Reviews

The Invisible Vegan

Reviewed by Heather Russell, Dietitian

Although I don’t recommend documentaries as a source of advice about vegan health and nutrition, The Invisible Vegan provides food for thought. It conveys powerful messages from Black vegans in North America about the complexity of eating habits and the benefits of holistic thinking in relation to lifestyle choices and activism. The Invisible Vegan reminds us that we shouldn’t underestimate the social value of food. It shows that connecting plant-based eating and culture can help people to preserve and even strengthen their sense of belonging. The documentary also highlights that a commitment to animal liberation can have a positive impact on engagement with other forms of liberation.

Although there are differences between the NHS and the American health system, we face similar public health challenges. The documentary highlights that societal changes are required to make healthier living easier for everyone, taking into account the needs of different communities. One of my favourite moments was watching people enjoying community food growing.

It was great to watch filmmaker Jasmine C Leyva talk about how going vegan helped her to develop a more positive relationship with her body and focus on how nourishing food can help you feel your best. The documentary encourages people to think of wellbeing as an essential part of effective activism. There are many other great take-away messages: • Be mindful of stereotypes. • Promote inclusive representation, so that more people can relate to vegan role models. • Focus on empowering people to make informed decisions through learning.

Find out more at theinvisiblevegan.com.

Manifesto by Dale Vince

Reviewed by Paul Appleby

Dale Vince OBE is one of the most high-profile vegans in the UK. The owner of green energy company Ecotricity, UN Climate Champion and chairperson of Forest Green Rovers FC (the world’s first all-vegan football club) is also one of the most outspoken. Dedicated “to eco warriors everywhere – past, present and future”, Manifesto is Dale Vince’s autobiography and a polemical call for action in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. In the opening chapter he urges us to “rebuild our economy in a new way, repurpose it to tackle the fundamental drivers of climate change, wildlife extinction, poor health and social inequality … to create a new system, rooted in sustainability in the widest sense of the word.” Not so much evolution as revolution.

Tracing his life from new age traveller to successful entrepreneur, Manifesto pulls no punches, placing the blame for the problems that threaten our survival on “the mass consumption of fossil fuels … and the mass consumption of animals.” What are his solutions? 100% renewable gas and electricity, electrifying all transport and, in terms of food, replacing animals with plants. Vegans will wholeheartedly agree with the last of these, but whether such simplistic solutions are practical, or always desirable, is another matter. For example, electric cars still cause particle pollution and there are concerns over the sourcing of certain rare-earth elements for their batteries and motors.

Nevertheless, you have to admire Dale Vince for his enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude. This is a man on a mission.

Ecotricity will donate £9 from every Manifesto copy sold using our referral code: VEGSOCMANIFESTO at shop.ecotricity.co.uk.