Is Going Vegan the Best Thing for the World?
Veganism seems to be the “in thing” in recent years. The idea of saving the environment is an appealing one that many share. However, is it really the best for the environment and the world as a whole for every single person to go vegan? We have the answers to your most common vegan questions — even the weird ones!
Carbon Footprint Will Increase
People want to save the world, and one of the ways to do it is by decreasing their carbon footprint. As you know, this can be done by walking instead of driving, using solar panels instead of coal, etc. But vehicles and fuel are not the only reason for increased carbon emission — creatures that inhabit the Earth are responsible for it too.
In simple terms, vegans do not eat meat (or any product from an animal), and that could lead to animals breeding a lot more. While there are other predators besides humans, humans are on the top of the food chain. And, there are many of us. So, in theory, more animals can mean more carbon which can lead to, not sound overly dramatic here, global warming.
We could plant more trees to balance this, but where? Not all land can accommodate all trees, and some animals may use trees as a source of shelter and food or just destroy them for their uses and means. While we should always plant more trees, that does not mean that it is a solution.
Nutrient Deficiencies Among People
One of the personal downfalls of going vegan, or even vegetarian, is that the body will not get all the nutrients it needs unless you take supplements, which can get a bit expensive.
Furthermore, if you take a look at your teeth, you will see that you are an omnivore since you have the teeth required to eat both meat and plants. Therefore, your body needs nutrients from both sides. Plus, going natural (if you can) is the best and most healthy way to go.
What nutrients vegan diets tend to lack are:
- Vitamin B12
- Retinol: Pre-formed Vitamin A
- Vitamin D3
- Creatine
- Heme Iron
- Taurine
- Carnosine
- DHA/EPA Omega-3
Some of these are found in meat, and some others can be found in other types of animal products.
Water Needs Will Be Different
Another aspect of saving the world is not just about not eating the animals. It is also about looking after water. Water is the source of life more so than food. A person can go for days without food as long as they have clean water to drink. It is important to conserve water as much as we can.
And while all living things need water, animals, and humans, plants do too. This could lead to rising demand for water usage on farms. This is because farmers would need a lot more water for their plants and plant-based products to grow. Granted, there is rainfall, but depending on where the farm is, it may not be enough.
People want to eat. But without enough clean water, they will just demand it since there is no supply. There are chemicals in dirty water that can get into your food and make you fall ill. This is just a hypothetical story, but it is one to think about. Plus, the pre-mentioned issue of global warming can also have an effect on water. We cannot drink seawater, and most plants cannot stand it either.
Wide Lifestyle Change
Being a vegan can become a lifestyle, as can anything when a big change is involved. Some cultures are accustomed to eating plant-based meals, while others are used to having meat and animal products in their diets. Going vegan is a huge change for a meat-eater. Even a vegetarian would struggle.
Food is not only about eating. That is the main point of it, but there is so much more to it. It is everything in terms of culture, cultural identities, and jobs. People make a living from animal products, not just food but other things as well. Such as:
- Soap
- Beer
- Perfume
- Sugar
- Condom lubricant
- Nail polish
- Crayons
- Cake mixes
- Paintbrushes
Just to name a few. People would be out of a job if the whole world, including them, went full-on, strict vegan. Would you really want to live in a world without cake mixes? We would not be too much of a fan of it.
A History to Remember
If the world decided tomorrow that we are all vegan and that our body tells us so (and lack of certain nutrients are no longer an issue), well, it is what it is. However, the beginning of the world is not when it turns vegan.
Our children down the line will learn about the era of meat-eating. They will have questions. They will have thoughts on being vegan as opposed to omnivorous, and they will share their opinions about it. This can lead to action. They can take a bite out of their pets, themselves, or you?
And, what if some people, for medical reasons, cannot go vegan? We are not professionals in the field of medicine or science, but it does make a story, at least.
Biodiversity Decline
Biodiversity is the gigantic collection of life that is on Earth. Nature is all about balance. Therefore, if the whole world went strictly vegan, it would throw the balance off.
As we have mentioned, farmers would have to grow more plant-based food, and there would be an overpopulation of animals. Some animals in the wild are already overpopulated. So much so that hunting seasons are designed to cut down the numbers.
Another aspect to consider when thinking about animals is that not all of them can live in the wild, certainly so if they come from farmlands. The broiler chicken is an example of this. They are so far from their wild ancestors that unless evolution speeds up, they will be killed off by animals looking for a quick takeaway meal.
Looking at the land on Earth, different types can offer a variety of plants. However, some types are not made to house plants. Therefore, they cannot be used as farmlands. Furthermore, ever-growing cities are taking up land, making farming even more difficult in these areas.
What is more, is that animals use marginal land (little to low agricultural value) which crops do not grow on. So that is also out of the question. Plus, we would be in competition with the animals for food.
Ending the Hypothetical
This is only a theory and just something to toy with. Everyone should have a choice to eat what they want. Therefore, there should be a balance where some people are vegan, others strict ones, a few vegetarian, as well as some meat-eaters, to keep the world balanced.
If you are a vegan or want to be one, go for it. The thing about real-life is that not everyone will choose the same lifestyle, especially when we’re talking about what-if questions and hypothetical scenarios like these. However, we would suggest planting more trees and cutting down on carbon emissions, just generally.