Whether you think it’s a fad or revolution, the popularity of veganism has skyrocketed. Figures are hard to come by, but in 2019, there were an estimated 600,000 vegans in the UK, which is a dizzying 300 per cent increase since 2014.
Why are more people cutting out meat, fish, dairy and eggs?
For many, the environment is a big factor. Last year, 700,000 people signed up for Veganuary, and the environment was one of the top reasons for taking part. But, what impact can be made in four weeks?
The charity behind Veganuary says that the 350,000 people who gave up animal products in 2020’s event could have saved the equivalent of taking 160,000 cars off the road in greenhouse gas emissions, or cutting 400,000-500,000 single flights from London to Berlin. So, imagine the benefits if everyone went vegan.
How is a vegan diet better for the planet?
One answer is the environmental cost of industrialised animal farming. Today, the UN says meat and dairy (farmed livestock) accounts for 11.2 per cent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. But, if we all went vegan, scientists believe the world’s food-related emissions could drop by
