8 Reasons Veganism Benefits the Environment

Nandika Sharma
Jun 2, 2021
4 min read

“We are, quite literally, gambling with the future of our planet- for the sake of hamburgers.”

- Peter Singer, Australian Philosopher

We all know the more obvious ways to save our planet, such as recycling waste products, planting more trees, not wasting water, and reducing the use of plastic. However, there is a more effective way to conserve the environment that is often disregarded.

Veganism is a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether for food, clothing, or any other purpose.

The demand for meat has continuously increased since 1940. By 2050, global meat consumption is expected to reach between 460 million tons and 570 million tons, which is 95 times the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza. This amount of meat consumption is detrimental to the planet since meat is an “inefficient” food, which means that it requires more energy, land, and water to produce than any other food source. This results in a larger energy footprint.

Going vegan has innumerable benefits to the ecosystem. Here are eight positive impacts a plant-based diet has on the environment:

1. Water conservation:

The world has united in search of the most effective way to save water for future generations. From taking brisk showers to harvesting rainwater, we are all doing our part to prevent water from running out. However, adopting a plant-based diet is the most effective way to conserve water.

Meat is the most water-demanding food product. First, we use thousands of litres of water to grow the plants that feed the livestock. Then, the livestock is consuming tons of water itself. It takes 8,800 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of mutton, while it takes only 1000 litres to produce

the same amount of fruits and vegetables. Research shows that one person going vegan can save up to 200,000 gallons of water per year.

2. Combats world hunger:

Did you know that most of the food we grow on earth isn’t consumed by humans?

It is estimated that 700 million tons of food that could be consumed by humans goes to livestock each year. 83% of the agricultural land globally is set aside to raise animals. If more land was used to grow crops to feed humans, we would be feeding more people at a lesser expense of the planet.

3. Reduces air pollution and mitigates climate change:

The air we breathe is becoming dangerously polluted. Air pollution, caused by an abnormal increase in the number of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane and carbon dioxide, can cause serious ailments such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart diseases

All the livestock in the world is causing more air pollution than all the cars, buses, ships, planes, and other modes of transportation combined. Raising livestock for meat, eggs, and dairy generates almost 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-highest contributor after heat and electricity.

Greenhouse gases trap heat. An increase in the number of greenhouse gases increases the overall temperature of the Earth. This is called global warming.

If everyone on the planet adopts a vegan lifestyle, then emissions contributing to global warming will be cut by 70%, which is enough to stop and reverse the damaging effects of climate change.

4. Preserves habitats:

Animal agriculture is responsible for 91% of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and is the greatest cause of deforestation worldwide. Over 3 million species reside only in the Amazon rainforest, while over 50 million species reside in rainforests worldwide. Raising livestock is the single biggest driver of habitat loss in tropical countries. It is estimated that by 2050 Asian and African countries will need a 45% increase in the land to support the increasing demand for meat, which will permanently destroy the natural habitat of the native species populating the area. A plant-based diet needs less land than meat, hence it preserves the habitat of millions of species.

5. Stabilizes the aquatic life:

Overfishing has left the water bodies imbalanced. Not only has it reduced the population of the fish, but it has also changed the characteristics of the remaining fish. 85% of the world’s fisheries are overexploited. Going vegan will reduce the demand for fish and stabilize the oceans.

6. Reduces energy consumption:

Aforesaid, meat is an “inefficient” food product; it drains too much energy to produce. A Cornell study found that it takes eight times more fossil-fuel energy to produce animal-based protein than it takes to produce plant-based protein. The most effective way to conserve energy is by cutting out meat and dairy from our diet.

7. Keeps the soil nutritious:

We can get almost all vital nutrients through a plant-based diet. This is because the soil contains important minerals that provide us with nutritious fruits and vegetables. While raising livestock usually leads to deforestation and resulting soil erosion and infertility, growing fruits and vegetables nourishes the soil and keeps it fertile.

8. Prevents species extinction:

The increased demand for meat has led to increased use of land. This has led to a loss of habitat which has endangered several native animals. Choosing a vegan lifestyle will go a long way in preventing species extinction.

Now, animals are smart and gentle creatures who deserve a life just as much as we do. Going vegan may seem tough at first, but don’t aim for perfection! Starting with just one meal a day will make a huge difference.

Take Action

Now that you know all the benefits of veganism, you can go ahead and register for our Vegan Day campaign to start making a difference. It's a free and online guide with links and resources, and it'll help you make a commitment to veganism, even if it's a small step in the right direction.

Vegan Day

Participate anytime | Participate from anywhere

Good luck and happy eating!

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