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Animals around the world need our voice to speak up for them and advocate for their rights. We can all take a stand against injustice and help those that need it. This is especially crucial for people with large social media platforms that can use their voice to promote causes they truly believe in, such as veganism and following a plant-based diet. Paul Wesley, an American actor, producer, and director whose parents immigrated from Poland, regularly takes a stand against animal abuse and exploitation. He rose to fame in the supernatural drama series Vampire Diaries and has endorsed the Plant Based Treaty.
“I’ve signed the Plant Based Treaty because Animal Farming has obliterated our beautiful forests and animals beyond recognition. We need to shift to vegan diets to protect our rivers, oceans, airs and soils. It’s time to mobilize and organize in our communities to put pressure on our elected officials to negotiate a global Plant Based Treaty and avoid planetary collapse.”– Paul Wesley
This talented actor and passionate activist fights for the rights of animals, raises awareness and encourages others to make a change. Here are five ways Wesley is making a difference for animals that will inspire you to do the same.
And hey, if vampires can be vegan, we can all follow in his footsteps.
1. He encourages veganism on Twitter
Wesley became vegan at least a decade ago and often uses Twitter to speak out against factory farming and for people to go vegan.
“Ignorance is mocking vegetarianism/ veganism and then crying over a rainforest which is being burned to make room for more animal consumption.” – Paul Wesley.
He tweeted the above sentence in 2019 and PETA responded with an article about how the meat industry fuels the amazon rainforest fires and responded that:
“Animal agriculture requires massive amounts of land, feed, energy, and water and causes living, feeling beings to endure immense suffering. Our choices can change this!” – Paul Wesley
This form of activism is important and everyone reading the Twitter conversation was educated on this topic. At the end of 2020, he encouraged his 4.2 million Twitter followers to go vegan in the new year.
“Factory farming is, in my opinion, one of the most important issues of our time. If not the most important. The unimaginable suffering imposed on living beings, the cause of numerous diseases/ pandemics, and the greatest contributor to climate change. Join me & go vegan in 2021.” – Paul Wesley
We may not have millions of social media followers, but we can still use these platforms to share information about veganism because even if one person sees it and makes a change, we are making a difference.
2. He promotes a plant-based diet on Instagram
With 12.4 million Instagram followers, he has a lot of influence on this platform. On Earth Day 2021, he posted a photo of himself and a dog and wrote:
“…I want to encourage you all to be kind to all of our earth’s creatures. A plant-based diet is hands down THE single biggest way to reduce your impact on this earth. I encourage you all to try to reduce your dependence on animal products. Not only will we be saving the planet, but we we also be saving many animals from the unnecessary suffering that is a sad reality of today’s industrialized food system. 80 billion animals are slaughtered every year. Meat production is estimated to double by 2050. How will we feed 160 billion animals per year? By clearing forests. But we have already cleared 50 percent of the worlds forests.” – Paul Wesley
Wesley has also encouraged his Instagram followers to watch Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, a vegan environmental documentary about animal agriculture that shows factory farming is a driving force of the climate crisis the world is currently facing. Consider hosting a movie night and stream this film with your friends.
3. He does not support the fur industry
Wesley cares about all animals, not just those exploited by food industries. In 2012 he co-hosted a fur-free fashion show with the Humane Society of the United States that featured vegan designers with animal-friendly values and not creating clothing with animal fur.
“We are working hard to reduce this suffering and grow the business that trades in outerwear that doesn’t involve fur. And we are creating opportunities to celebrate compassionate leadership in the world of fashion.” – The Humane Society of the United States
If you want to help animals being exploited for their fur, consider speaking out against the cruel fur industry and join a rally or protest in your city to raise awareness. Supporting vegan brands is also important.
4. He encourages others to sign petitions
Wesley encouraged his followers on social media to sign Animal Save Movement and Plant Based Treaty’s petition to stop Nueva Pescanova from building the first commercial octopus farm in the Canary Islands.
“Octopuses are one of the most fascinatingly beautiful creatures on earth. They are wildly intelligent, sentient beings capable of high level cognitive behaviors. The idea of creating an “octopus farm” where they will be tortured their entire lives and killed for the sake of mass profit is beyond devastating and mind boggling. We must stop the company Nueva Pescanova from committing this horrific moral atrocity”. – Paul Wesley for Animal Save Movement
Learn more about octopuses here and how octopus farming is unsustainable and cruel here and become a friend to octopuses and advocate for their rights.
5. He makes videos to spread awareness
Wesley partnered with Farm Sanctuary to create a video called World of Harm.
“Animal agriculture is at the core of our modern food system. And yet, it’s a major contributor to some of the biggest issues of our time: environmental devastation, social injustice, immense animal suffering, and a public health crisis — it is a World Harm.” – Farm Sanctuary
The short and informative video is packed with facts and stats about tax dollars, funding, government subsidies, public health, the true cost of “cheap meat”, worldwide emissions from factory farming, animal cruelty, and the 80 billion animals being slaughtered for food each year. Watch the video, learn the facts, and share them with everyone you know that still supports factory farming and eats animals.
“The time to act is now.” – Paul Wesley.
Miriam Porter is an award-winning writer who writes about veganism, social justice issues, and eco-travel. Miriam currently lives in Toronto with her son Noah and many rescued furry friends. She is a passionate animal rights activist and speaks up for those whose voices cannot be heard.
