Veganism

Vegans argue that animal farming is not only cruel but also bad for the environment. World Vegan Day, on 1 November, puts the focus on the vegan way of life.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.

Preparation

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‘All life deserves respect, dignity and compassion. All life.’ – Anthony Douglas Williams

What is veganism and what do vegans do?

Vegans try to live, as much as possible, in a way that avoids exploiting and being cruel to animals. This means following a plant-based diet. Vegans do not eat animals or animal-based products like meat, fish, seafood, eggs, honey and dairy products such as cheese. For many vegans, living a committed vegan lifestyle means not wearing clothes made from animal skins and avoiding any products which have been tested on animals.

How are vegans different from vegetarians?

Vegetarians don’t eat meat or fish but they can eat eggs, honey and dairy products, but vegans don’t eat any animal-based food products. Vegans argue that suffering is caused in the production of these foods, for example they say that, on some dairy farms, male calves are killed because they are too expensive to keep, and on some farms, cows are killed when they get older and produce less milk. Similarly, on some egg farms, male chicks are killed because they do not produce eggs. As for honey, vegans say that bees make honey for bees, not for humans, and that bees’ health can suffer when humans take the honey from them. Vegans believe that the products they use and consume should be free from not just cruelty but any exploitation of animals.

When did veganism start?

The Vegan Society was founded in 1944, but there is evidence of people deciding not to consume animal products over 2,000 years ago. The sixth-century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras was in favour of kindness to all species, and his diet could be described as vegetarian. There was a tradition of vegetarianism in the Indus Valley, Babylonian and ancient Egyptian civilisations even earlier. The Vegan Society points out that in 1806, the famous romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the first people to publicly object to eating eggs and dairy products on moral grounds.

Why do many people decide to become vegan?

For many people, the main reason for going vegan is probably that they believe that animals and all other sentient beings should have the right to life and freedom. However, there are other reasons. Vegans argue that the production of meat and other animal products is very bad for the environment. They point out that a huge quantity of water is needed to grow grain to feed animals in the meat industry. The enormous amount of grain which the meat industry needs often leads to forests being cut down and habitats being lost. In contrast, much lower quantities of grain and water are needed to sustain a vegan diet. In addition, many vegans say that all the nutrients our bodies need are contained in a carefully planned vegan diet and that this type of diet helps prevent some diseases.

What is World Vegan Day?

On 1 November every year, vegans all over the world celebrate their way of life. There are workshops, exhibitions and public debates on World Vegan Day, and it is a wonderful opportunity for anybody thinking of becoming a vegan to learn more about the subject.

Sources:

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

Would you consider becoming a vegan? If you already are a vegan, how did you choose to become one?

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Worksheet84.82 KB

Language level

B2 - Upper intermediate

Topics

environment and nature

special days

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I think that be vegan requiere pay special attention about diet what you eat and dispose more money to buy food that replace meat which could be more expensive to afford it, It's true that the environment are suffer due this excessive meat consume hence it's good to reduce certainly its consumption or not to eat meat all days of the week.

I had never considered becoming a vegetarian or a vegan. I really careful of my mediterranean diet; hence I eat vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, etc. Nevertheless I think it's indispensable to take into account that our behaviour - not only about the nutrition but also about the general lifestyle - have to shaped around the necessity to live, as much as possible, in a way that permits a sustainable development.

I like the vegan philosophy and I think it’s the right choice for who want to respect animals and environment, I read anarticle last year where was reported that pollutions generated by the intensive farming system are equal to 30% of the entire emissions made by fuel consumption.

I would not become vegan. I like eating meat and fish. However, I concern about our environment and animal abuse. Hence, I always try to choose environmental-friendly products or animal-friendly food. The problem is all friendly products are so pricy that everyone can afford to buy. We should take an action on the price to encourage all people to save our environment and animals.

I guess vegans ideology are welcomed to some regards.

I wouldn't for now. Actually, am not, vegans beliefs are tenable, but does its practice really juxtapose balance diet in relation to growth and development of an environment.

Hello for all. For me that’s a very complicated decition. Really I don´t interested to becoming a vegan. I like seafood, fish, chiken and especially the meat. Usually I eat eggs and some diary products. That kind of food are scencial in my diet. It has been a matter of family culture. But I love de vegetables and eat it every day.

It is somehow complicated to choose to be a vegan or not, It could be good in some points and it maybe be harmful in other point of view. I believe the earth will be a better place, if everybody try to be a vegan. If people stop killing animals, cutting trees the environment will be a better place to live. For me If I was the only person in the world,I would never kill an animal to eat it's meat, but today people usually don't think what they eat they just want to eat a delicious food. On the other hand being vegan maybe cause you be weaker because there are less Protein and other necessary nutrient that our body needs in your food. So it is a complicated decision. It is up to you if you are a self-concentrated human or you are ready to sacrifice your life for the future generation.

For me, i used to try to be a vegetarian before, when i only ate vegetables, after one month i found that my skin was become more smoothly, that was really great for a girl. And i found that my weight is lessen as well, i became much slimmer, that was a wonderful result that i expected for a long time. But because of my exercise routine(Running and HIIT Training), i think it is essential for me to eat some chicken/beef for my protein supplement, so i quit to be a vegetarian from that moment haha.

I am interested in enviromental issues. I am a supporter of caring our common house, the planet. But in my opinion, vegarism is a bit excessive. It is against using things that comes from animals wich we need and use rightfully.