Eating a plant based diet is usually done for personal health or environmental reasons. Veganism goes beyond that and includes moral and ethical motivations. But, how much does the food we eat and items we purchase correlate with ethics? Quite a lot, actually. Here are just a few ethical benefits of living a vegan lifestyle.
Note: while a plant based diet is a way of eating, veganism is a way of living. Vegans do not eat anything from animal sources or containing animal products. In addition, vegans do not use products derived from animals or tested on animals. And, vegans do not partake in sports or other activities that kill or exploit animals. Plus, see #20. đź’š
1. Saves Animal Lives
Approximately 160 million animals are transported to slaughterhouses everyday. In developed countries, those who are not vegan or vegetarian will consume approximately 7,000 animals during their lifetime.
2. Decreases the need for Factory Farming
Factory farms are dirty, disgusting places, full of diseases, sickness, and beyond horrific and unethical practices.
3. Protects Animals
By eating a vegan diet and living a vegan lifestyle, you are protecting animals from a life full of abuse, neglect, physical pain, mental anguish, and intense suffering. All animals are living, breathing, sentient beings who form emotional attachments. No creature deserves to be mistreated and unloved.
4. Decreases Animal Exploitation
Decrease in demand means decreased need for things such as zoos, circuses, aquariums, and other animal attractions. All animals deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
5. Less Animal Testing
Everything from cosmetics and personal care products to cleaners and everyday household products are tested on animals. When we purchase from vegan and ethically-based companies, we eliminate this need for animal testing.
Vegan personal care company Meow Meow Tweet states on their website:
“The only animals you’ll find in our products are the drawings on our packaging. We are forever cruelty free, Leaping Bunny certified, and palm oil free. Our vegan standard is not just about our ingredients—it extends to how we source, too. We take a whole picture approach to veganism, so we don’t source materials that harm the habitats or food sources of animals (human animals, too).”
6. Higher Demand for Ethical Businesses and Products
I became vegan a year and a half ago. And, there are lots of new plant based products and vegan businesses since then. We make our voices heard with our dollars and where we choose to spend our money. When we purchase only vegan, ethical, and eco-friendly products from reputable companies, we make our voices heard.
Vegan beauty company Thesis Beauty’s moto is:
“Organic, Vegan, Eco-Friendly: radical purity without compromise.”
7. Fewer Animals Killed for Goods
Textiles such as fur, leather, wool, silk all come at a great cost to the animal–often forcing them to endure years of torture, abuse, and neglect, which ends up costing them their life.
8. Saves the Bees
In addition to other animals, honeybees can also be factory farmed, mistreated, and over-used in pollination.
9. Reduces exposure to workers working in and residents living near slaughterhouses and factory farms
In factory farms and slaughterhouses, workers are exposed to diseases, polluted air, and pathogens. And, those residents living near these facilities endure air pollution, water pollution, and declining home values. Studies have shown these populations are at a higher risk of poor health, respiratory problems, diseases, and other health complications.
10. More Food for the Poor and Starving
One-third of the world’s grain production is used to feed livestock: grain that could be used to feed the poor and starving.
11. Promotes Sustainability
Studies have shown that a vegan diet is the most sustainable diet. On the other hand, a diet centered around meat, fish, eggs, and dairy is the least sustainable.
12. Saves on Water Consumption
More clean water can be utilized by those who need it. Per pound, food from plants requires far less water to produce than food from animals.
For example, it takes 1,000 gallons of water to produce one gallon of milk. And:
- 1,850 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef
- 667 gallons of water to produce one pound of butter
- 2,052 gallons of water to produce one pound of leather from cows
In contrast:
- It takes 300 gallons of water to produce one pound of rice
- 34 gallons to produce one pound of potatoes
- 99 gallons to produce one pound of apples
- 26 gallons to produce one pound of tomatoes
13. Decreases Deforestation
Production of livestock is one of the leading causes of deforestation. (This includes land to house the animals, as well as land to grow their feed).
14. Slows Climate Change
Food production is responsible for about 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with animal agriculture responsible for most of that. Additionally, methane produced by livestock is responsible for 39% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
15. Reduces Air Pollution
Factory farms and animals raised for goods produce massive amounts of dust and contaminants that pollute the air.
16. Protects the Oceans
By eating a vegan diet and not partaking in sports such as fishing, there is no contribution to fishing bycatch and overcatch. Sadly, our oceans are depleting rapidly, and these practices are also contributing to water pollution and dead zones.
17. Protects Animals from Extinction
Deforestation, hunting, overfishing, and pollution are large contributors to animal endangerment and extinction.
18. Saves On Earth’s Natural Resources
Less energy is required for plant based food production. For example, feeding the world’s population in 2050 will require a 70% increase in global food production. Researchers estimate that traditional Western diets will need to reduce meat consumption by 90%.
19. Education
The more I researched after starting a plant based diet, the more I realized this was more than just a way of eating for me. It was a way of living. And that’s when I knew I wanted to live a vegan lifestyle. In general, most vegans are highly educated on animal welfare and ethical practices. We are passionate about what we believe, because no one should suffer.
Most vegans are happy to educate others about why they follow a vegan lifestyle. And, I have found many people are open to listening, even if their beliefs differ from my own.
Even without going fully vegan, every little change that someone makes can have profound impacts. I am proud every day that I hear of someone I know taking steps towards eating more plant based foods, purchasing cruelty free products, and practicing more sustainable habits. You don’t have to be 100% vegan to make a difference!
20. Compassion
Once you embrace a vegan lifestyle, you will find that same compassion and tenderness overflowing onto all aspects of your life! It will make you kinder, gentler, and more empathetic to those around you, both humans and animals.
Personally, my ethics, morals, and values are more well-defined. It has made me a better wife, mom, Christian, and human being.
Benefits of Veganism
Stand up for what you believe in and don’t compromise for anyone.
Even if you choose not to adopt a fully vegan lifestyle, you can still make a difference. By committing to vegetarian meals several times per week, partaking in “Meatless Mondays,” or purchasing only cruelty free products, you can still be part of positive change that has lasting impacts. 💚
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