Plant-based lifestyle and veganism are terms that everyone has come across in twenty-tens. In Finland the so called “vegebuumi”, which can be freely translated to vegan trend, started when Docventures documentary show released the meatless October -campaign. After that many plant-based products was released and became more common in Finn’s groceries. The biggest turning point to the vegan trend was however the day when McDonalds released their first 100% plant-based burger, McVegan. From then on plant-based diet has grown steadily amongst people.
McVegan is 100% plant-based burger that was released in 2017.
Vegan or plant-based lifestyle means in practice, that the person who follows it, does not use any kind of animal products. Meaning, that in addition to food also cosmetics, clothing and accessories should not have anything coming from or produced by an animal or tested by animals. Usually, the terms are still used when meaning a person’s diet, not the whole lifestyle.
Plant based diet has many advantages, not only for humans and animals, but to environment too. Actually, “Shifting away from animal-based foods [could not only] add up to 49% to the global food supply without expanding croplands” (Jalava et al, 2014). Vegan diet also significantly reduces carbon footprint and waste byproducts. Similarly, shifting to plant-based diet can reduce water usage by 50%. None the less, all reduction of animal products has direct and indirect impact on saving wildlife, flora, and fauna.
From the climate perspective, the production and consumption of animal products adds up to one fifth of individual’s climate impact and one third of all greenhouse gases emitted by humans. It is researched, that switching to vegan diet is one most significant thing, concerning one’s carbon footprint, that can be done. To mention just few ways how persons diet can affect climate:
- Methane (greenhouse gas) produced by the livestock
- Land space taken by dairy and meat industry is taken from nature
- Changing the land back to nature state or growing plants (for humans not livestock) instead, helps to store more carbon emitted by humans
- By growing plants to feed humans, not animal products, 75% more land would be free for agriculture, meaning significantly more people could be fed
- Burning forest for land to feed livestock have caused repeatedly uncontrollable wildfires
In conclusion switching to plant-based diet is a single and most effective way to keep the Earth as a habitable place for us and the future generations. It can also help you with your conscience when no animals are killed and mistreated for your pleasure.
