In A Vegan World

In a vegan world, Covid-19 - the Coronavirus behind the current global pandemic, that is leading to lock-downs of entire cities, tragic deaths, fear and insecurity, political turmoil and disruption of the world economy - as well as other looming zoonotic-related diseases - would not be the huge threat it is right now.

As people begin to grapple with learning, many for the first time, about zoonotic disease, we find ourselves suddenly in the middle of a crisis that spans the world, struggling with a new understanding of how we affect each other, and new comprehension of how quickly the entire world can shift. The first thing to do in such a crisis is take care of family, self, and community, and there are many heroic people who have risen to the immediate challenges, from brave medical first responders to brilliant scientists and dedicated, selfless community volunteers and essential workers. Our hearts are with all who are struggling and suffering as a result of this situation.

But what makes this current situation all the more tragic is scientists have actually been sounding the alarm about what is happening now for decades. It is a troubling inconvenient truth to be faced up ahead, but Covid-19 did not need to happen. This is a devastating way for society at large to wake up to the stark realities of zoonotic viruses.

Because of Covid-19, there must now be a bold, rising conversation about what the source and root cause of this pandemic really is: farming and eating animals, destruction of wild areas, displacement of wildlife and how zoonotic diseases manifest - and how these things work together to create a dangerous potential.

An Introduction to Veganism

“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”
[source: vegansociety.com]

Benefits of a Vegan Diet

Health - Research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Environment - Animal agriculture and the world’s growing population contributes to global warming, widespread pollution, deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity and species extinction.

Animals - The transition to a plant-based diet will reduce the suffering of billions of animals destined to spend their entire lives suffering in confinement.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

WHO (World Health Organization) has declared AMR one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. To prevent disease due to often filthy, overcrowded conditions, the majority of farmed animals receive large daily doses of antibiotics. According to the Pew Trust, approximately 70-80% of all medically important antibiotics are given to farm animals, resulting in the decreased efficacy of antibiotics, leading to the creation of bacterial “superbugs.” This poses significant human health concerns due to common human diseases, such as respiratory and staph infections, developing resistance to these important medications.

Please visit https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance for more information on AMR.

Links

Below are links to some helpful sites:

Documentaries
Earthlings
Forks Over Knives
Vegucated
Speciesism: The Movie
Cowspiracy
Seaspiracy
What the Health
Live and Let Live
Peaceable Kingdom
Blackfish
A Life On Our Planet - David Attenborough’s documentary on Netflix

Websites
pcrm.org - Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
nutritionfacts.org - Dr. Michael Greger’s website
The Vegan Society
vegan.com
One Green Planet

Miscellaneous Videos
TED Talk by Robert Swan: Let's Save the Last Pristine Continent
Philip Wollen: Animals Should Be Off the Menu Debate (Philip Wollen is the former VP of Citibank and Australian philanthropist)

Recipes
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken by Sam Turnbull
Vibrantly Vegan by Amy
The 11 Food Bloggers Every Vegan Should Follow Article by The Green Plate
Fork & Beans by Cara
Post Punk Kitchen by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Hot For Food by Lauren Toyota