Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret

Type: Docu-series

Director: Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn

Lead Actor: Kip Andersen

Distribution year: 2014

Language: English (original) and translated into 19 languages

Cowspiracy is an investigative documentary that explores the environmental impact of intensive livestock farming, highlighting how the livestock industry contributes significantly to global problems such as climate change, deforestation and water depletion. From the very first minutes, the film links the consumption of meat and meat products to a major cause of environmental damage on a global scale.

Throughout the narrative, the filmmakers present scientific and statistical data supported by agencies such as FAO, NASA and World Watch Institute, which indicate that animals and by-products generate 18 percent to 51 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Intensive livestock farms, according to these sources, are responsible for about 32 billion tons of CO₂ per year, making them a major driver of the climate crisis.

The documentary follows the personal journey of a young environmentalist who tries to lead a more sustainable life. However, he encounters an uncomfortable reality: many of the leading environmental organizations avoid talking about the impact of the livestock industry. This media silence is interpreted as a real “conspiracy,” hence the film’s title: Cowspiracy, a fusion of “cow” and “conspiracy.”

Through accessible language, clear infographics and authoritative testimonies, the documentary invites the viewer to reflect on the role of food choices in the context of the climate emergency. The film promotes a more sustainable food system, suggesting practical solutions and alternatives based on a plant-based diet that is less impactful on the environment.