The Venus Flytrap and the Golf Course
There’s something unsettling about the Venus flytrap. When it eats, it behaves more like an animal than a plant, ensnaring unsuspecting insects in its fragrant snap trap in as little as a third of a second. And while one can understand, rationally, that the Venus flytrap evolved its taste for bugs over tens of millions […]
South Korea passes bill to ban consumption of dog meat
South Korea’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to ban the eating and selling of dog meat, a move that will end the controversial centuries-old practice amid growing support for animal welfare. Eating dog meat was once seen as a way to improve stamina in the humid Korean summer. But the practise has become rare—largely […]
The return of bullfighting to Mexico’s capital excites fans and upsets animal rights groups
In the center of a desolate and cold Plaza Mexico stadium, a young matador raises a red cape and leaps to the right as he gets charged—not by a bull, but by a bull’s head on a cart. A bellowing colleague is pushing the wheeled contraption to breathe a bit of realism into training in […]
When plants can no longer stand the heat, we’re in trouble
Around the world, leaves play a critical central role in staving off the worst impacts of climate change. Their ability trap CO2 and combine it with water and sunlight to make food and oxygen is a critical part of what keeps life on Earth going. But according to a new study published in Nature, some […]
Hundreds of lizards seized in Australia police bust
A criminal syndicate that planned to illegally export hundreds of native lizards from Australia to Hong Kong has been “dismantled,” authorities say. The reptiles had an estimated market value of A$1.2m (£633,000; $805,000), according to New South Wales Police.
Buildings kill a billion U.S. birds a year. These architects want to save them
Chicago’s 82-story Aqua Tower appears to flutter with the wind. Its unusual, undulating facade has made it one of the most unique features of Chicago’s skyline, distinct from the many right-angled glass towers that surround it. In designing it, the architect Jeanne Gang thought not only about how humans would see it, dancing against the […]
Best Vegan Belts: Vegan Leather, Cork, Cloth & Beyond
Are you ready to give your belt collection an upgrade? You have a few options. You can support specifically vegan belt brands that are ethically made—although these do tend to be a bit more expensive. Or, if you’re shopping on a budget, you can look for “accidentally vegan” synthetic belts at mainstream stores like Target, […]
Governor Hochul signs legislation to protect wildlife
S.4099/A.2917 amends the environmental conservation law to make certain hunting contests, competitions, tournaments, and derbies that allow for the take of large numbers of wildlife unlawful. The legislation does not ban hunting or fishing but does protect New York’s rich biodiversity by prohibiting the wasteful taking of certain wildlife.
The Most-Loved ‘Forks Over Knives’ Recipes of 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect back on another year of whole-food, plant-based meals for the books. Here at FOK, our mission is to provide accessible, flavorful, and healthy plant-based recipes that help prevent chronic disease and support your well-being from the inside out. We’ve rounded up our most-loved snacks, main […]
Free Bella: The fight to release a beluga whale from a South Korean mega mall’s aquarium
A barren tank with concrete walls and artificial rocks, housed on the lower floors of a South Korean mega mall, has been home to a female beluga whale for close to a decade. The whale was believed to be around two years old when she was captured by boats in Russian waters in 2013 and […]
Five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs have been identified
The hedgehog family tree is ending 2023 by getting a few more branches. A study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society identified five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs native to Southeast Asia that were found with the help of some DNA analysis and some decades-old museum specimens. Soft-furred hedgehogs–or gymnures–are tiny mammals […]
Joe Biden plans to ban logging in U.S. old-growth forests in 2025
Joe Biden’s administration announced a new proposal aimed at banning logging in old-growth forests, a move meant to protect millions of trees that play a key role in fighting the climate crisis. The proposal comes from an executive order signed by the president on Earth Day in 2022 that directed the U.S. Forest Service and […]
