The Fight to End Factory Farming by 2040
What if one of the biggest solutions to climate change wasn’t about electric cars or renewable energy, but about what we choose to eat every single day?
In this thought-provoking episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss sits down with Matthew Dominguez, U.S. Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), to discuss the urgent connection between factory farming, climate change, food insecurity, and animal suffering.
Matthew shares how growing up on a cattle ranch shaped his perspective on animals and why his journey into environmental law ultimately led him to dedicate his life to animal advocacy. Today, he helps lead one of the world’s largest and oldest farm animal protection organizations with a bold mission: ending factory farming by 2040.
Why Factory Farming Is a Global Crisis
Throughout the conversation, Matthew explains how factory farming impacts nearly every major issue facing society today, including climate change, water pollution, food shortages, public health concerns, and environmental destruction.
He discusses the startling inefficiency of feeding crops to animals instead of directly feeding people and reveals how current agricultural systems consume enormous amounts of land, water, energy, and taxpayer subsidies.
One of the most eye-opening moments of the episode centers around the idea that our daily food choices may be one of the most powerful environmental actions we can take.
The Psychology Behind Change
Cheryl and Matthew also dive into the emotional and psychological challenges surrounding conversations about animal agriculture. They discuss why people often become defensive, how awareness campaigns can open hearts and minds, and why progress often happens one step at a time.
Matthew shares why welfare reforms matter, even when they are not perfect solutions, and how improving conditions for billions of animals can create momentum toward broader systemic change.
The discussion also explores how movements grow through education, compassion, coalition-building, and practical action rather than shame or division.
Food, Climate, and Consumer Power
The episode highlights CIWF’s “Food Not Feed” campaign, which focuses on the inefficiency of using edible crops to feed livestock while millions of people worldwide face hunger.
Matthew explains how consumers “vote with their dollars” every time they shop or dine out and why individual choices collectively influence corporations, policymakers, and the future of food systems.
This episode offers an honest, grounded, and hopeful conversation about what it will truly take to create a more compassionate and sustainable future for animals, people, and the planet.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] Death by a thousand cuts
[06:00] Ending animal suffering by 2040 is the vision
[09:00] People are waking up to climate extremes
[12:00] Comfort won’t solve the problems with animal exploitation
[18:30] Famine can be minimized by changing animal agriculture
[22:00] Most people in the U.S. consume far too much protein and food
[27:00] Many people choose to ignore the pain and suffering
[29:30] Change begins where you reside in this moment
About Matthew Dominguez
Matthew Dominguez serves as the U.S. Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming USA, where he leads national efforts to end factory farming and advance a more humane, sustainable food system. Since stepping into the role in December 2024, he has been at the forefront of driving impactful change for farmed animals across the United States.
In this capacity, Matthew provides strategic leadership for high-level campaigns, policy advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships designed to challenge industrial animal agriculture and promote higher welfare standards. He works closely with a passionate and skilled team to elevate public awareness, influence corporate practices, and support legislative initiatives that prioritize animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and public health.
With a strong commitment to systemic change, Matthew focuses on building alliances with stakeholders across the food industry, nonprofit sector, and advocacy community. His leadership emphasizes practical, results-driven approaches that not only expose the realities of factory farming but also accelerate the adoption of compassionate and sustainable alternatives.
Based in New York City, Matthew is dedicated to reshaping the future of food by championing policies and practices that reflect both ethical responsibility and long-term global sustainability. His work continues to play a vital role in advancing a food system that respects animals, supports human health, and protects the planet.
Learn more at: www.ciwf.com
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. She is also the founder of the Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries summit, designed to empower those involved with sanctuaries to create sustainable funding streams.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Cheryl is dedicated to ending factory farming and supporting underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she recently added Vystopia Transformation to her resume. The Vystopia work, created
by psychologist Clare Mann, focuses on the emotional impact many people experience after becoming aware of animal suffering and exploitation. The training offers tools for resilience, communication, and emotional well-being while continuing to advocate for positive change.
Through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, Cheryl inspires young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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