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Veganism could be considered a hypernym containing many conflicting topics. Our project is a discussion of how the planet would be affected if everyone was to turn vegan tomorrow, looking at society, culture, environment, animal welfare, and the meat industry. We have explored the impacts that this change would have on the world, and the necessity of this change to ensure humanity’s own survival on a planet facing major destruction due to climate change. Our actions contribute greatly to this, whether individually or institutionally. Therefore, it is important that we look at how our choices can influence the future, positively or negatively, depending on what we choose.
Interesting mockumentary by Simon Amstell exploring similar issues: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p04sh6zg/simon-amstell-carnage
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Project Group 3 (Broccoli Swing) – Kaitlyn Mann, Olivia Legates, Cara Corlett, Isabel Higgins, Holly McCarthy
Do you think that becoming vegan could have an impact on the production of meat in general ?
Yes. If we were to stop eating meat, the production of meat would have to be reduced. It could be that, eventually, the meat industry would have to cease entirely. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing as it has such a negative impact on the climate and on the welfare of animals.
Do you believe there would be issues with convincing people that lab-grown meat or meat made using bugs is fine to eat? As people are shown to be skeptical, if not willing to deny, new things.
There would definitely be difficulties in convincing people to give up meat and even more so in getting them to try new things because diets including meat do play an important role in certain cultures. However, we would argue that cultures are not static, and humans in general are very good at adapting to things. So although there may be skepticism and denial at first, eventually people would make the change. Especially if meat were to stop being mass produced and it would become more difficult or more expensive to access it.
If many were to become vegetarian or even reduce meat consumption to once a week, would this hold much of the same benefits to veganism, only it is more attainable for many?
There would definitely be many of the same benefits, however with veganism all industries producing any animal products would be affected and therefore there would be more of an impact. However, vegetarianism is as you say more applicable so more people are likely to do it, therefore greater benefits. Still, veganism would provide the most benefits and the biggest change which is why we focused on it for this project.
When talking about veganism, you seem to mainly focus on diet. Do you think, should we all go vegan tomorrow, that this should also include our clothing options? Many brands still use real animal furs, leather etc. It may not impact the environment the same way as an animal’s meat does, but many would argue it is against an animal’s rights. What are your thoughts on this?
We think that this should definitely be considered in this as animal welfare is one of the main values of veganism. It may be difficult to implement this, just as it would be with the diet aspect, but in order to achieve worldwide veganism we would have to embrace all aspects of it. It may even be that it comes naturally, as worldwide veganism would cause a cultural shift to happen, meaning that people’s attitudes towards animal cruelty might change alongside their diet.