The natural wellbeing of the earth has declined at an exponential rate within the last century. The Greenhouse effect is melting glaciers and ice caps. As a result, sea levels are rising (Luntz “Greenhouse Gases”). In addition, with the increase in carbon dioxide levels and pollution, our health is adversely affected (“Air Pollution”). The general health of humanity is suffering due to excessive and unhealthy consumption. Veganism is a solution to environmental and health issues that we face today. Veganism is defined as a “way of living which seeks to exclude…all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose”. (“Definition of Veganism”) This lifestyle can help address health and environmental issues through the cutback of livestock production and a consequent reduction of methane and carbon dioxide, the betterment of personal health through consumption of more natural foods,
and cultivating greater peace and respect for the environment.
As an example, by not consuming meat or anything from the animal industry, vegans positively contribute to the environmental wellbeing of the planet. It is the case that livestock cultivation is directly correlated to the emission of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse emissions are composed of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide represents 82% of greenhouse gases and methane 10% (“Overview of Greenhouse Gases”). The animal industry accounts for approximately 65% of nitrous oxide emissions, 37% of methane emissions, and 9% of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions (Gerber). Through the process of enteric fermentation cow, sheep, and other grass-eating livestock produce methane. Cows specifically produce 70-120 kilograms of methane yearly (“Time for Change”). Not all the emissions in the industry are the animals fault, however. Many wooded landscapes are cleared to make room for livestock. Each acre of cleared land results in “10,000 lb./acre/year of CO2 equivalent GHC” (Searchinger). The effect that this has is that there are less trees around to absorb the issuance of greenhouse gases. In addition, the processing, cooling, and transport of meat, eggs, and dairy contribute additional greenhouse emissions (“Beef or Cars”, “Fight Climate Change”). As a result, by not partaking in and encouraging the industry, vegans directly affect the amounts of greenhouse gases being put into the atmosphere.
Yet another example in which veganism combats environmental and health issues is by the exclusion of certain food groups. One of these is dairy. From an early age, we are taught that we need dairy products in our daily diet for strong bones and good health. However, this assumption is not correct. Dairy products of all kind cause a higher risk of prostate and breast
cancer caused by an insulin likely growth factor included in cow’s milk (“Health Concerns”). Furthermore, animal-based food contains a lot of cholesterol, which aggrieves our body’s well being. A too high cholesterol level in your blood can heighten the risk of heart attacks caused by
atherosclerosis (“About Cholesterol”). Additionally, proceeded milk is not clean, as it is full of different contaminants such as hormones, veterinary drugs, heavy metals, and pesticides. This pollution can occur during breeding of the animals, production, or packing of the final product
(Khaniki). These substances can damage health. Hormones such as estrogens can cause problems during puberty of young girls (Malekinejad). Vegans avoid dairy and get their protein from plants such as hempseed, quinoa, and buckwheat (Cirino). This allows them to moderate their protein intake and ensure that they consume as much protein as their bodies need. Their health is further benefitted by this as an excess of protein consumption typically found in an omnivore diet can lead to osteoporosis and impaired kidney functioning (“Protein Myth”).
Another way in which veganism is beneficial to the environment and health issues is in the manner in which it addresses other life. The vegan lifestyle is a life without remorse and compunction, through respecting nature and other living beings sans exploiting them for humanity’s good. Industrial farming is knee-deep in animal abuse. It has been found that “over 99% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms, which focus on profit and efficiency at the expense of animal welfare” (“Farm Animals”). Chickens especially are subjected to cruelty within the egg industry. In battery farming, they vegetate, crammed into confined spaces and their own feces. In the U.S. alone, approximately “9 billion chickens are killed for their flesh each year, and 305 million hens are used for their eggs” (“Chickens”). Male chicks are killed right after birth, because they have no use to the industry (“Used for Meat”). They are thus ground up and put into dog food. Consumers of animal-based products have to decide if they can
live with the blood being on their hands when they buy the product. Christine Korsgaard says, “Can we still imagine ourselves as a natural link in a chain of life when there is nothing natural about the way we raise and eat our food?” (Evensen). Vegans have not only answered this question, but taken action to personally prevent it. This demonstrates their initiative in
cultivating greater peace and respect for the environment and all the creatures in it.
