Vegan Diet: Saving Animals, Planet, And Your Health

Veganism is a lifestyle and diet that saves animals, the environment, and money. Research shows that a vegan diet is the single biggest way to reduce one's environmental impact. A plant-based diet helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve water and land, and save lives. It also saves money in health costs and emissions savings. In addition, veganism can help prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes.

Water

Agriculture's Water Usage

The agricultural sector has the highest demand for freshwater, with farming (both animal and plant) accounting for about 70% of water used globally, up to 92% of freshwater. In the US, agriculture accounts for 80% of consumptive water use, and more than 90% in the Western States.

Animal Agriculture's Impact

Animal agriculture, specifically, has a significant impact on water usage. Globally, over 83 billion animals are reared and slaughtered for the food industry each year, and this industrial-scale farming has detrimental effects on the environment. According to the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the livestock industry is the largest user of freshwater. This water is used for drinking and cleaning the animals, but the majority is used to grow the feed that these animals eat.

The water footprint of meat production is substantial. It takes nearly 2,000 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef. In comparison, tofu requires eight times less freshwater, and chickpeas need about a third of the water required for chicken production. Studies show that someone following a plant-based diet uses five times less water than someone with a meat-based diet.

Adopting a vegan diet can lead to significant water savings. A meat-free diet can cut our water footprint by up to 55%. For example, the United Nations Environment Assembly reports that plant-based burgers require 75-99% less water than regular beef burgers. On a larger scale, it is estimated that the grain used to raise animals in the US alone could feed 800 million people, and this feed grain represents enough water to fill almost eight family-sized Jacuzzis.

By switching to a vegan diet, we can help address the pressing issue of water scarcity and ensure that this precious resource is available to meet the basic needs of people worldwide.

Land

A vegan diet is the single most effective way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet, and one of the most significant ways it achieves this is through land preservation. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of land degradation, and by cutting out animal products, individuals can significantly reduce their land use.

Research has shown that a vegan diet reduces an individual's land use by up to 75%. This is because animal agriculture is incredibly land-intensive. According to the Nuffield Council, a meat-eater's diet requires 17 times more land than a vegetarian's. The Oxford University analysis of farming found that 80% of the planet's farmland is used to rear livestock, with beef requiring 36 times more land than plant-based proteins.

If everyone adopted a vegan diet, we could free up land equivalent to the combined area of Australia, China, the EU, and the US. This would not only reduce our environmental impact but also help preserve wild habitats, which are currently being lost to agriculture at an alarming rate. According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), our appetite for meat places an "enormous strain on our natural resources and is a driving force behind wide-scale biodiversity loss."

The impact of animal agriculture on land is not just about the amount of space required but also the quality of that land. Animal farming has been linked to desertification, deforestation, and poor soil quality. The intensive farming methods used in animal agriculture can result in soil degradation and pollution, further reducing the quality of our land.

By contrast, plant-based diets require significantly less land and produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For example, research has shown that simply choosing beans instead of beef could free up 42% of US cropland. This reduction in land use would not only benefit the environment but also help address world hunger, as the land and resources currently used to feed livestock could be redirected towards growing food for humans.

Greenhouse gas emissions

A vegan diet can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial in the fight against climate change. Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to these emissions, with livestock responsible for 18% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Methane and nitrous oxide, which have a much higher global warming potential than CO2, are among the gases emitted by animal agriculture.

Research has shown that a vegan diet could reduce an individual's carbon footprint from food by up to 73%. If everyone adopted a vegan diet, global farmland use could be reduced by more than 75%, freeing up land equivalent in size to the US, China, the EU, and Australia combined. This reduction in farmland would also result in a significant decrease in emissions, as agriculture is responsible for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, with animal agriculture accounting for 80% of that.

The impact of a vegan diet on greenhouse gas emissions is not limited to farmland use. The production of meat, especially beef, requires a large amount of feed, which demands significant natural resources and contributes to emissions. Additionally, the emissions generated by the production of half a pound of beef are equivalent to driving a car 9.8 miles, while producing the same amount of potatoes results in emissions equivalent to driving 0.17 miles.

The environmental benefits of a vegan diet extend beyond greenhouse gas emissions. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of water pollution, with 70-90% of freshwater pollution in western countries linked to this industry. A vegan diet would also preserve water resources, as meat and dairy products are the most significant agricultural water users.

Overall, a vegan diet is a powerful tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. It addresses multiple sources of emissions and pollution, freeing up resources and reducing the environmental impact of the food system.

Wildlife

A vegan diet can have a significant positive impact on wildlife. Firstly, animal agriculture is the leading cause of global deforestation, with farmers setting fire to trees to clear land for grazing animals and growing crops to feed them. This deforestation contributes to climate change, removing the valuable carbon dioxide absorption and storage that trees provide. By reducing the demand for animal products, veganism helps to protect precious wildlife habitats, such as those in the Amazon.

Secondly, animal agriculture is an inefficient use of resources, including water. Agriculture accounts for about 70% of freshwater use, with meat and dairy products leading the way in agricultural water consumption. For example, producing just one pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water. By contrast, producing plant-based foods requires significantly less water. A study estimated that if the United States cut animal product consumption in half, overall food production would require 37% less water. This reduced water usage means more water is available for wildlife, especially in regions facing water scarcity.

Thirdly, animal agriculture occupies a large proportion of Earth's landmass, with animal products having a large environmental footprint on croplands. A shift towards plant-based diets could, therefore, reduce the amount of land needed for food production, preserving natural habitats for wildlife. For example, a study projected that if Americans ate more beans and less beef, 42% of cropland could be freed up.

Finally, veganism helps to combat animal cruelty, which is often associated with intensive animal farming practices. To meet the ever-increasing demand for animal products, farm animals are often kept in small cages and drugged to get fatter, grow faster, and produce more milk. By reducing the demand for these products, veganism can help alleviate the suffering of farm animals, which are also considered part of wildlife.

Money

There are many ways in which a vegan diet can save you money. Firstly, it is a common misconception that veganism is an expensive lifestyle choice. While there are certain vegan products that do cost more, a vegan diet does not have to be more expensive overall. In fact, many of the cheapest foods available are vegan, and they are often good for you, too.

Groceries

One of the biggest ways a vegan diet can save you money is on your grocery bill. Meat and dairy products tend to be expensive, so by cutting these out, you can save a lot of money. For example, one source states that they used to spend around $22 per week on meat products and $6.50 on eggs and dairy. By switching to a vegan diet, they were able to reduce their weekly food bill by $15, which adds up to $64 a month or $768 a year.

You can make additional savings by buying in bulk. Staples such as beans, grains, nuts and seeds are often available in the bulk section of grocery stores and can be purchased at a lower cost per unit. Frozen fruit and vegetables are another cheap option, and they are just as nutritious as fresh produce.

Eating Out

Veganism can also save you money when eating out at restaurants or fast-food chains. Vegan dishes tend to be cheaper than meat options because raw plant ingredients usually cost less than meat. So, if you eat out two or three times a week, you can save around $6 by choosing vegan meals.

Health

Finally, a vegan diet can save you money in the long run by improving your health. Research has shown that a vegan diet can help to prevent or improve conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. This means fewer medical bills and a reduced risk of costly chronic illnesses.

Overall, a vegan diet has the potential to save you a significant amount of money each year, and it is also better for the environment and animal welfare.

Frequently asked questions