Just a few decades ago, the term “vegan” was largely unknown to most people, often associated with fringe movements and extreme diets. However, in recent years, veganism has gained significant momentum and is becoming increasingly mainstream.
So, what exactly is veganism? At its core, veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to minimize harm to animals. Vegans strive to avoid any form of animal exploitation, extending beyond dietary choices to encompass clothing, products, and activities.
This means abstaining from consuming meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and any products derived from animals. They also avoid wearing materials like leather, wool, silk, and fur. Ideally, vegans aim to steer clear of products containing animal-derived ingredients or those tested on animals. Furthermore, they refrain from participating in activities that exploit or harm animals, such as animal rides or races.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that living a completely harm-free life is virtually impossible in our current world. Many essential medicines undergo animal testing, and the production of plant-based foods can still impact insects and wildlife. Despite these limitations, vegans do their utmost to minimize harm to animals within the constraints of modern society.
The origins of veganism
Although the term “vegan” emerged in the UK during the 20th century, the principles it represents have a rich history spanning thousands of years.
In 1944, Donald Watson, a vegetarian who also refrained from consuming dairy, felt the need for a word to describe individuals who shared his lifestyle. He coined the term “vegan,” combining the first three and last two letters of “vegetarian.” Later, in 1949, Leslie J Cross, former vice president of the Vegan Society, defined veganism as “the principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man.”
However, Watson and Cross were not the pioneers of anti-animal exploitation. Contrary to the common misconception that veganism is solely a white and Western concept, its roots can be traced back to diverse cultures across the globe.
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) advocated for vegetarianism as early as the 5th or 6th century BC. Around the same time, Hinduism and Jainism, two religions still prevalent today, also promoted meat-free diets.
Even earlier, around 500 BC, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos championed kindness towards animals and adopted a vegetarian lifestyle himself. He also imparted these ethical teachings to his followers.
Why do people go vegan?
Today, veganism transcends borders and demographics, with vegans found across the globe, representing diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities. It’s a rapidly growing movement, gaining traction in numerous countries.
In recent years, there’s been a remarkable surge in vegan food options, making it more accessible than ever to embrace this lifestyle.
While people adopt veganism for various reasons, the core principle of the movement remains a steadfast commitment to ending the exploitation of animals for human purposes.
As previously highlighted, being vegan entails abstaining from animal products in all facets of life. For most individuals, this commitment stems from a deep-rooted belief in animal rights and a desire to live in alignment with those values.
Benefits of veganism: animal rights
Globally, it is estimated that around 92 billion land animals are killed for food annually, with an additional two trillion fish also meeting a similar fate.
Animals raised for food endure immense suffering. Approximately 70 percent of farmed animals worldwide are subjected to the harsh conditions of factory farms, a figure that rises to 85 percent in the UK and 99 percent in the USA. These animals are often confined to cramped spaces, unable to engage in natural behaviors, and may never experience the outdoors.
While factory farming represents a particularly cruel aspect of animal agriculture, vegan opposition to the industry extends beyond this practice. Vegans fundamentally oppose the use of animals for food, regardless of the farming methods employed.
Vegans hold the belief that it is inherently wrong to raise and kill animals for food, regardless of the circumstances. While there may be exceptions for communities reliant on animal meat for survival, this does not apply to most people globally.
Vegans recognize that all animals, regardless of their upbringing, are denied the opportunity to live a natural life and are ultimately killed against their will. They firmly believe that animals possess an inherent right to life on their own terms and refuse to participate in practices that violate this principle.
Benefits of veganism: the environment
A growing number of individuals are transitioning to plant-based diets, primarily motivated by environmental concerns.
Animal agriculture stands as one of the most environmentally damaging industries, contributing to at least 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with some estimates suggesting an even higher figure.
Moreover, livestock farming is a major driver of deforestation, as vast areas of land are cleared to accommodate animals and their feed. It’s estimated that animal agriculture is responsible for approximately 91 percent of Amazon rainforest destruction.
