Wave of Urgency: PETA’s Plea for Coral Reefs Hits Chicago and Miami Beach

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4 min read

With a wave of urgency calling for action to protect coral reefs, PETA has placed a provocative new ad that reads, “Beef or Reef? We Can’t Have Both,” in two major cities. Near various beef restaurants in Chicago—including Al’s Beef—the ad was posted ahead of National Italian Beef Day on May 25. In Miami Beach on 14 transit shelters near meat-centric restaurants, the ad hit just before World Reef Awareness Day on June 1. Highlighting how meat consumption is a massive part of the ongoing climate catastrophe, PETA urges everyone to consider coral reefs and cows—and go vegan.

PETA's 'Beef or Reef' ad on a billboard in Chicago

Oh, Chicago: Help a Reef, Cut Out Beef

PETA supporters handed out free vegan jerky to Chicago diners headed into Al’s on Wells Street on National Italian Beef Day.

PETA's 'Beef or Reef' ad on a billboard in Chicago, with skyscrapers behind it

Our sky-high appeal nearby warns folks in the Windy City that animal agriculture is a leading cause of the climate catastrophe that’s killing coral reefs.

Dear Miami Beach, Ditch Beef

Ahead of World Reef Awareness Day, PETA plastered the ad across Miami Beach and close to the following restaurants: 1977 Fly and Grill, New Campo Argentino Steakhouse, Fresh Restaurant, Grill House, Baires Grill, Ocean Grill, Wok to Walk, A Fish Called Avalon, Smith & Wollensky, LT Steak & Seafood, and Safron Mediterranean Grill.

PETA's 'Beef or Reef' ad at a bus stop in Miami Beach

Just as in Chicago, the striking visual plea reminds everyone dining in Miami Beach that eating meat is a leading cause of the climate catastrophe that’s destroying coral reefs and to choose reefs over beef by going vegan.

The Link: Cows and Coral Reefs

Coral reefs face threats from pollution, the fishing industry, and the ongoing climate emergency, which is partly caused by animal agriculture and is raising seawater temperatures and causing coral bleaching worldwide. The reefs are dying since humans keep eating other animals, who need massive amounts of land, energy, and water and emit enormous quantities of greenhouse gases. Animal agriculture is an existential threat to the planet, and PETA is urging everyone to go vegan before it’s too late.

PETA's 'Beef or Reef? We Can't Have Both' ad

Oxford University research shows that every person who goes vegan lowers their food-related carbon footprint by up to 73%, making it the most effective way to reduce one’s negative impact on the planet. By doing so, each human also spares nearly 200 fellow animals’ lives per year. PETA offers a free vegan starter kit on our website to make the switch even simpler.

Along with caring for the environment, having compassion for other animals is crucial. Cows are playful, social animals with good memories. The mother-and-calf bond is particularly strong, and there are countless reports of mother cows who continue to call and search frantically for their babies after the calves have been taken away and sold to veal or beef farms. Every cow is someone, so be considerate and leave them and all other animals off your plate.

cow snuggling calf in the woods

What You Can Do

Help cows and coral reefs by making the environmentally conscious and kind choice: Please, go vegan. Try our free vegan starter kit, and send one to a friend while you’re at it:

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