Why do some people go vegan because of climate change?

I’ve been thinking about going vegan mainly because of the climate. For example, land use for meat is much higher compared to plants or grains. Does that make me vegan if that’s the reason? Did anyone else decide to go vegan for this reason? Also, I know deforestation is connected to land use and climate change.

I started off wanting to reduce my impact on the environment too. But when I looked into it more, I found out about health benefits. It also made me start thinking of animals as beings, not just food.

In the end, veganism is great for the planet, animals, and your health (especially if you go for whole foods).

If climate change is your main reason, that’s awesome. Going vegan is one good way to lower your carbon footprint.

But, veganism is actually an animal rights movement. To be vegan, you need to avoid all animal products, including things like clothes, cosmetics, glues, and even things like visiting zoos or horseback riding. Animals feel pain, think, and have emotions, and there’s no ethical way to take things from them, even if it’s environmentally neutral.

@Drew
Thanks for the explanation. I thought veganism was just about diet at first, but now I see it’s more of a whole lifestyle. I think I’ve already cut out most animal products outside of food, just because they’re easier to make.

@Zephyr
Going plant-based is definitely a diet, but I used to cut back on animal products for the environment. Then, after a heated discussion about meat, I realized I had to give it all up. And just like that, I did.

Veganism can be as deep as you make it. With less than 4% of mammals in the wild, supporting a plant-based diet is the right move!

I didn’t learn about the environmental damage from animal farming until I went vegan, and it’s shocking. It’s frustrating how little action is being taken to fix it.

Some people here might say you must be motivated by animal rights to be considered vegan. But most definitions of veganism don’t say that, and even the one they refer to doesn’t mention it. It just says veganism is a ‘way of living and a philosophy.’ So if you live vegan, you’re a vegan.

@Dana
The issue is, you can reduce your carbon footprint while being vegan, but there are other things within veganism that don’t impact the environment, like visiting zoos. If your main motivation isn’t about not exploiting animals, you might still do things like that which aren’t vegan, even if they don’t harm the environment. So, you wouldn’t be considered fully vegan.

@Drew
I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a softer way to say this. Someone who cares about animal exploitation may still choose non-vegan actions at times. Just because something doesn’t affect the environment (like visiting a zoo) doesn’t mean they have to do it. Some might see veganism as part of a bigger philosophy—one that also includes environmentalism—and avoid those actions. Or they might feel zoos go against their environmentalist beliefs.

Most people would call you a plant-based eater, not a vegan. Veganism is really about ethics. But I guess if your diet is entirely plant-based, you’re still technically vegan.

Yeah, you can be vegan for different reasons. I love animals and don’t want to hurt them. But I also realized that a good vegan diet is much healthier, and it has a smaller carbon footprint than eating meat. All of these reasons played a part in my decision, and there are so many benefits to going vegan.

For me, being vegan is all about saving animals, being a good person, and caring about the planet. I also just really enjoy eating vegetables, fruits, carrots, and soy milk.

Ren said:
For me, being vegan is all about saving animals, being a good person, and caring about the planet. I also just really enjoy eating vegetables, fruits, carrots, and soy milk.

Being vegan is definitely a personal choice, and I respect that. I’m happy for anyone whose journey leads them to show compassion to other beings. But I don’t think it’s just about personal growth. Veganism is about not exploiting animals in the first place.

I started out going vegan for sports performance, thinking anything was better. But after a few years, I shifted to focus more on climate and environmental justice because of how much it affects the world. Animal rights, labor rights (helping people leave slaughterhouses for better jobs), and personal health also became big reasons for me.