Vegan World: Impact Of A Global Vegan Diet

The world going vegan is an interesting hypothetical scenario with potentially far-reaching consequences. Firstly, it would have a significant impact on the environment, with global food-related CO2 emissions potentially dropping by 68% within 15 years. This massive reduction in emissions is largely due to the substantial contribution of the meat industry to greenhouse gases, with meat and dairy making up 60% of the carbon footprint of food production. However, a vegan diet is not the only way to reduce these emissions, as regenerative farming practices can also play a role. Secondly, a vegan diet may have mixed effects on public health. While it could lead to a reduced risk of certain diseases and potentially save millions of lives worldwide, it could also result in deficiencies in certain essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamins A, D, and B12, and specific fatty acids. Therefore, careful dietary planning would be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition. Lastly, the impact on animals and wildlife should be considered. A sudden shift to veganism could lead to abrupt changes in animal farming practices, with farmers adjusting by breeding and raising fewer animals. However, the fate of existing farm animals and wildlife populations would depend on various factors, and they may be abandoned, slaughtered, or sent to sanctuaries.

There would be a negative effect on public health, with people deficient in various nutrients

If everyone followed a vegan diet, there would be a negative effect on public health, with people deficient in various nutrients.

Calcium, vitamins A and D, B12, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic fatty acids

According to a study published by the US National Academy of Sciences, if everyone turned vegan, many people would be deficient in various nutrients. The researchers found that the supply of some important nutrients that we get from animal products would decrease, including calcium, vitamins A and D, B12, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic fatty acids.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is almost exclusively found in animal-sourced foods, such as fish, meat, dairy products, and eggs. Vegans who don't take supplements are at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency than vegetarians. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include impaired brain function, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and anaemia.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is found in animal-sourced foods, especially fatty fish. Vegans may be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially during winter in countries far from the equator. Deficiency in vitamin D is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, impaired brain function, and muscle wasting.

Iron

Iron is found in meat, especially red meat, and is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron, which is found in plant foods. Vegetarians and vegans are more prone to anaemia than meat-eaters.

Zinc

Zinc is found in animal-sourced foods, such as fish, seafood, meat, poultry, and dairy products. Vegetarians and vegans are more prone to zinc deficiency, especially women.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for normal brain development and function and are mainly found in fatty fish and fish oil. Vegetarians and vegans often have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids than meat-eaters.

Creatine and carnosine

Creatine and carnosine are found in animal-based foods and play an important role in brain and muscle function. Vegetarians tend to have lower amounts of creatine and carnosine in their muscles than meat-eaters.

Iodine

Iodine is found in animal-based foods, with the richest sources being fish and dairy. Vegans tend to have a lower intake and status of iodine than meat-eaters.

The importance of a well-planned vegan diet

While a vegan diet can be healthy on an individual basis, it would be hard to scale up to a national level. Living healthily on a vegan diet requires careful planning to ensure sufficient intake of essential nutrients. A well-planned vegan diet should include a variety of nutrient-dense plant foods, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and soy versions of milk and yoghurt. It may also be necessary to take dietary supplements to ensure adequate intake of certain nutrients.

Food-related emissions would drop by 60-70%

Food production accounts for a quarter to a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, with the livestock industry responsible for the majority of these emissions. If everyone became vegetarian by 2050, food-related emissions would drop by about 60%. If the world went vegan, emissions would drop by around 70%.

The livestock industry is responsible for 68% of farmland use. If 20% of this land were used for crops, it would produce the same amount of food as all the animals. This would leave 26 million square kilometres free—an area 1.5 times the size of Russia.

The environmental benefits of a vegan diet are clear. However, it is worth noting that there would be serious drawbacks for many people, particularly in developing countries, where poverty and food insecurity could increase.

There would be a reduction in medical bills, saving 2-3% of global GDP

A vegan diet is associated with a reduced risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. A 2018 study by the University of Oxford concluded that switching to a plant-based diet could save up to eight million lives worldwide. The Western diet, which is linked to many health issues, includes processed meat, categorised as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.

A vegan diet is also cheaper than a meat-based diet. Research by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that a vegan diet reduces food costs by 16%, saving more than $500 a year. This is mainly due to the reduced cost of meat and dairy. The biggest savings come from eliminating meat and dairy, and the savings outweigh the increased spending on fruits and vegetables.

The savings are even more significant for larger families. A family of four could save over $2000 a year. This would mean that if everyone went vegan, there would be a significant reduction in food costs, and therefore a reduction in medical bills, saving 2-3% of global GDP.

However, it is important to note that being vegan does not necessarily mean eating healthily. Some vegan products are high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar, and may be lacking in essential nutrients. A vegan diet may also miss out on vital vitamins and minerals, as they are naturally low in calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Therefore, while a vegan diet can reduce the risk of certain health conditions and lower food costs, it is important to ensure that a vegan diet is carefully planned to include all the necessary nutrients.

There would be a positive environmental impact, with an increase in biodiversity

If everyone adopted a vegan diet, there would be a positive environmental impact, with an increase in biodiversity.

Food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the livestock industry is responsible for the majority of these emissions. A global switch to a plant-based diet would therefore have a significant impact on emissions from food production. According to one estimate, food-related CO2 emissions could drop by 68% within 15 years if everyone went vegan. Another estimate puts the figure at 70% by 2050.

Livestock farming also requires a lot of space. Currently, 68% of farmland is used for livestock. If this land was converted to native habitats, it would likely improve biodiversity, including for large herbivores and predators that are often killed for attacking livestock.

If everyone went vegan, around 26 million square kilometres of land would be freed up. This is an area 1.5 times the size of Russia, which could be used for planting meadows or forests to further improve biodiversity.

There would be a negative economic impact, with significant unemployment and social upheaval

A global shift to veganism would have a significant impact on the economy, potentially causing unemployment and social upheaval.

Firstly, it is important to note that the livestock industry is a significant source of income for many people worldwide. In the US alone, the livestock industry contributes roughly half of the total value of agricultural commodities, which amounts to approximately $330 billion annually. A shift to veganism would likely result in a decrease in demand for livestock products, leading to a decline in revenue for those involved in the industry. This includes not only farmers but also those involved in the processing, distribution, and sale of animal products.

Secondly, veganism could lead to unemployment and social upheaval, particularly in rural communities with close ties to the livestock industry. People engaged in animal agriculture, including farmers, ranchers, and meat processors, may struggle to find alternative sources of income. This is especially true for small-scale and family-owned businesses, which make up a significant portion of the industry.

Additionally, certain regions heavily dependent on livestock for their economy would be disproportionately affected. For example, the US, Brazil, Argentina, and China are among the top beef producers globally and would likely experience significant economic contraction if veganism were adopted worldwide.

The impact of veganism on developing countries is also worth considering. In these regions, livestock is often a source of food security and investment, serving as a form of "bank on hooves." A shift to veganism could disrupt local economies and potentially increase poverty and food insecurity in these areas.

To mitigate these potential negative consequences, it would be essential to provide support and alternative sources of income for those affected by the transition. This could include assistance in transitioning to new careers, financial subsidies, and the development of new industries to replace those lost. However, it is important to recognize that even with these measures in place, a certain level of economic disruption and social upheaval would likely still occur as a result of a global shift to veganism.

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