Try vegan this June with the Summer Vegan Pledge!

Last year, more than 3,500 people took part in the Summer Vegan Pledge with 57% of those who responded to our follow-up survey saying that they remained vegan afterwards. An additional 35% also said that they had reduced their consumption of animal products.

Interest in veganism has grown exponentially in recent times, which has resulted in a huge increase in the number of vegan options available in supermarkets, restaurant chains, coffee shops and more! In fact, in 2019, almost one in four new food releases was completely plant-based.

And in January 2020, over 400,000 people took part in Veganuary.

This rise in interest about plant-based eating and veganism is due to an increase in concern for the environment and animal welfare.

It is undeniable that the food we eat has a huge impact on the world around us. What is also undeniable is that adopting a plant-based diet is probably the best thing we can do as individuals to reduce our impact on the planet.

The carbon footprint of a vegan diet is as much as 60% smaller than a meat-based one, and 24% smaller than a vegetarian diet. In addition, the production of plant-based foods requires less land, water and resources than animal products. Animal agriculture is also responsible for massive amounts of deforestation, land use, fresh water use and water pollution.

The fishing industry is also the biggest contributor of ocean plastic pollution – mostly as a result of discarded fishing nets and equipment.

Going vegan is the best thing you can do to help animals.

Animals feel pain and suffering, in similar ways to us. And above all, they all deserve to live free from harm and suffering. Samuel here is one of the lucky ones; in the egg industry, male chicks are often killed at a day old because they cannot lay eggs. Thankfully Samuel gets to live with his friends for the rest of his life, free from harm, at an animal sanctuary.

Animal Aid has investigated British farms and slaughterhouses for many years and we have uncovered horrific suffering. One thing is sure, there is no humane way to kill animals who do not want to die.

So why not help animals and the planet, and give veganism a try this June?