Veganism

Veganism is a polarizing subject. When someone announces that they live a vegan lifestyle, the typical response this proclamation elicits is full of shock, disdain, and criticism. There are a lot of misconceptions about what veganism is and a multitude of reasons for converting to the lifestyle. The vast majority of the population is unfamiliar with the vegan lifestyle and therefore unaware of the benefits that it can provide. If more people adopted a vegan lifestyle, the individual as well as the population and the environment would benefit because a vegan lifestyle provides numerous health benefits, is more sustainable for the environment as well as the human population, and is ethically sound. A vegan diet is a diet free of any animal …show more content…
A vegan diet could aid in ending world hunger. If more people converted to a vegan diet, then fewer animal byproducts would need to be produced. The resources necessary to sustain the meat industry could instead by used to feed starving and malnourished individuals around the world. It requires ten pounds of plant protein to produce one pound of consumable beef (Fiala). If a fraction of this plant protein was diverted from the meat industry, then millions of individuals could be fed, and it would be a step towards ending world hunger (Segelken). Not only do livestock require ample amounts of plant protein that could be utilized elsewhere, they also damage the environment through overgrazing. Overgrazing harms native plants and can lead to soil erosion and soil compaction (Fleischner). If the general public reduces their meat consumption through veganism, less livestock will be necessary, and the lands that have been overgrazed can be restored to their full potential. A vegan diet also conserves more water and leads to lower greenhouse emissions, which is important due to the state of our fragile climate (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization). Vegan diets also reduce the amount of air and water pollution that is emitted, as raising animals produces dangerous toxins (Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production). Following …show more content…
Animals have the ability to experience emotions and make social connections. Animals can experience a wide array of emotions such as pain, anxiety, and fear (Grandin). Animals that are intended for consumption feel excruciating pain because the majority of them are slaughtered inhumanely (Warrick). Even the animals that are slaughtered ethically still experience a range of emotions during confinement and death. The suffering caused by the dairy industry is also reason to convert to veganism. Dairy cows are manipulated in such a way that they can produce the most milk in the shortest amount of time possible. They are confined in areas and are often subjected to a short life of suffering (Gurian-Sherman). Eggs, even the free range and cruelty free variety, still require the death of a male chick. Veganism attempts to end the exploitation of animals that many justify through the idea of speciesism. Speciesism is the belief that humans are morally superior to non-human animals (“Ethics - Animal Ethics…”). Seeing animals as the moral minority, many can rationalize the consumption of animals and animal byproducts. However, if humans are morally superior, should it not be their responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves? It is cruel and unethical to consume animals and animal byproducts when it is no longer necessary. Due to the technological innovations of today, fresh fruits