Additionally, animal farming has been identified as the leading cause of biodiversity loss, a critical environmental crisis. A 2021 UN report emphasized the need to shift towards “plant-heavy” diets to address this issue.
Livestock farming significantly contributes to resource depletion, as vast amounts of grains and fresh water are needed to sustain the animals. It’s estimated that farmed animals consume about one-third of the world’s water supply. Moreover, while soy consumption is often associated with Amazon deforestation, it’s primarily used to feed livestock, not for human consumption. A staggering 77 percent of the world’s soy is fed to animals, while only a mere seven percent is used to produce tofu, soy milk, and other human food products.
Benefits of veganism: health
Health concerns are a significant factor for many individuals who choose to embrace a plant-based diet. Research has linked animal product consumption to an increased risk of various diseases, whereas fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods are known to promote better health outcomes.
Processed pig meat, including ham, bacon, and salami, has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, putting it in the same category as tobacco smoking and asbestos.
Red meat consumption has been associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while dairy has been linked to certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.
Adopting a plant-based diet can also aid in weight management, lower cholesterol levels, and help individuals manage chronic illnesses. Many people report increased energy levels after transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle.
Dr. Shireen Kassam, a consultant hematologist and honorary senior lecturer at King’s College Hospital in London, posits that the National Health Service (NHS) could save over £30 billion annually if the UK population embraced a vegan diet.
Veganism and B12
While veganism offers numerous health benefits, some contend that the diet is unnatural due to the limited plant-based sources of vitamin B12.
In today’s world, B12 is primarily found in animal products like meat and dairy. However, this doesn’t imply that consuming these products is natural. B12 is a vitamin produced by bacteria, primarily found in the guts of animals and released through their waste. It also exists naturally in soil, which wild animals ingest while consuming plants.
Early humans likely obtained B12 directly from the soil through foraged foods. However, this is no longer feasible in the modern world due to intensive farming practices and soil degradation. Supermarket produce, particularly when washed, lacks the B12 content that naturally grown produce once had. Similarly, most farmed animals don’t obtain B12 from soil and are supplemented with injections or fortified feed. This means that critics of veganism for “unnatural” B12 sources often indirectly consume B12 through the same means.
Given its importance for optimal health, vegans must ensure they receive their recommended daily dose of B12 through supplements or fortified foods.
What’s the difference between vegan and plant-based?
Some individuals who choose plant-based diets for environmental or health reasons may not identify as fully vegan. While they abstain from or significantly reduce animal products in their diet, they may not extend this philosophy to other areas of their lives.
Those following a “plant-based” lifestyle generally avoid animal products in their food choices, but they might not necessarily avoid wearing animal-derived clothing or using products tested on animals. They may also participate in or support activities involving the use of animals for entertainment, such as circuses or animal shows, which vegans actively boycott.
What’s the difference between vegan and vegetarian?
While veganism evolved from the broader concept of vegetarianism, the two lifestyles have distinct differences today.
In essence, vegetarians abstain from consuming the flesh of any animal, including fish and insects. They also avoid products derived from animal slaughter, such as gelatin, animal rennet, and meat-based stock.
However, vegetarians often include eggs, dairy, honey, and other animal-derived products in their diet. These are considered acceptable because they don’t involve the direct killing of animals.
It’s important to note that not all vegetarians adhere to the same dietary restrictions. Some may choose to exclude certain animal products based on personal preferences or ethical considerations.
Vegetarians typically avoid wearing fur, and some may also opt out of wearing leather. However, materials like wool and cashmere are generally considered acceptable within the vegetarian lifestyle.
Why don’t vegans eat milk and eggs?
One of the key distinctions between vegans and vegetarians lies in the decision to abstain from consuming animal milk (including cheese) and eggs. Vegans avoid these products due to the inherent animal exploitation involved in their production.
Dairy cows are raised against their will and endure immense suffering. They are forcibly impregnated annually through artificial insemination, and their calves are taken away shortly after birth to enable human consumption of their milk. This separation often causes significant distress to both mother and calf.
