Compassion USA also released a fun, animated video today that brings the impact of eating meat, fish, and poultry to life. Watch the video here.

In addition to releasing the calculator so that individuals can make informed food decisions, Compassion USA is calling on all major food companies and international governing bodies to more holistically account for and address the impacts of food and begin shifting towards more plant-heavy diets that are affordable and accessible to all.

“Let’s not put the burden of food system reform solely on individual consumers,” added Doyle. “Food companies and governing bodies must be proactive before the damage is irreversible.”

The methodology behind the calculator’s creation involved evaluating a complex data set of environmental factors from the full life cycle of food – from farming to processing to transport – to fully account for the total impact on land, water, pollution, and biodiversity loss necessary to bring a particular food to retail.

Future applications of the calculator include offering tangible, meaningful solutions for major food companies looking to hit sustainability targets and rebalance protein portfolios. For example, the 200+ brands that have committed to higher welfare chicken could pair this crucial transition with a commitment to rebalance their protein supplies toward more plant-based foods—and in doing so, benefit billions of chickens and the planet simultaneously.

Follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at #EvaluateYourPlate.

###

For more information, please contact: Alison Spasser, (706) 834-7247, alison.spasser@ciwf.org

Compassion in World Farming USA is a team of strategic bridge builders working to end factory farming and repair the complex and far-reaching damage it inflicts, harnessing our technical expertise and the power of partnership to bring together an inclusive coalition of advocates, consumers, farmers, companies, and institutions. From farms to corporate boardrooms, newsfeeds to the halls of government, we work tirelessly on the ground to establish an innovative and resilient food system that is compassionate, fair, and regenerative for our planet and all its inhabitants.

Evaluate Your Plate: A First-Of-Its-Kind Tool for Comprehensive Food Impact