I think it’s an understatement to say that food means a lot to many people. One of humanity’s big loves, food is central to our lives and not just because it’s essential to keeping us alive. It’s central to our social interactions, has positive effects on mental health both in the making and consumption of it and forms people’s cultural identity. When you take this into account it’s understandable that the restriction of a vegan diet is inexplicable to many people.
Veganism was founded in 1944 by a group of vegetarians that decided to take their values to a new extreme. This meant cutting out all animal products from their diet including all dairy products and replacing these with plant-based substitutes. Not only this but any animal commodities were eliminated too such as leather and wool in clothing. For many already this is sounds like an impossible task.
Through no form of coherent reasoning other than my friend telling me I should try it I decided to give veganism a go. After many false starts, in which I accidentally drank milk and then ate butter, I lasted a full two weeks. Shockingly bad I know. While short-lived, the entire experience was very surreal. It opened my eyes to a world of issues surrounding the conversation on veganism I was previously unaware of, especially its impacts on sustainability for our planet.
Most remarkable from the start was the meaning and connotations that were portrayed in people’s reaction to the simple remark “I am vegan”. Some portrayed a sense of annoyance, others a strange kind of incredulity mixed in with pitiful awe. In adopting the vegan diet my perspective around the stigma surrounding veganism changed completely. This made me realise that for many the idea of veganism and more broadly sustainable means of living which encompasses the ethos of vegan values remains a low priority within society.
Veganism has many positive impacts on sustainability and the fight against climate change. The focus around plant-based diets increases agricultural efficiency reducing the destruction of ecosystems for changing land use. What’s more eliminating the support for the meat industry, which contributes towards 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, leads to reduction in topsoil erosion, in the production of greenhouse gases and in groundwater contamination. As individuals a vegan diet drastically reduces the carbon footprint you leave behind. In essence many argue that simple changes to your diet can preserve the planet for future generations to come.
When provided with these kinds of benefits, especially as we face unprecedented and devastating climate change, it’s hard to comprehend why everyone wouldn’t make the lifestyle change. However, another issue surrounding the vegan question is the health risks. Is it truly natural to cut out two of the four food groups needed to have a balanced and healthy relationship with food? The vegan diet requires a commitment that many not only don’t have time for but can’t afford.
Often meat and dairy substitutes are more expensive making them inaccessible to many working families. In addition to this some of these expensive foods for example avocado, a staple in a vegan’s diet, have their own negative impact on the environment. In this case, avocados put intense strains on water supply and management of this resource. What’s more the fragility of a vegan diet with regards to acquiring the correct vitamins lead people to question whether a vegan diet is really worth the hassle. I myself am testament to that. After two weeks I decided to transition back to a vegetarian diet to avoid the health implications involved in lacking essential nutrition on a vegan diet.
When it comes to the planet and veganism, the question remains a moral one. Do you feel comfortable accepting your responsibility in the harming of the planet as a collective society? Or do you take individual action to preserve the planet for future generations? And is this action effective? Personally, I believe that each individual, owing to their own unique background, should adapt to a sustainable way of life that suits them. If this means that for some a vegan diet is not possible that cannot be seen as immoral. The bigger solutions to climate change and the future of our planet must first be tackled systemically before individuals are burdened with those decisions.
Written by Mathilde Corcoran, 1st year Geography student
DISCLAIMER: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR ONLY AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OR OPINIONS OF COMPASS MAGAZINE AS A WHOLE OR THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY