Why Vegan?

by C Storey Lower Sixth

What comes to mind when you think about vegans? Is it long-hair, peace signs, tofu and a bland vegetable diet? Or is it unrealistic, expensive, and self-righteous? But what about the view that a vegan lifestyle is supportive of innocent animals, and tries to stop them from enduring inhumane treatments? Or, that vegans don’t want to exploit any living being, and want to try and save the planet, despite some disagreement from politicians that the world is dying. It doesn’t sound too bad when you put it like that, does it?

You may now be wondering: “Yes, killing animals is cruel, but I like steak and chicken.” As did I.

Some vegans may want everyone in the world to eat a plant-based diet, and have the cows and pigs free to roam wherever they want. However, I as well as many others, recognise that this will not be happening anywhere in the near future, but want to influence others to make small, yet sustainable changes for our future. The Meat-Free Monday trend at Pipers is obviously making a difference in our consumption of animal produce - but how about making five dinners a week plant-based? If we all tried this, hopefully we could try and reduce the

1.5 billion pigs killed each year for meat. What about trying a nut milk instead of cow’s milk, which isn’t intended for us, but the calf? But what are vegans doing to protest, and what are their reasons? One example is from 2019, where up to 400 protesters from Animal Rebellion camped out in Smithfield Market in London, to challenge the 800 year-old meat market to change its ways. This group was part of the Climate Change protests, which already shows us some of the reasons for outcry against the market. Agriculture is responsible for about 9% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, and that it is one of the main reasons for deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. The protesters also took a moment to remember ‘all the animals who lost their lives’. Other reasons for protest are from a more selfish point of view, reasons which directly affect humans. You may not be aware that a third of the world’s grain is used for feeding livestock, and just think of how much that grain would benefit humans without access to food. Also, especially in red meat, there is a huge amount of saturated fat, which can increase cholesterol, leading to a higher risk of some cancers, like bowel cancer. By simply reducing your intake of red meat, or swapping it for legumes, you can instantly drop mortality rate by 5-7%. I asked at the beginning, to think about what comes to mind when you think about vegans. Hopefully, there is a changed impression of what they are, and what they represent and fight for. Vegan rebellion is about fighting for the liberty of animals, and stopping the cruelty and maltreatment of innocent animals. With the words of the vegan, Woody Harrelson, “In this world that is spinning madly out of control, we have to realise that we’re all related. We have to try to live harmoniously.” We can all make changes. And we will for the animals, and the planet’s future.