One may contest that while veganism is beneficial to the health of the environment and humanity, it is not necessarily a logical option for everyone. For many, it is needlessly expensive and impractical. Organic groceries and vegan health supplements are often the double or triple of
the prize of average food. Companies that produce vegan food items have somewhat of a monopoly on the market and as such overcharge their consumers. This is unreasonable for many in poorer countries who eat whatever they can to get by. These special vegan foods are not needed to be a vegan. In fact, some of the largest vegan and vegetarian populations in the planet are in developing countries such as India, where an average of 7 pounds of meat are eaten per person annually (“Living Below the Line”). Fresh fruit and vegetables can be cultivated in a city or outside of it, whether on large expanses of land or in the shared garden of a living complex. Local farmers offer produce options worldwide that are often organic and much cheaper than the special “vegan” produce that you will find in developed countries. Thus, there are many alternatives for vegans worldwide and the ability to continue to protect environmental and personal health.
In conclusion, veganism is very advantageous and beneficial to the environment and man. It can address health and environmental issues through the reduction of livestock production, the improvement of personal health through consumption of more natural foods, and nurturing greater peace and respect for the environment. The disadvantages of this lifestyle can be reduced by proper research for alternatives and information. As Pythagoras said, “For as long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.” (Ryan). There is a long while to go before the cessation of animal consumption. A difference can only be made when people face the consequence of their actions.
Rina Tiyu
Works Cited
“Cholesterol 101.” The American Heart Association, 5 July 2017,
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About
Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp#.
“Air Pollution Causes, Effects, and Solutions.” National Geographic, 17 Oct 2017,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution/.
Cirino, Erica. “25 Best Plant-Based Protein Sources.” Healthline, 22 June 2017,
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/plant-based-protein#takeaway.
“Chickens Used for Eggs; Chickens Used for Meat.” Farm Sanctuary,
https://www.farmsanctuary.org/learn/factory-farming/chickens/
“Chickens Used for Food.” People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,
https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/chickens/.
“Definition of Veganism.” The Vegan Society, http://www.vegansociety.com/go
vegan/definition-veganism.
“Eat Less Meat: CO Emission of Our Food,” Time for Change,
http://www.timeforchange.org/eat-less-meat-co2-emission-of-food
“Farm Animals Need Our Help.” ASPCA, https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/farm-animal
welfare.
“Fight Climate Change by Going Vegan.” People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,
https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/global-warming/.
“Heath Concerns about Dairy Products.” The Physicians Committee, 26 Jan. 2016,
http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/health-concerns-about-dairy-products.
“How Can I Get Enough Protein? The Protein Myth.” The Physicians Committee, 19 Oct. 2015,
http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/how-can-i-get-enough-protein-the-protein
myth.
Khaniki, Jahed. “Chemical Contaminants in Milk and Public Health Concerns: A Review.”
International Journal of Dairy Science, 2: 104-115. 2007.
Luntz, Stephen. “Greenhouse Gases Melted Ice Age Glaciers.” IFLScience, 15 Aug. 2016,
http://www.iflscience.com/environment/greenhouse-gasses-melted-ice-age-glaciers/
Malekinejad, Hassan et al. “Hormones in Dairy Foods and Their Impact on Public Health – A
Narrative Review Article.” Iranian Journal of Public Health, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, 2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524299/.
“Overview of Greenhouse Gases.” Environmental Protection Agency, 14. Apr. 2017,
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
Ro, Christine. “Christine Ro explores how plant-based diets and ‘living below the line’ go hand
in hand.” The Vegan Society, 29 April 2016, https://www.vegansociety.com/whats
new/blog/cost-vegan-diet-international-perspective.
Ryan, Jeff. “Vegan Quotes – Socrates, Buddha, Einstein and Others on Going Vegan.” Change
for a Year, 19 February 2013, http://www.changeforayear.com/2013/02/19/socrates
buddha-einstein-and-others-on-going-vegan/.
Searchinger, Timothy et al. “Use of U.S. croplands for biofuels increases greenhouse gases
through emissions from land-use change.” Science, 319 (5867): 1238-1240. 2008.
Steinfeld, Henning et al. “Livestock’s Long Shadow: Enviromental Issues and Options.” Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, p.xxi. 2006.
Evensen, Hanna. “The Ethics of Eating Animals.” Harvard University, 12 Mar. 2014,
https://green.harvard.edu/news/ethics-eating-animals.