My Vegan Ethics and Plant-Based Life

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I am vegan simply because I believe that it is not my right to take the life of animals when I don't need to. In cases where I do need to take lives, such as pest invasions, threats to my life, etc, I have no issue with it, but I believe it is best to keep such circumstances at bay as much as possible to avoid the undesired outcome. Besides merely taking a life, it is especially not my right to subject them to lives of torture, forcibly breed them, or make them live lives where they can't express their natural inclinations as is common in the normal animal husbandry operations. While I understand that it has been common to eat their bodies and secretions, and admit that there have been circumstances in history and today where people have been accustomed to it for their survival, today, not only do most of us need not do it, but it comes with a lot of costs that make it not worth it. I am astounded that so few people are plant-based and that it still seems to be a stigmatized view in spaces that ordinarily triumph causes of liberation and respect for the environment.

Answering the question of whether it is right or wrong takes many paths depending on the moral framework and assumptions of people I speak to, so I prefer to only indulge such arguments on a one-on-one basis. The consumption of animal products is so widespread and entrenched in culture, that I recognize there can be numerous reasons people don't make the switch, and some reasons which need to be treated with some sensitivity. However, I think there are many more pressing reasons to consider plant-based independent of whether you think animals should have any rights or are motivated by the concept of right and wrong. As for me, it is wrong for me to do it, and therefore anyone who wants my company will need to respect this, and not offer me anything with animal parts in it to eat, wear, or use.

So putting aside issues of morality, I suggest that plant-based living is simply the easiest way to reach a more independent life in harmony with your ecosystem and lessen the number of concerns you have. Animal agriculture requires producing enough feed for the animals, supplying them medical care, defending them from pretators, and a number of machines, disinfectants, and brutal infrastructure to "process" them. Supposed benefits from their waste products can be easily sourced from wild animals. However, it isn't really that necessary, and if anything just introduces unnecessary pathogens if handled improperly. I think that more people should consider plant-based permaculture first, to get started, and see if they aren't satisfied.

While there are many boutique vegan foods in the supermarket that appear marked up compared to the animal equivalents - a frugal vegan can still shop for far less than those who must purchase meat, eggs, or dairy.

There is a lot of research supporting the fact that plant-based diets can be healthy, if not among the healthiest diets. Since vegan diets only exclude products that exclude animals, they can be as healthy or unhealthy as the person chooses. Diverse whole foods, from grains, legumes, mushrooms, and vegetables are able to supply all the required nutrients, although supplementation with vitamin B12 is advised. I recommend those switching to a plant-based diet, to use an app like Cronometer, before and after, to see how your diet is stacking up against nutritional requirements. You can also consult a plant-based or vegan nutritionist.

It's important to realize that veganism is not only about diet, and people can be plant-based without being vegan. In different parts of the world plant-based may mean different things, and not refer to vegan or even the vegan diet. Veganism is about not exploiting animals in any way, whether that be breeding them to exchange them for money, scientific experimentation, or recreation (zoos, rodeos, races, or circuses). Some vegans may take in pets or animals to give them sanctuary, but we attempt to do so in a way that doesn't exploit them.

Sometimes, veganism faces criticism because there are plant-based foods associated with various harms, such as asparagus, avocado, palm, coffee, and chocolate. I don't deny there are sometimes additional considerations for people who want ethical diets, but I think its very easy and effective to start with eliminating animal products, before moving on to addressing more complex ethical situations.

Most of the time, my life is simpler this way, although while travelling or associating with others, it can be troublesome. Admittedly, it is very common for vegans to receive hateful and ignorant comments, or experience social pressure and uncomfortable situations. For me, I have never cared what other people think, and am used to being unconventional. I don't have much advice for people who are more sensitive, but I think knowing why you are doing something strengthens your backbone. The little bit of suffering we might feel if we go hungry at an event, or receive an insult, is nothing compared to the suffering animals are going through, or the ecological disaster caused by animal farming practices. I think when one truly considers the scale of the horror, the number of beings impacted and the severity of their suffering, industrial animal farming is among the most terrible things happening in the world.

For more information on veganism see my YouTube playlist.

Contact me if you'd like me to share my digital copy of Vegan Book of Permaculture with you.