Veganism

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.

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

Preparation

‘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.

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Submitted by PARIMALA MADIAZHAKAN on Sat, 20/02/2021 - 05:21

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In future maybe I will be a vegan. Becoming vegan can help us to be more healthier and vegans foods may contain more nutrients compare to non-vegans foods. Thus, being a vegan not be danger for animals.

Submitted by J. T. Wiadetski on Thu, 17/12/2020 - 21:12

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I was a vegetarian for nine years ago and today it's been one year since I became vegan. The main reason for becoming first vegetarian and then vegan, was my compassion for the animals, because if I have the option of not killing or torturing them just for my benefit, my choice will be not to indulge in this carnivorous way of life, that has a negative impact on our planet. Being vegan is much more than a simple diet, it is a philosophy of life that links with ethics, because if I want a better world, where we have more equality and that we can live more harmoniously with the planet, this cannot stay only in theory and yes in practice, just choose it.

I always think about going vegan and I wish I had the strength to give up some food habits and overcome the judgmental attitude and force of society.
Couldn't agree more on your point that if we wish to live a harmonious life on the planet we should follow the philosophy, express our gratitude to the nature and value every life equally on the planet.
That is something will also help us to avoid global warming and save the earth.

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Submitted by danisep on Wed, 16/12/2020 - 20:39

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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.

Submitted by cittàutopica on Fri, 27/11/2020 - 11:09

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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.

Submitted by GI on Wed, 25/11/2020 - 06:22

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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.

Submitted by Lilly098 on Tue, 27/10/2020 - 02:01

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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.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Thu, 04/06/2020 - 23:14

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I guess vegans ideology are welcomed to some regards.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Thu, 04/06/2020 - 23:11

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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.

Submitted by Ejmanzanor on Wed, 19/02/2020 - 03:03

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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.