Similarly, hens in the egg industry are selectively bred to produce an unnatural number of eggs, around 300 per year, compared to the natural 12. This excessive egg production takes a toll on their bodies, leading to issues like osteoporosis and calcium deficiency. Many hens are confined to cages their entire lives, while even “free-range” systems often involve cramped barns housing thousands of birds.
Furthermore, both chickens and cows used in the egg and dairy industries eventually meet the same fate in the slaughterhouse.
Limits of veganism
As discussed earlier, there are limits to how much a vegan can completely eliminate harm to animals. We live in a world that isn’t fully vegan, and as a result, numerous foods and products involve direct or indirect animal exploitation.
Some individuals mistakenly claim that foods like avocados and almonds aren’t vegan due to their reliance on migratory beekeeping practices. Similarly, some argue that veganism is futile because crop harvesting often results in the unintentional killing of animals.
While it’s true that indirect animal harm can occur in most forms of agriculture, including plant-based farming, it’s unrealistic for vegans to avoid all such instances. Therefore, vegans strive to do their utmost to minimize harm to animals within the practical constraints of their lives.
What is a flexitarian?
Flexitarianism, a relatively recent term, describes individuals who predominantly adhere to a plant-based diet but occasionally incorporate meat or other animal products.
This flexible approach to eating is gaining immense popularity worldwide, with approximately one in four consumers globally identifying as flexitarian.
Vegan fashion
Many materials commonly found in high-street and designer brands are not suitable for vegans. While fur, leather, and suede are widely recognized as animal-derived, some less obvious materials also fall into this category. Vegans abstain from wearing wool, cashmere, mohair, silk, and shearling, as these materials are obtained through the exploitation of animals.
These materials are all products of animal exploitation, often involving the farming of animals in conditions where they may suffer pain, mutilation, and even death.
In the wool industry, for instance, lambs routinely undergo tail docking and castration without pain relief. Additionally, farmers are incentivized to shear sheep quickly, sometimes leading to injuries and wounds during the shearing process.
The silk industry is no less cruel, as silkworms are farmed and frequently boiled alive for the extraction of silk threads.
Vegan beauty
Unlike fashion, identifying vegan beauty products can be more challenging. It’s not always transparent whether a specific brand or product adheres to vegan standards.
Many skincare, makeup, and hair care products contain animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax or lanolin. Additionally, even products that don’t contain animal ingredients may still be subjected to animal testing.
Vegan beauty, in contrast, refers to products that are both free of animal-derived ingredients and manufactured using cruelty-free processes. This means that no animals are harmed or exploited at any stage of product development or testing.
Notable and celebrity vegans
The vegan movement has experienced significant growth in recent years, with many celebrities lending their voices to advocate for its principles.
Notable figures who embrace a vegan lifestyle include Joaquin Phoenix, Sadie Sink, Billie Eilish, Natalie Portman, Ricky Gervais, and Alicia Silverstone, among others. Their influence helps raise awareness and normalize veganism in mainstream culture.
Beyond celebrities, the animal rights movement boasts influential voices like Earthling Ed, Genesis Butler, and Joey Carbstrong. These activists tirelessly campaign for animal welfare and ethical treatment, inspiring others to consider the impact of their choices on animals and the environment.
The future of veganism
Overwhelming evidence indicates that our current agricultural system is unsustainable. A global shift towards plant-based eating is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change. A 2018 University of Oxford study concluded that Western countries need to drastically reduce beef consumption by 90 percent to avert environmental catastrophe.
While a plant-based future seems inevitable, it doesn’t necessarily mean everyone will adopt a fully vegan lifestyle.
Klaus Mitchell, the founder of Plant Based News, introduced the concept of “collective veganism,” defined as a “practical reality in a collective sense.” He acknowledged that agricultural reforms in developing countries will take time, and some communities might continue to rely on animal farming, perhaps out of necessity. However, he emphasized that this doesn’t contradict the core definition of veganism: to minimize, as far as practicable, all forms of animal suffering. If a small portion of the population needs to farm animals, it doesn’t inherently clash with the vegan ethos.
