Whether you’re a vegan or meat-eater, bet you never thought about what it would be like to live in a World Without Cows? This film may make you understand why it’s important after two award-winning broadcast journalists took the time to visit cows and scientists in 22 countries in 5 years. They went from Kenya, to India , Brazil and Texas to uncover why we may become food insecure sooner than we expect.
International TV Correspondent Michelle Michael and with CBS and NBC Photojournalist Brandon Whitworth took on the task of finding out why cows are so important to different cultures. Their film takes you from country to country to find out why cows mean so much to each culture, and why we should pay attention to climate change which is affecting not only the cows, but sustenance for everyone on Earth.
Cows are protected by religion in India that depends on milk for protein and nutrition. Even after their milk producing days are over, millions of protected animals wander the streets. In other countries, cows are a staple for their meat, raised and bred for sustenance. Even the dung is used as fertilizer or sealing walls of homes. But in some countries, herders are finding it more difficult to raise cattle where drought exists. Climate change has made it impossible for them to graze.
These journalists talked with scientists, farmers, cattle ranchers, and more to find out about a global protein gap. How lack of water affects the grazing land causing population shifts because of changes in the composition of the soil. It leads to an interesting interview with a soil expert in Acrocology. He finds that letting cows graze where crops are planted can produce healthier soil and more food production.
There is excellent cinematography following their travels across the globe comparing how important cows are, but we found the pace a little slow and repetitive. We would have liked to see Michelle Michael and Whitworth conducting more of their interviews on camera based on their incredible backgrounds and experience. But it was enlightening and a warning to all of us that we need to be more conscious of why cows are so important to human existence. Although this film moved somewhat at a bovine pace, it gave us an unusual perspective on these gentle souls who have been feeding us for so long.
Studio 410 1 Hour 27 Minutes Documentary
