Read it with an open mind, make your own thoughts about this, that is all.
So, I came across this post on facebook, linking it for source and in case you want to read some of the comments on there:
"Vegans are no less guilty than meat eaters. By being vegan they support the clearing of land for crops, which requires the destruction and murder of thousands of innocent wild animals that were just simply trying to live. Also, crop farmers continue to trap and kill any animals that endanger their crops. Mice, rabbits, rats, gophers, moles, deer, etc. Also burrowing animals that damage and destroy roots. Foxes, badges, snakes, etc.
At least meat eaters actually use the things they kill. There is no less shame or guilt in being vegan."
The first thing I am wondering after reading this is; why is it a question of guilt? If anything, I am gaining the feeling that the one who wrote this felt guilty and needed to shame those who made them feel this way.
I know some of you will now start the "but vegans/vegetarians always try to push their believe on everyone and make us feel like horrible beings"-discussion but as someone who has lived a pretty much vegetarian, almost vegan lifestyle since the age of 16 (however choose to identify as neither of the two), let me say this one thing: I am not someone, who scolds or shames people for their choices; if anything, I could not care less if someone shares my lifestyle or not and still; do you have any idea how many times people tired to lecture me, just because they found out I chose not to consume meat and dairy products?
It is ignorant behaviour, regardless of whether it is a vegan lecturing a non-vegan or the other way round.
Now that this is said, I want to move on to what I think is more problematic: the the limited presentation of facts in this facebook post. In my opinion, if you compare two things you have to show both sides and not just point a finger at one aspect and in this particular field it is kind of ridiculous and you will see why in a bit.
Everything said in this statement literally applies to everyone. It is like saying "Men are bad people because they breathe and therefore produce CO2." whut.
Now how to say this without sounding preachy...
But let me break this down: Yes, it is true that the fields for crops are very much responsible for a set of terrible environmental no-noes - yes, also including the killing of animals. By being vegan you are contributing to that. By being alive you automatically are contributing to that, unless you plant and harvest everything yourself in your garden or live off of sunlight. Fields of green also swallow enormous amounts of water (agriculture is the worldwide biggest consumer of water, about 70% of all water used in a year goes to agricultural porposes) and non-sustainable resources, etc - the ecological footprint....wow.
In the quoted statement from above, it comes across that vegans are the main reason/consumers of crops.
But what do you think the animals we are eating live from?
70% of the crops grown are being fed to livestock (in America). According to the UN, about 30% of our earth's landmass is being used for growing livestock and their food.
Green: more money made on human food grown; red: more money made on food for livestock grown. (click for full article/higher res)
The US is not a a representation of the world-wide situation, everything looks a whole lot greener there (in the sense of the graphic shown), but greener doesn't necessarily equal "better". The true fault lies in the system, not the product.
People might believe that veganism/vegetarianism is all about not wanting to kill animals, but there is a huge ecological aspect to it as well for many.
People might believe that veganism/vegetarianism is all about not wanting to kill animals, but there is a huge ecological aspect to it as well for many.
So much about land and crops...
Know, that if you want to engage in a vegetarian (or especially vegan) diet, it is more than just "not eating something". It is about a lot of research on nutrition and something that needs planning of "what to eat instead", otherwise it will be a very unhealthy choice for you. I myself am perfectly healthy and I feel amazing and if anything I would like more people to just try it and then form their opinion.
I have another blogpost on this matter here.
And last but not least, there is no shame or guilt in any of these two lifestyles. My very honest opinion is, that it is important to be aware, then decide if we are bothered enough to adjust something and then be confident and happy with our choice.We need to acknowledge the effects our lives are causing, we cannot change everything but maybe we can at least treasure certain things more, when we know what their true price is.
Now can we please all respect each other's diet choices and stop hating around, because that would be nice, thanks.
Sources:
All demographics are linked to their original source, if not, then the link can be found below.
I tried to find more visual graphics rather that everyone can interpret fast, so you have to apologize, that quite some of them origin from vegan-promoting sources. I would have preferred finding a completely neutral origin, but having something easy to understand was more important to me, than having something highly scientific-looking that in the end says the same thing anyways.
All demographics are linked to their original source, if not, then the link can be found below.
I tried to find more visual graphics rather that everyone can interpret fast, so you have to apologize, that quite some of them origin from vegan-promoting sources. I would have preferred finding a completely neutral origin, but having something easy to understand was more important to me, than having something highly scientific-looking that in the end says the same thing anyways.
Keine Kommentare: