Why do people who care about the welfare of animals continue to eat them? This seemingly simple question often leads to spirited debates about morality, nutrition, sustainability, and can even upset and enrage people who have barely spent much time thinking about the issue.

The new wave of pro-meat arguments is in part an attempt to defend the weakened meat-eating establishment — “Happy meat,” locavorism, and “paleo dieting” are signs of society’s willingness to examine the ethics of eating meat, eggs, and diary

There is no time like the present to go vegan—with people becoming more conscientious about the treatment of animals and their health in the past few years, traditional restaurants and the media have noticed. Veganism is no longer a foreign concept. There has been a recent surge of establishments offering meat free dishes, completely vegan restaurants opening their doors, and new vegan products hitting the shelves.

Can we be honest? Putting birds in colony cages, taking their eggs away, and killing them at the end of their run does not make them happy. It doesn’t even make them more fortunate than they used to be. Birds in cages 18 years from now won’t thank us because we could have made those cages smaller.

Flying is something vegans dread, but it doesn’t have to be such a hassle. Whether you choose to rely on airline food or pack your own grub, here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your trip doesn’t get off to a poor start due to a rumbling tummy.

If we think it’s not okay to deliberately kill another human animal, because human animals have a right to not be killed, then if we treat other animals equally, we ought not to kill them. If we think it’s not okay to deliberately harm another human animal, because other human animals have an interest in not being harmed, then if we treat other animals equally, we ought not to deliberately harm them.

Statistically, it is true, American men eat more “beef” than women. A lot of industries need American men to continue to eat beef—to begin with the beef industry, but also steakhouses, fast food burger joints, magazines that help to establish just what is “manly” and what is not, and then, let’s not forget, open-heart surgeons.

According to a recent study, artificial meat could be produced with up to 96% lower greenhouse gas emissions, 99% lower land use, and 96% lower water use than conventional meat. With in vitro meat we could drastically reduce the severe environmental impact of animal agriculture.

From Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette to Bif Naked, Ted Leo and the legendary Joan Jett, vegan virtuosos are pervasive in every music genre. So, no matter your musical fancy, you’re bound to find an artist who’s got a taste for tofu stir-fry. Here are some varied vegan artists who I’d have over for dinner any nigh