A Meat-Free Future?

Around five percent of the global population follows a vegetarian diet. In Europe the figure is 10 percent, while in India almost a third of the country abstains from meat and fish. What’s more, the numbers are rising. Restaurants and supermarkets now offer vegetarian options as a matter of course. There have even been government schemes to discourage meat-eating, from Germany to China. What is causing people to turn away from animal products towards fruits and vegetables?

Vegetarianism is not new, of course. Two and a half thousand years ago, Buddha and Pythagoras refused to eat animals. In Renaissance Italy, Leonardo da Vinci freed birds from their cages and practised a vegetarian diet. But the numbers of people now following plant- based diets are higher than ever before. It has been suggested there are four reasons for this: moral objections; health concerns; environmental concerns; and religious duties.

Many people object not only to the killing of animals for food, but to the way they are killed. Today, the life of a cow bred for beef is likely to be miserable and short, unlike in the past when farms were much smaller. If we can survive without that steak, shouldn’t we try to reduce the suffering of our fellow creatures? This seems to be a primary motivation for some, including Daniel, 34. He says, “I stopped eating meat after watching a documentary about factory farming and pigs. They feel pain and fear. They’re as smart as three-year-old humans! I realised I could easily switch to veggie sausages.”

Health is another central concern for many. Marie-Laure, 50, explains that she turned to veganism five years ago because “I really felt sick from eating rich food. Cutting out meat and dairy has changed my life. I sleep better and have more energy during the day. My only regret is that it’s hard to find vegan options in the cafes where I live. But on the plus side, I’ve become more creative in the kitchen.” Vegetarian and vegan (no dairy, eggs or honey) diets have indeed been shown to improve mood and skin condition, as well as reducing the chance of heart problems. And of course, with so many foods off-limits, the amount of vegetables on your plate rises, increasing uptake of essential vitamins.

The impact of meat farming on the environment is newly understood, but certainly serious. According to some estimates, the manufacture of animal products causes up to 50% of global pollution. In addition, rainforests are cut down all over Brazil for cattle to graze. Luiz, 22, decided to skip the burgers after reading about the Amazon forests. “It’s shocking,” he says. “We now have 450,000 square kilometres of land for cattle, and maybe that’s good for the economy but it’s terrible for ecology. It’s rare to be a vegetarian in my country but it feels like something I have to do.”

Followers of religions like Hinduism and Sikhism have felt that obligation for centuries, though neither faith insists upon a meat-free diet. Vegetarianism is practised to show compassion for other living beings. Jainism, on the other hand, forbids animal products as well as potatoes, onion, garlic and mushrooms. India is by reputation a paradise for vegetarians and vegans, and Jasmine, 39, discovered this to be true. “I spent a month there on holiday and I couldn’t believe the range and quality of vegetarian dishes. I especially loved the paneer, which is a kind of cheese, and the incredible bean and lentil curries. Indian cuisine proves how unnecessary meat is,” she says.

For those who truly can’t imagine life without roast chicken, perhaps it is still an option to become a ‘reducetarian’. This new movement encourages people to eat fewer animal products, but not to feel guilty if they sometimes fail. “Not everyone is willing to follow an all-or-nothing diet,” notes Reducetarian president Brian Kateman, but a reduction in meat-eating will still benefit the planet – and all who live on it.