Ed Winters

Born in York, England, Ed Winters developed an early interest in animal welfare, turning vegetarian in May 2014 after a news report about a chicken truck crash and subsequently becoming vegan in March 2015 after watching the documentary *Earthlings*. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television Production from the University of Westminster, which provided him with skills he would later apply to his advocacy work. In 2016, Winters launched his YouTube channel, ‘Earthling Ed,’ quickly gaining recognition for his calm and factual approach to discussing veganism with the public. This platform, coupled with co-founding the animal rights organization Surge, propelled him into prominence as a leading voice in the animal rights movement. His viral speech, “You Will Never Look at Your Life in the Same Way Again,” has accumulated over 35 million views online, reaching thousands of students across UK universities.

Winters has demonstrated a consistent career progression, extending his activism beyond digital platforms through public speaking engagements and entrepreneurial ventures. He has delivered speeches at over one-third of UK universities and at every Ivy League college, including serving as a guest lecturer and Media & Design Fellow at Harvard University in 2022. His speaking engagements also include prominent companies such as Pinterest, LinkedIn, American Express, and Google offices in NYC, Ireland, and Zürich. In 2018, he co-founded Unity Diner, a non-profit vegan restaurant in London that directs all profits to animal causes, and in 2021, he co-founded The No Catch Co., a vegan fish and chip shop in Brighton. His creative output includes writing and co-producing the animated short film *Milk* in 2022, which won the 2023 Webby People’s Voice Award in the animation category, and *Matilda and the Brave Escape* in 2024, also a Webby People’s Voice Award winner in the Animation category and a Gold recipient at the Collision Awards. Winters has guided over 33,248 people to sign up for veganism through his content in a 12-month period and delivered 107 talks to 27,600 people within the same timeframe, further solidifying his impact.

His advocacy extends to publishing, with two bestselling books: *This Is Vegan Propaganda: (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You)* (2022) and *How to Argue With a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time)* (2023). These books provide detailed insights into the ethical and environmental arguments for veganism, serving as comprehensive guides for both seasoned vegans and skeptics. Winters’ work against fur farming also played a role in London Fashion Week’s decision to go fur-free in 2018. His sustained efforts underscore a commitment to promoting a more ethical and sustainable world through education, direct action, and community building, making him a significant figure in contemporary social movements.