It is estimated that around 79 million people are eating plant-based foods, or are vegans, which is pretty impressive if you think of it.
And, although many people, mainly non vegans, think this is just a trend, something that is “fashion” or “cool” and that it will soon pass, like any other trends out there, it is in fact, a necessary change we would have to make in the current world we are living in if we want to have a better future.
The massive depletion in animal species diversity, the vast land destruction, climate change, high rise human and animal diseases, the increase of environmental pollution…and so many more factors, make a vegan lifestyle IMPERATIVE to slow down and reduce this massive 6th extinction we are facing right now.
So, veganism, despite what “meat eaters” suggest, is far from being a trend.
It is here to stay, or at least, that’s what I am hoping for. During my many travels and my studies, I’ve seen devastating effects because of human activity, beautiful beaches like the ones found in Maldives, were filled with plastic bottles and fishing gear on the shore, most coral I saw were dead and water was filled with tiny plastic particles and other floating debris of non natural materials. Marine life will eat this causing them to die because they are unable to digest it, creating a blockage into their digestive system ending up in death from starvation.
The oceans are crucial not just for marine life but for life on land, it provides us with at least 50% of the oxygen we produce, not to mention that the oceans provide food for a lot of people too.
But, that said, as fish are consuming food contaminated by us, and we then eat these fish, we get contaminated as well, which creates this destructive vicious circle with devastating consequences.
On land, with the intensive farming, we destroy massive amounts of land that is meant to be the habitat for wildlife, yet, we use the land to grow feed for livestock and the other land used is to keep these massive farms for livestock. There is not much land left for wildlife to live in therefor wild animals are forced to go into human villages looking for food that was once present in the environment.
Humans then try to protect themselves of these wild animals by either killing them or creating fences, ending in wildlife death once again. Ecosystems that depend of all animals, collapse with devastating consequences once again.
So, for society, for ethical reasons, for the environment, veganism is much more than a trend, it’s our future. If you check google trends, you can clearly see the great rise, to give you an example, there are about 200 news vegans daily and about 2000 new vegetarians…I’m guessing because people still have a pretty difficult time ditching dairy and eggs or simply because they thing eating these items do not cause much harm as it does not look like “flesh” itself….hopefully soon will vegetarians realise that still consuming dairy and eggs actually is harming more and that there is no real difference eating these products than a steak in regards to animal welfare and climate change.But, it’s a start for sure, everybody that I know that was once vegetarian has become vegan, as it’s juts one more step to take.
And with all the vegan options we have today for cheese and “egg” like substitutes, is it really that difficult to cut off these products? No, not at all!
Sales of plant-based alternatives have risen up to 30% between the years 2017 and 2018 to give you an example. Large companies are investigating more into the creation of meat substitutes that look like the “real thing” without harming animals and so far, the products are amazing (ok, maybe not all of them, but they are getting so much better !)
For this and so much more, if you are reading this I suppose you are vegan or thinking of becoming one, which I really hope you do….and in case you need help for this fascinating transition click the link below and I will gladly help you get there!
Let’s all make a difference and become part of the solution!
Eleonore XX