In the U.S. there’s been a whopping 600 per cent increase in the number of people identifying as vegans just in the last three years and, in the UK, the number of people identifying as vegans has increased by 350 per cent, compared to a decade ago.
But why are so many people choosing to adopt – and rave about – a vegan lifestyle?
For some people, it’s a way of demonstrating benevolence and of living life in a way that aligns with their religious, spiritual, or moral beliefs. Some go vegan because they want to adopt a healthier lifestyle; one that lends itself to longevity and sustainability, as well as optimum athletic capability. And some people go vegan because they know that, by doing so, they are helping to preserve our beautiful life-giving planet for generations to come.
Nowadays, many of our favorite athletes, actors, artists, and musicians are proudly talking about what their vegan lifestyles mean to them, including people like Tom Brady, Lewis Hamilton, Venus and Serena Williams, Moby, Woody Harrelson, Joaquin Phoenix, Evanna Lynch, Kate and Rooney Mara, Alicia Silverstone, and Kat Von D.
This is a wonderful thing because, collectively, these influencers are able to reach millions of people around the globe about how their food choices affect animals, the planet and human health, whilst also inspiring many of their fans to try vegan.
But what are they saying? Well, let’s take a look!
1. Brian May
“Eating animals has brought us to our knees as a species. I think it’s time to re-examine our world in a way that doesn’t abuse other species.”
2. Mena Massoud
“Eat more plant-based. That’s basically as simple as I can put it: Just eat more plant-based – it’s going to benefit you, your health, the environment and the animals.”
3. Moby
“I’m vegan because I love animals, and I can’t in good conscience be involved in anything that causes or contributes to the suffering of animals. Animal agriculture is a huge contributor to climate change, to deforestation, to water use, and to human chronic diseases, so although I’m vegan for the animals, it’s just a really nice by-product of veganism that it’s also a way to save humanity and our planet as well.”
4. Paul McCartney
“We have a responsibility to act now to minimise our impact on this planet – for our children and future generations who will inherit what we leave behind.”
5. Kat Von D
“When I first made the transition to eating plant-based, I foolishly thought veganism was just about diet. But the more I learned, the more it was obviously so much more than that. Veganism changed me. It taught me to look past myself – to consider how my choices affect others – the animals, the people around me, and the planet we live on. To me, veganism is consciousness.”
6. Lewis Hamilton
“We all have a voice. I have this [influential] platform and so, not to use it correctly would be wrong of me. Nobody is perfect, I’m certainly not, but this [abuse] is happening every day to so many animals worldwide. This is why I have decided to go to a vegan diet. It has been over a year now. Yes, it’s hard – nothing’s ever easy – but I’ve felt the best I’ve ever felt.”
7. Evanna Lynch
“We don’t need to eat animals to survive and thrive. You can live a full, happy, healthier, and abundant life as a vegan. The animals deserve respect and compassion – I think we all know this in our hearts, and we just have to make compassionate choices. And in terms of choice, there truly is no better time in history to go vegan than today!”
8. Joaquin Phoenix
“We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures. And non-human animals experience pain sensations just like we do. They too are strong, intelligent, industrious, mobile, and evolutional. They too are capable of growth and adaptation. Like us, first and foremost, they are earthlings. And like us, they are surviving. Like us, they also seek their own comfort rather than discomfort. And like us, they express degrees of emotion. In short like us, they are alive.”
9. Peter Egan
“All religions encourage us towards a gentler, more compassionate existence. I believe in love and respect for all. I can’t think of a kinder, gentler life than that which wishes to preserve our planet and all the species that inhabit it.”
10. Mýa Harrison
“When will we say enough is enough? Killing animals is unethical, and it’s killing us and planet Earth too. Start now: choose life, choose compassion, and take pandemics off the menu.”
If you haven’t been inspired to take the wonderful journey that is veganism until now, then sign up to access our Vegan Starter Kit today for lots of handy tips for how to make a smooth transition to a more compassionate and fulfilling lifestyle.
