil and beyond, this journey of discovery invites viewers to consider the true value of these often-overlooked animals and the potential consequences of their absence. “World Without Cows” will make you think twice about the role cows play in our lives.
the filmmakers
World Without Cows was written and directed by two award-winning journalists, Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, who spent nearly three years visiting scientists, academics, farmers and others to get an up-close look at the social, financial and environmental impact of cows — and to explore the possible repercussions of a world without them.
Michelle spent more than two decades in journalism, half of that time working abroad as a military correspondent. Twice, she was recognized as the Solo Video Journalist of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. Many organizations, including West Point Military Academy, the Poynter Institute and the Kentucky News Photographers Association, have sought her storytelling expertise.
Brandon is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television news photojournalist and international video producer. He spent a decade working for CBS and NBC affiliates in Kentucky and Utah and has received several regional awards from the American Advertising Federation, the Associated Press, and National Press Photographers Association for excellence in visual storytelling.
Michelle michael
Brandon Whitworth
Filming Locations
Around the World: Brazil, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Patagonia, Singapore, United Kingdom
the filmmakers
World Without Cows was written and directed by two award-winning journalists, Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, who spent nearly three years visiting scientists, academics, farmers and others to get an up-close look at the social, financial and environmental impact of cows — and to explore the possible repercussions of a world without them.
Michelle spent more than two decades in journalism, half of that time working abroad as a military correspondent. Twice, she was recognized as the Solo Video Journalist of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. Many organizations, including West Point Military Academy, the Poynter Institute and the Kentucky News Photographers Association, have sought her storytelling expertise.
Brandon is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television news photojournalist and international video producer. He spent a decade working for CBS and NBC affiliates in Kentucky and Utah and has received several regional awards from the American Advertising Federation, the Associated Press, and National Press Photographers Association for excellence in visual storytelling.
Michelle michael
@farmfilmmaker
Brandon Whitworth
@theagstoryteller
Filming locations
Around the World: Brazil, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Patagonia, Singapore, United Kingdom
the filmmakers
“World Without Cows” was written and directed by two award-winning journalists, Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, who spent nearly three years visiting scientists, academics, farmers and others to get an up-close look at the social, financial and environmental impact of cows — and to explore the possible repercussions of a world without them.
Michelle spent more than two decades in journalism, half of that time working abroad as a military correspondent. Twice, she was recognized as the Solo Video Journalist of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. Many organizations, including West Point Military Academy, the Poynter Institute and the Kentucky News Photographers Association, have sought her storytelling expertise.
Brandon is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television news photojournalist and international video producer. He spent a decade working for CBS and NBC affiliates in Kentucky and Utah and has received several regional awards from the American Advertising Federation, the Associated Press, and National Press Photographers Association for excellence in visual storytelling.
Michelle michael
Brandon Whitworth
Filming Locations
Around the World: Brazil, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Patagonia, Singapore, United Kingdom
Hear from the experts
World Without Cows starts an important conversation about the role cows play in our daily lives and in the world around us. It features interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists, academics, advocates and other experts, including:
"Behind every Maasai man, there is a cow. It is a part of me. I cannot live without a cow. Everything in life connected for me to survive is because of a cow."
— Joel Saitore Gilisho,
Maasai Warrior. Kenya
Farmers, Ranchers & Food Producers
Gabe Brown
Victor Campanelli
Joel Saitore Gilisho
Francis Karanja Kamau
Andre Perrone
Kip Ole Polos
Shrirang Sarda
Amit Vyas
Allen Williams
"I think we could go and do a survey and many people would say, yes, cows are the worst thing in the world for climate."
— John Lynch, Climatologist,
Oxford, University
Scientists & Academics
Dr. Elizabeth "Betsey" Boughton
Dr. Mizeck Chagunda
Dr. Adrian Collins
Ciniro Costa Jr.
Bruce Griffith
Dr. Vaughn Holder
Dr. John Lynch
Dr. Frank Mitloehner
Dr. David Montgomery
Dr. Sara Place
Dr. Gregory Schwartz
Gustavo Siquiera
Dr. Stephan van Vliet
Dr. Nicole Welk-Joerger
"At every stage of history, farmers have been the anchor. They're the ones who most quickly adapt to innovation. They're the ones who nourish communities, who create societies. And so why would you bet against them now? Why would you think that all of a sudden, today, when the demands are different, that they can't respond to it?"
— Jay Waldvogel,
Dairy Farmers of America
Advocates & Specialists
Jack Bobo
John Butler
Nadir Godrej
Nithiya Laila
Lynda McDonald
Justin Sherrard
Mary Soukup
Shirley Tarawali
Jay Waldvogel
"Cows could actually
save the world."
— Mizeck Chagunda, University of Hohenheim
frequently asked questions
Amid narrow views about cows and climate change, this feature-length documentary explores the true impact of cattle and the potential consequences of their removal. It aims to start an important conversation about the role cows play in our daily lives and the world around us. We aim to challenge the prevailing narrative and encourage viewers to examine the science.
World Without Cows is an incredible journey around the world in search of the answer to one simple question: Are we better off in a world without cows? With unprecedented global access to those on the frontlines of agriculture and science, filmmakers Brandon Whitworth and Michelle Michael examined the cultural and economic significance of cows, their role in nourishing the world and their impact on climate. What they found was far from simple: When it comes to cows, it’s not black and white. World Without Cows invites viewers to take a scientific look at the real impact of cows on our world — and the potential consequences of their absence.
The cultural and economic significance of cows; feeding the world; nutrition security; alternative proteins; population growth challenges; mitigating climate change; improving soil health; carbon sequestration; and more.
Several states in the U.S., Brazil, Chile, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Patagonia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
World Without Cows features dozens of interviews with scientists, academics, farmers, ranchers and other experts from around the world. Check them out here: https://worldwithoutcows.com/about/
The documentary is now in the final stages of production and we have entered the activation phase, which will include film festival submissions, screenings and panel discussions, social media campaigns, additional website content and more. The activation phase is designed to build awareness for the film and, ultimately, help secure distribution on streaming platforms or networks.
The Explore page on worldwithoutcows.com will delve deeper into some of the issues raised in the documentary and other hot topics related to agriculture’s role in climate change.
Share this page with your social media networks, friends and family, and sign up for updates. We’ll let you know about opportunities to get involved and help us continue this conversation. Send questions to info@worldwithoutcows.com. You can also follow us on social media.
Documentary social media accounts:
- https://www.facebook.com/WorldWithoutCows
- https://twitter.com/worldwithoutcow
- https://www.instagram.com/worldwithoutcows/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldwithoutcows/
- https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwithoutcows
- https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetofPlenty
Our filmmakers’ social accounts:
Michelle Michael
- https://www.instagram.com/farmfilmmaker
- https://www.facebook.com/farmfilmmaker
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-michael-9395a977/
Brandon Whitworth
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