Veganism and meat-free diets: really «green»?

Le Regard Libre N° 36 - Hélène Lavoyer

These days, everyday discussions often revolve around our eating habits. While meat-free diets, and in particular veganism, seem to be gaining ground, their environmental virtues may not be all that obvious. It could be that the diet chosen is not the right indicator of the ecological footprint.

In an article from August 2017, Le Regard Libre addressed the topic of eating insects, noting their potential to replace meat. In fact, meat production accounts for nearly 15% of greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon. Furthermore, the amount of water required to produce a single kilo of meat is astronomical (between 4,000 and 15,000, depending on whether it is pork, chicken, or beef). This certainly raises questions about our future.

Read also | «Insects on your plate?»

Opinions differ on the best ways to eat «green,» but drastically reducing our meat consumption remains absolutely necessary. At least, this is a view on which scientists, politicians, and environmentalists all agree. Furthermore, more sustainable diets have become a common topic of conversation at mealtimes. Whether vegetarianism or veganism, these two dietary approaches are seen as better suited to the growing need for consistency and respect for the environment.

The Variety of Meat-Free Diets

Today, there are many different types of diets that exclude meat. While lacto-ovo vegetarians, for example, do not eat meat or fish but do consume dairy products and eggs, vegans do not eat any of these products or any others derived from animal exploitation. There are many other meat-free diets—such as ovo-vegetarianism and pesco-vegetarianism (which allows the consumption of fish)—that exist.

The reasons behind such a change in diet are often reflected in the arguments put forward by proponents of these various diets: environmental concerns or concerns about respect for nature and animals, health benefits, and mental well-being leading to greater peace of mind are among the main ones.

Veganism and Anti-Speciesism

While these diets typically involve a lifestyle change—the one most widely practiced in Western Europe—there is one in particular that entails a complete overhaul: veganism, also known as «integral vegetarianism.» It is called “integral” because, for its adherents, all products derived from animal exploitation are eliminated from their lives. This means no milk, eggs, or honey, but also no leather, wool, silk, or any product tested on animals.

First and foremost, vegan ideology redefines the relationship between humans and animals of all kinds, much like the philosophy of anti-speciesism—this term, entered into Le Robert As defined in the 2017 edition, it refers to an ideology that challenges the hierarchy of the living world, placing animals on the same level as humans and, by extension, condemning all exploitation of animals.

Many vegans are therefore also animal rights activists, and because this lifestyle is intended to be all-encompassing, it often promotes environmentalism and health-conscious living—values that are becoming increasingly important in the lives of people in so-called «developed» countries.

Exoticism Isn't All That Magical

In addition, to maintain a balanced diet, it’s important to diversify your diet: chickpeas, avocados, spices, rice, soy, almond or coconut milk, chia seeds, goji berries, mangoes… All of these foods, so popular among vegetarians, provide either fats, proteins, or the vitamins necessary for good health.

The food industry has realized that, to sell to increasingly demanding and «conscious» consumers, it needed to tap into the vegan market. Today, store shelves are overflowing with vegan products, too easily accessible, and although they contain no animal products, palm oil is still used in many products—even though its cultivation is devastating both flora and fauna.

Replacing the eliminated products (meat, eggs, milk, cheese, leather) wouldn’t be the best solution either; for example, the process of making vegan mozzarella requires several ingredients sourced from all over the world… and the soy crops used to make plant-based steaks or even tofu also contribute to significant environmental damage and agricultural injustices.

And while fruits and vegetables consume less water than animals—although avocados are very water-intensive—transporting them inevitably consumes an enormous amount of energy. Furthermore, the lack of oversight over crops grown far from our cities or towns allows the exploitation of farmers to continue unnoticed—this is the case with avocado farming, particularly in Mexico, where the devastation is evident.

The Human Question

And while it is crucial to raise awareness among people around the world about their relationship with animals, what about humans? Once again, we point the finger at the industrial sector. The most famous ready-to-wear brands—which continue to grow—are a striking example of unacceptable human exploitation—and therefore… «animal» exploitation?—yet they are not automatically excluded from a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

What is expected today—and what lies at the very heart of vegan ideology—is, in our view, concrete action to change our consumption habits: buying local rather than imported, prioritizing quality over quantity, aligning our consumption with the seasons, and consuming not less, but better. The vegan argument is compelling, but its implementation must be carefully considered.

No single ideology can provide answers to all societal and existential questions. We believe it is fair to say that innovation arises from listening to all opinions and from being careful not to assume that there is only one way to do things in the spirit of justice and consistency. Above all, we wish to demonstrate that it is through cooperation and understanding that we will be able to move toward a better society, and that every approach has its positive aspects, but also its risks.

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