Why vegan?
The environment
Not many people think of wildlife displacement, rainforest destruction,
pollution or world hunger when asked about the disadvantages of
meat production and consumption. True, there are other factors to be
considered, but there is no doubt that veganism on a large scale can make
a large difference to these problems which can only worsen if little
action is taken.
Ecological threat
The meat and dairy industries produce a large amount of waste, mostly in
the form of slurry and gases. Livestock production and slaughter are
contributing factors in polluting water, killing fish and worsening the
water quality in rivers. Ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide produced by
animals and their waste make up a significant amount of the world's total
output. Ammonia can help to form acid rain whilst the latter two gases
play a role in the greenhouse effect whereby the atmospheric temperature
is expected to rise gradually, with disastrous ecological consequences
ahead.
Tropical rainforests form one of the world's most precious ecosystems,
home to a variety of animals and plant species. In recent years, they
have come to represent the cause of the environmental movement, with
their destruction mirroring that of the planet as a whole.
Huge areas are being deliberately destroyed by humans. About one-third
of the area cleared is to pave way for cattle grazing land, not to mention
hard wood like mahogany. Once land has been cleared, it is then subjected
to overgrazing and loss in nutrient-rich topsoil over the years.
The clearing of forests also contributes to the greenhouse effect by
releasing carbon dioxide during burning over vast areas. Indeed, the
forests help to keep the planet alive by absorbing carbon dioxide and
releasing oxygen. The clearing of forests is accompanied by the
displacement of wildlife as their natural habitats are destroyed.
Economics
Producing meat costs much more than growing crops. For example,
livestock, especially cattle, require large amounts of water compared to
the growing of crops and much of the world's grains are actually fed to
animals. Demand for water and foodstuff will not decrease. More money
is spent in the form of subsidies for the meat and dairy industries
and also medical bills resulting from health problems related to
eating too much meat.
World hunger
The world's population is increasing rapidly. Although population
control measures seem to be the inevitable solution, at present, there
are already millions malnourished or starving and living under the
poverty line. Grains can feed about ten times more people if fed
directly to them, instead of being used as feed for livestock which
is then slaughtered for food. This is because grains cannot be
converted into animal protein very efficiently. Per acre of land, it
is estimated that cereals yield five times more protein than meat.
Up to 15 times as much can be obtained by growing leafy vegetables.
