How Might Global Veganism Impact Society?

More and more people are becoming vegan around the world. Yet, the broader transition to a plant-based diet is happening at a slow rate. Population growth and higher incomes are expected to increase food production by 70% in 2050 compared to 2009, with around 3 billion individuals likely to be categorized as meat and/or dairy consumers. This review compares the effects of global animal and plant-based diets on the environment, health, and economics, noting some challenges that need to be addressed if the world were to switch to a fully plant-based food system.

Currently, animals provide 30% of human food. While globally the consumption of meat is increasing, there is a relative increase in plant-based food intake, mainly in developed countries. Specifically, about 75 million people follow a vegetarian diet. A much smaller group chooses to be vegan, and some others are flexitarians who choose to consume less meat. Among non-vegans, those who want to adopt a vegan diet often report doing so to avoid animal mistreatment and help the environment.

According to the authors, one of the areas where plant-based farming proves superior is climate change. In general, climate change impacts agricultural outcomes due to unpredictable rainfalls, drought, and pests. Agriculture itself is a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and can destroy ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and pollute water sources. Animal farming disproportionately contributes to GHGs and is considered a critical factor in exacerbating climate change. Nearly 30% of the loss of land biodiversity is attributed to animal farming, and the authors suggest that eliminating meat worldwide would reduce GHGs by 49%.

It is estimated that 65% of the changes in agricultural land use are due to increased demand for animal products over the past 50 years. Moreover, demand for animal products is expected to increase by more than 50% from 2000-2030. The authors point out that in many developing countries, animal farming based on grazing is the main source of food security and income. It’s important to consider these marginalized global communities when looking to the future of food production.

While there are many environmental downsides to animal agriculture, the authors claim that raising animals for food decreases food waste by converting about 5% of inedible food to animal feed. Also, animal droppings return nutrients to grazing lands. However, the authors neglect to mention the harmful inefficiencies and food waste associated with animal production, nor whether these inefficiencies outweigh the environmental benefits of farming animals. Overgrazing also destroys perennial grass species and may increase the risk of exotic invasive species and soil erosion.

However, according to the authors, a global shift to plant-based farming isn’t an automatic solution to all environmental issues. It could reduce biodiversity as certain crops may not be cultivated due to a lack of commercial interest. Depletion of nutrients from soil and excessive fertilizer use are other problems that can affect agricultural productivity in plant-based farming. Dry areas with limited rainfall may disproportionately suffer from soil degradation and alkalization. In addition, the authors argue that plant pandemics and diseases can seriously threaten food security if the world relies only on a plant-based diet.

Beyond the environmental impacts, a plant-based diet is linked to improved health as it has anti-cancer effects and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, plants contain a lower amount of certain nutrients such as iron and vitamin D, which may lead to malnutrition. In addition, vegans may need to consume 20% more food than non-vegans to meet their daily nutrition needs. Although the authors do not mention this, a fully plant-based food system must ensure that all communities have equitable access to necessary nutritional supplements. 

In terms of economic benefits, the authors claim that animal farming provides income for billions of people and is a resilient alternative when crop production fails. Therefore, under a plant-based system, policies would be needed to screen and control plant pests to protect the economy and food security. In addition, animal farming currently creates revenues for countries and raw materials for industries. Because of this, the authors say that discontinuing meat production will weaken the economy, particularly for the top meat producers including the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, and mainland China. Of course, the livelihoods of existing animal farmers would also need to be considered.

According to the authors, the best way to increase agricultural productivity moving forward is by the effective use of existing croplands. Transforming pasturelands to croplands, if the world goes vegan, also increases plant production. Yet, there’s a problem: the most productivity would come from using fertilizers and water, but the production of industrial fertilizers leads to GHG emissions. Also, water sources and the soil need to be managed properly for sustainable, large-scale plant production.

While switching to a vegan world is preferable from an animal protection perspective, it’s important for advocates to consider other issues that may arise in the process. Future agricultural policies need to consider food security, environmental impacts, and farmers’ incomes, among other challenges. Moreover, educational campaigns are needed to convince people to turn to a plant-based diet, as vegan uptake remains low. Food waste also needs to be addressed as one of the drivers of climate change. Nevertheless, it’s obvious that a shift in our food system is needed as the global population continues to grow, and advocates can play a role in finding sustainable, humane ways of helping us get there.