The thing is, I have just watched one of the Greenpeace film festival finalist documentaries on veganism titled, 'Empathy' (definitely check it out, its a great film!) and it has re-lit my interest in veganism. However, transitioning to a meat free diet is not always easy, especially for young people who don't have as much control over what they eat and buy as adults living by themselves. So much of what we eat is determined by the adults we are living with and what they eat. I try to do the shopping at home and I enjoy cooking meals for the family when I have the time but ultimately, it comes down to what our parents put on the table. Making a decision like becoming vegan doesn't only affect us but those we live with and its not always a possibility.
So I have been thinking about ways to make little changes in my own life that don't have a big impact on the people I'm living with. Currently, I am living in Paris and am staying with a host family so making a big change like this is definitely not something I want to enforce on my host family, especially seeing as they are already having to adapt to my allergies to nuts and dairy. However, one aspect of my life that I have complete control over is what I eat at the school canteen.
Now is the time when I have to make some decisions and I being by asking myself some questions. Why do I want to become vegan? What is most important to me?
There are various reasons I want to become vegan- primarily because cattle farming is incredibly bad for the environment. Cows produce the amount of methane equivalent to the effect on global warming made by 33 million vehicles. Livestock farming is also the main contributor to deforestation and 30% of the planet's fresh water, which is already in high demand, is used for intensive animal farming. (These facts were taken from 'Empathy', mentioned above). I also find the poor treatment of animals very disturbing and believe in animal rights. Moreover, I believe that I am happier and healthier when I am eating a plant based diet and I absolutely love salads!
And then it comes to what is most important to me. Again, protecting the environment and conservation comes in at number one for me. And its different for everyone and that's okay. For me, I want to leave the planet in a better state than it was given to me, I want to leave my children with a healthier planet than I inherited.
And so, after breaking down my ideas into two questions, I have decided that eliminating meat from my diet is in my first interest. It relates to the main reason that I want to become a vegan and also will directly contribute to what is most important to me. In relation to my cantine dilemma, I believe that the best way to make change is to make little changes. No one wants to be overwhelmed by a challenge too great, its disheartening and you can feel defeated before you even begin. So, in my case, avoiding meat in the school cantine is the next step in becoming a vegan. Although eggs are contributing to animal cruelty, its a harder habit to change and something that I will work towards in the coming months.
I hope that this post has helped you to think a little clearer about veganism but more importantly, I hope this has helped you to find a way to make small changes in your own life. I know that it is not easy to change habits when you are part of family or household that doesn't have exactly the same ideas as you but there are always little steps that you can take and little things that you do have the power to change. Its about finding these things and working out how you can stay true to your own values and beliefs. I find that especially when it comes to veganism, a lot of people will tell you that everyone should become vegan because animal farming is bad for the environment but the truth is soy farming contributes to huge amounts of deforestation vegetable farming uses lots of harmful pesticides. There is no perfect solution but if we all make our own decisions and make little changes, we can bring the planet back into balance, damage is never irreversible, and it is never too late to change.
I would love to hear what you thought about this post and what is important to you. Leave me a comment below to tell me how you are going to help to leave the planet a healthier home for the next generations. Don't feel overwhelmed because everyone makes a difference in their own way. Whether that be by eating a plant based diet, avoiding single use plastic, donating to conservation organisations or simply being aware and mindful of the environment. You are making a difference and you matter. We are the future generation.