Veganism is a rapidly growing trend throughout the UK. More than 3.5 million British people were found to identify themselves as vegan through a recent survey, which means there’s around 7% of the population pushing away animal products. The Oxford Dictionary states that being vegan means to not use or eat animal products and it’s said that to be the best diet to protect our planet.
Northern Powergrid, who are generator connection specialists take a look into what being vegan means, why people are turning to it and how this can protect our planet.
Energy options
Vegan Energy is actually a thing, did you know that? It can be in the form of gas and electricity products that haven’t used any animal by-products or animals themselves. This is different to green energy as, although green energy uses renewable sources in place of traditional fossil fuels, it is sometimes generated using anaerobic digestion or biomass – both of which can contain by-products of animal farming.
Vegan energy can help support ethical energy production and help cut carbon emissions.
Vegan Food
Vegan food is probably the most common term you’ve heard of when you think of veganism. This is what’s been put at the forefront of the veganism trend than any other vegan property.
A vegan diet consists of vegetables, nuts, legumes, fresh fruit, beans, whole grains and seeds mainly and according to experts it’s one of the healthiest ways to eat. These foods tend to be higher in minerals, vitamins and fibre as well as being low in cholesterol and saturated fats. It is argued that eating foods loaded with animal fats is indeed killing the population via coronary heart disease linked to a meat-based diet. Switching to a plant-based diet can help prevent such cardiovascular diseases.
Some nutritionists believe, however, think that veganism isn’t actually as healthy as others would have you believe, not in regards to eating the unhealthier choice like vegan chocolate, pizza, faux meat or vegan cheeses. But because the diet may lack protein and lead to that slow building of enzymes, hormones, haemoglobin and antibodies in our bodies. The vitamin B12 is one that we may struggle to get without a meat-based diet. Nutritionist Shona Wilkinson told The Express: “There are things we are getting less of by excluding animal foods. A longstanding B12 deficiency can lead to high levels of a substance called homocysteine in the body, which is associated with cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic conditions.”
Being vegan: how it helps the environment?
Health benefits and personal advantages may be a factor for people to eat vegan, but how does this help the planet? Well, the meat industry is accountable for 20% of the UK’s greenhouse emissions. Gresham College professor, Carolyn Roberts, also believes that if all meat-eaters switched to a vegan diet, the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with food would be halved.
11,000 animals were thought to be eaten throughout the average British carnivore throughout their lifetime according to further research. Each one of these animals requires fuel, water and land before reaching our plates. This in turn causes the planet to overheat, 70% of the water available to humans is also used through farming.
Other arguments include the fact that it ruins the air and drains the world’s oil supply. 37% of pesticide use in the US comes from animal feed crops and livestock which causes unnecessary pollution.
It’s very possible that the ‘vegan takeover’ will continue to spread but is it really going to help save the planet? It’s definitely a debate to be had, veganism certainly isn’t just a craze with the massive numbers turning to it. Plus, anything that helps maintain the planet for our future generations to has to be a good thing.