How World Animal Protection Took Climate Week NYC by Storm: Plant-Based Foods for a Cooler and Kinder Planet

Every September, New York City transforms into a global hub for climate action as thousands converge for Climate Week, coinciding with the UN General Assembly. This year, thanks to your unwavering support, World Animal Protection showed up in full force to tackle one of the biggest drivers of the climate crisis: industrial animal agriculture. But we didn’t just talk about the problem—we presented a solution with an irresistible, humane, and climate-friendly twist: delicious plant-based foods.

We teamed up with Plantega, a trailblazing NYC-based company bringing plant-based menus to over 50 bodegas throughout the city. Together, we kicked off Climate Week with a vibrant community event at Ebbs Brewing Co. in Brooklyn. Attendees savored free samples of the iconic New York chopped cheese sandwich, reimagined entirely plant-based. While they enjoyed their bites, they also learned about tangible actions they could take to protect animals and combat climate change—both during Climate Week and beyond.

And then, we hit the streets. Our interactive, supersized Jenga-style game wasn’t just fun—it was thought-provoking. Each block carried questions like, “How do burgers contribute to climate change and cruelty to cows?”, or, “How does eating fast food hurt koalas?” These powerful prompts sparked meaningful conversations about how factory farming devastates animals and the environment, helping participants make connections between their food choices and the climate crisis.

Midweek, we reunited with Plantega at Yummy Hive, one of their bodegas in the East Village. Here, we handed out free vegan bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich samples (while supplies lasted!) and engaged with passersby about the links between climate change and animal agriculture. Plantega amplified our message citywide by rolling out co-branded store signage at all 50+ bodega locations, educating New Yorkers about how plant-based eating can protect the climate and save animals. These signs will remain in place for the next several months, extending our impact beyond the week’s events.

To cap off the week, we had the privilege of participating in Tilt Collective’s Food Day—an exclusive gathering of advocacy organizations across various sectors. We joined forces to discuss game-changing strategies for ending factory farming and shifting to a plant-based food system that puts power back in the hands of communities, not mega meat and dairy companies.

Climate Week NYC was a resounding success, and it was all because of you. We extend our deepest gratitude to every supporter and volunteer who made our efforts possible. It’s crucial that we continue to educate the public on the interconnected threats posed by industrial animal agriculture—because what’s at stake isn’t just the lives of animals, but the future of our planet.

Learn more about our efforts to end factory farming.