Every year November 1st is World Vegan Day. A day that was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis – the President of the Vegan Society UK. This year marks the 68th anniversary of the word “vegan” and with this it’s 68 years of having the concept of “veganism” put in one word. “Vegan” are the first and last syllables of the word “vegetarian”. Often it is said that the vegetarian lifestyle still includes a lot of things that need to be cut out – the word “vegan” does so and the vegan lifestyle does so, too. In case you don’t know: it is a lifestyle that is about denying the consumption of animal products at all – no meat, no eggs, no milk, no leather, no fur…

Why I veganized my life

I’m living vegan since eight years now and I feel better and healthier than ever before. You probably heard about the usage of growth hormones and antibiotics in mass meat production being a problem. But it’s not only about individual health. It’s also about our common existence on earth: About 80% of the world’s grain harvest is used to feed animals. When about 10-20 kilos of grain are needed to produce only one kilo of meat (not to speak about the water and energy needed), wouldn’t it make more sense to eat the grain rather than the meat? Wouldn’t more people on earth have food if we in our western world would eat more consciously? I do think so. Another reason is of ecological nature: The production of meat seriously contaminates the planet, heavily occupies soil and forces the exhaustion of carbon dioxide.

All these reasons are strong, but for me personally it’s is another reason that brought me to the decision to live the vegan way: I can’t handle the feeling that a living being is born for the only reason to die for us. That’s regarding a being as a product. I think it’s easy to understand that every cow, chicken, rabbit, horse or whatever loves life. Free life, as we like to claim it for ourselves. A life behind bars is a life in chains. No matter if in a zoo or a farm, no matter how much space they have in there. No matter if animals are killed for meat or “just” violently robbed of their milk, eggs or wool. Would you like to have a life like this? I don’t think so. In my very own opinion, I would be happy about every animal that never gets born for the reason to die through our hands. To say it with MORRISSEY’s words: meat is murder. Seriously. And as mentioned above, there are tons of other reasons which directly affect mankind, too.

So why opressing others? Are we better just because we are able to build technology and use pen and paper? Surely not. Most people are unwilling to change even small things in their habits to make the world a better place. This is sad and arrogant against us all. And of course I include myself here. I’m not a better person just because I don’t use animal products. I only try to make my footprint count positively and take a stand for the voiceless.

We are all Earthlings

If you are interested in the topic, you should check out the documentary “Earthlings” which is “a powerful and informative documentary about society’s treatment of animals, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix with soundtrack by Moby. This multi-award winning film by Nation Earth is a must-see for anyone who cares about animals or wishes to make the world a better place.” – watch it here: http://earthlings.com – but be warned: this might change your life!

Leonardo Da Vinci once said “The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men.” Maybe he will be right with his opinion. One thing is sure: he shared the opinion that we all are Earthlings.