Reading Time: 5 mins /

The Vegan Society defines veganism as a philosophy and lifestyle that aims to end all forms of exploitation and cruelty towards animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. It emphasizes the development and use of animal-free alternatives in all aspects of our lives.

Veganism has evolved from being solely a dietary choice to becoming a comprehensive lifestyle. It encompasses a broader ethical framework that extends beyond food choices and covers various aspects of daily life. While the framework primarily focuses on the rights of animals, it also includes environmental sustainability and personal well-being as consequences of this lifestyle. Veganism opposes the use of animals in circuses, zoos, aquariums, horse racing, camel wrestling, and many other areas where animals are used for human entertainment. It opposes the separation of animals from their natural habitats and the exploitation of animals for human pleasure. Many industries, such as medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals, view animals as tools for experimentation, subjecting them to various forms of torture throughout their lives. Veganism opposes all of this and advocates for the rights of animals to be respected in all areas of life, stating that animals should be free and should not be killed or used for the benefit of humans and the environment. Veganism is not just a diet; it is an ethical stance that recognizes the rights of non-human animals without discrimination.

The vegan lifestyle also demonstrates its impact through social activism. Individuals who embrace veganism are generally engaged in raising awareness, promoting animal rights, and educating others about the environmental effects of animal agriculture. They actively contribute to building a more compassionate and sustainable world by participating in peaceful protests, sharing informative content on social media, and supporting vegan-friendly initiatives.

Being "the Other" Species: Perspectives on Speciesism

Veganism provides a strong response to the pervasive speciesist belief, which is an unfair system that assigns unequal value to different animal species. It rejects the idea that humans are inherently superior to other animals. Veganism advocates for the rights and well-being of all living beings, regardless of their species, challenging the harmful ideologies of speciesism and striving to eliminate the perceptions created by these ideologies.

The speciesism confronted by veganism is similar to other forms of speciesism found in the world. This speciesist approach imposes the belief that some animals can be companions to humans, while others exist for human exploitation, which is morally contradictory. Veganism opposes this and asserts that all species have equal rights and that no species can be superior to another. Just as it is ethically wrong to use the meat of a dog or a cat as food, it is equally wrong to use the meat of a cow or a sheep. Veganism highlights the fact that all sentient beings share the capacity to experience pleasure, pain, and a range of emotions, prompting us to reassess the arbitrary distinctions we have created among animals.

Furthermore, veganism aligns with broader social justice movements by emphasizing the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression. It acknowledges the intersectionality of the fight against speciesism with other struggles against discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and ableism. Therefore, veganism is also a feminist movement. Vegans actively participate in creating a more inclusive and compassionate world where the rights and dignity of all living beings are protected, rejecting the exploitation of animals as well as any form of discrimination.

Being vegan is the best step we can take for the rights of animals. Animals are exploited and killed through industrial and traditional farming practices, depriving them of the opportunity to live out their natural lifespans. For example, the average lifespan of a cow is 20 years, but in the livestock industry, cows are typically killed at around 18 months old. A similar situation applies to chickens whose average lifespan is 8 years, but they are killed within 1-2 years in industrial operations. Male chicks are separated and killed shortly after birth because they do not lay eggs. Similarly, animals such as turkeys, pigs, ducks, geese, and rabbits raised in industrial farms only live a few months to a few years of their natural lifespan. However, in today's world, humanity does not need animals for food, entertainment, clothing, or a healthy life. All needs can be fulfilled through plant-based sources, and with advancing technologies, new alternatives can be developed every day.

Harnessing the Power of Veganism for a Sustainable Planet

Being vegan is not only about saving the lives of animals but also about the future of our planet, which is unparalleled. Animal product consumption contributes to various ecological problems such as the climate crisis, deforestation, land degradation, environmental pollution, and water scarcity. Additionally, it leads to increased carbon footprint, gradually making our planet uninhabitable. According to a study conducted at the University of Oxford, the best and only way to reduce our carbon footprint by up to 73% is to become vegan. Another study published in Climatic Change revealed that meat eaters cause approximately twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as vegans. Numerous studies and data support the positive environmental impact of veganism by mitigating climate change, conserving resources, and preserving biodiversity.

Raising billions of animals each year for human use depletes our planet's natural resources significantly. Animal agriculture is one of the sectors that consume and pollute freshwater resources the most, accounting for about 40% of global water use. Producing a 250-gram beef patty requires approximately 460 gallons of water, which is equivalent to taking 23 showers. Being vegan reduces individual water footprint by up to 55% and helps preserve global freshwater resources for future generations.

Animal farming requires vast land areas for animal rearing and feed production, leading to the destruction of rainforests, known as the Earth's lungs. This results in increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Animal agriculture not only causes deforestation but also contributes to habitat loss and species extinction. On the other hand, transitioning to a plant-based diet has been suggested to reduce global land use for feed production by 76% and enable the restoration of natural habitats, thus preserving biodiversity. A study published in Climatic Change found that plant-based protein production requires significantly less land, water, and energy compared to animal-based protein production. Transitioning from an average American diet to a vegan diet is estimated to reduce land use by 76%, water use by 50%, and energy consumption by 43%. Being vegan is, therefore, not only a life-saving choice for animals but also a highly sustainable choice for our planet.

A Cruelty-Free Fashion Industry Is Possible, More Than Ever

Veganism not only promotes ethical food choices but also encourages sustainable innovations in the fashion industry. By embracing cruelty-free alternatives, the fashion world can reduce its impact on animal welfare and the environment. Research indicates that veganism stimulates the emergence and facilitation of innovative materials and practices that prioritize sustainability, compassion, and style in the fashion industry.

Animal-derived materials such as leather, fur, and wool have long been prevalent in the fashion industry. Animal-based fashion production involves the use of industrial farming practices that subject millions of animals to unhealthy living conditions, physical torture, and premature deaths. However, the rise of veganism has facilitated the development of innovative alternatives, such as plant-based leathers made from various plants like apples, corn, pineapples, bananas, and cacti, as well as their by-products. These materials, which cause no harm to sentient beings, are vital for preserving animal welfare, protecting the planet, and ensuring the well-being of workers involved in their production. When people choose products that use plant-based leather instead of animal leather, they contribute to less water and energy consumption, fair production practices, the preservation of animal lives, the preservation of biodiversity, and the use of renewable/recyclable materials.

The positive impact of veganism on the fashion industry goes beyond material and production practices. It extends to the preservation of animal habitats, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the conservation of resources. The fashion industry, which has a notorious environmental footprint and is the second-largest industrial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, can potentially become a driving force for positive change by embracing vegan principles. Vegan fashion promotes responsible consumption, encouraging brands to prioritize quality, longevity, circularity, and animal welfare over fast fashion trends.

In summary, veganism advocates for living with animals in a manner that respects their freedom and rights. It addresses the impact of animal use on issues such as the climate crisis, deforestation, and environmental pollution. It challenges the fallacy of speciesism and the notion that animals exist solely for human service. From our choices in footwear to food, entertainment, and cosmetics, replacing every animal product with a plant-based alternative and causing no harm to animals is the aim. Taking the first step together and reevaluating our choices can lead us towards a cruelty-free and sustainable future.

Sharing a Exploitation-Free and Sustainable Life is Possible!

 

Resources

• "What Is Veganism?" The Vegan Society, www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/definition-veganism. 
• Dinu, Monica et al. "Vegetarian, Vegan Diets and Multiple Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 57, no. 17, 2017, pp. 3640-3649.
• Satija, Ambika et al. "Healthful and Unhealthful Plant-Based Diets and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in U.S. Adults." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 70, no. 4, 2017, pp. 411-422.
• Steinfeld, Henning et al. Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006.
• Springmann, Marco et al. "Options for Keeping the Food System within Environmental Limits." Nature, vol. 562, no. 7728, 2018, pp. 519-525.
• "What Is Vegan Leather?" PETA, www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-clothing/what-is-vegan-leather. 
• Fletcher, Kate and Tham, Mathilda. "The Impact of Fashion on Biodiversity." Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change, Laurence King Publishing, 2018, pp. 176-183.
• "The Future of Vegan Fashion: Sustainable and Ethical." Good On You, 2021, goodonyou.eco/the-future-of-vegan-fashion-sustainable-ethical/ 
• Scarborough, Peter et al. "Dietary Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Meat-Eaters, Fish-Eaters, Vegetarians and Vegans in the UK." Climatic Change, vol. 125, no. 2, 2014, pp. 179-192.
• Poore, Joseph and Nemecek, Thomas. "Reducing Food's Environmental Impacts through Producers and Consumers." Science, vol. 360, no. 6392, 2018, pp. 987-992.
• Davis, Nicola. "Avoiding Meat and Dairy Is ‘Single Biggest Way’ to Reduce Your Impact on Earth." The Guardian, 2018, www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth. 
• Ryder, Richard D. "Speciesism: A Theory of Moral Status." Environmental Values, vol. 2, no. 3, 1993, pp. 229-243.
• Francione, Gary L. "Speciesism and Moral Status." Metaphilosophy, vol. 44, no. 3, 2013, pp. 371-391.
• Joy, Melanie. "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism." Animal Studies Repository, 2011, pp. 1-30.
• Leung, Tessa. "Veganism: More Than Just a Diet." Earth.com, www.earth.com/news/veganism-more-than-just-a-diet. 
• Kumar, Neha. "Veganism: A Growing Lifestyle Movement." PETA India, www.petaindia.com/blog/veganism-growing-lifestyle-movement.