• Why Plant-Based?
    • Overview
    • Sustainability
    • Better health
    • Compassion for animals
  • Resources
    • Virtual speaker series
    • Speakers program
    • Pamphlets
    • Newsletters
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Who we are
    • Contact us
  • How to Help
    • Join us
    • Donate
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
Earthsave CanadaEarthsave Canada
  • Why Plant-Based?
    • Overview
    • Sustainability
    • Better health
    • Compassion for animals
  • Resources
    • Virtual speaker series
    • Speakers program
    • Pamphlets
    • Newsletters
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Who we are
    • Contact us
  • How to Help
    • Join us
    • Donate
  • Subscribe to Newsletter

The world needs more vegans: a roundup of a tumultuous year

The world needs more vegans: a roundup of a tumultuous year

The world needs more vegans: a roundup of a tumultuous year

December 15, 2020 Posted by Jen Flood

Friends, 

2020 has no doubt been a difficult year. From the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused so much human suffering, to the increasing political polarization and unrest across the globe, to the impending catastrophic effects of climate change and the failure of nations worldwide to take adequate steps to address it, our situation looks bleak. 

Yet, over the year, we at Earthsave Canada have also seen many reasons to have hope. The plant-based movement has continued to build momentum around the world, and new science has shown immense promise for removing significant CO2 from the atmosphere and preventing further species extinctions if we restore a portion of our land to its natural state. But this can only happen if we collectively take the necessary steps to change our diet. 

The fact that a plant-based (vegan) diet is the way to go cannot be seriously questioned. The science has been clear about this for decades. Adopting a plant-based diet would not only go a long way in helping us achieve a sustainable environment, spare billions of animals from horrific cruelty, and improve our health, it could even help to protect us against future pandemics. 

Perhaps the best thing about these findings is that eating a plant-based diet requires no real sacrifice. We can live happy and healthy lives and enjoy our food just as much or even more than we did on animal-heavy diets, even on a tight budget. 

With all the well-established advantages of a plant-based diet, many of us are perplexed when our friends, family, and other members of our community are less than enthusiastic and don’t immediately make the change along with us. 

We must keep in mind that those who profit from the status quo spend billions promoting animal products and lobbying governments for laws that protect their interests and silence those who bring their harmful practices to light. The reality is that far fewer resources go towards promoting a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate plant-based diet. And unfortunately, even among those concerned about the environmental impact of our diet, many promote well-intentioned but far less effective steps like “Meatless Mondays” or eating local. 

As we said at the end of last year and as we will continue to emphasize, those of us with the information and means to act must do so, and fast. No one likes to change their habits, and there will be a period of adjustment, but plant-based eating quickly becomes second nature. 

Remember, we didn’t all come together and decide that eating a diet heavy in animal products is a good idea. A lot of factors got us to where we are, but for most of us, we just grew up eating what our parents gave us and continued with a similar pattern in adulthood because that’s what we knew. But now that we know better, we must do better.

So please, check out the resources on our website and consider giving plant-based eating a try. You can challenge yourself and also find lots of support over at Veganuary or Challenge-22. We’re certain that if you give it a chance, you’ll soon become a lifelong vegan. And if you’re already there, be sure to educate those around you. We greatly appreciate your support in bringing this crucial information to the attention of as many people as possible. 

Let’s work together to make 2021 a better year for all. 


Photo by Ray Bilcliff from Pexels

Share
Avatar photo

About Jen Flood

Jen is a lawyer with a J.D. from UBC and a B.Sc. in physics from Queen's University. A vegan for over a decade and an avid cyclist, she joined Earthsave Canada in 2018.

You also might be interested in

Spotlights illuminating stage

Using your platform for good: A spotlight on celebrity vegans

May 26, 2021

Many vegan public figures have been using their platforms in significant ways to promote vegan principles. Here's a quick look at the amazing contributions of some plant-based celebrities.

COVID-19: A disaster of our own making

COVID-19: A disaster of our own making

Apr 8, 2020

The relationship between animal consumption and human illness is well established. The widespread adoption of a plant-based (vegan) diet could protect us against future pandemics.

2023 in review: Plant-based movement offers hope in the face of bleak environmental outlook

2023 in review: Plant-based movement offers hope in the face of bleak environmental outlook

Jan 4, 2024

Even as 2023 saw record-breaking global temperatures, global efforts to tackle the climate crisis have largely failed to acknowledge the need to transition our food system to more sustainable, compassionate and healthy plant based diets. However, there has been some positive progress. This blog recaps some of the year’s significant events, with links to many of our blog posts from 2023.

Recent Posts

  • How can we continue to honour our planet after Earth Month?
  • No, Bill C-293 on pandemic prevention is not the “Vegan Act”
  • Estimating the True Costs of Our Foods
  • CBC’s coverage of plant-based issues is all too often outrageously flawed

Follow us

If you found this helpful please consider donating.

Donate

Engage with us on facebook

Earthsave Canada

Earthsave Canada

11 hours 10 minutes ago

"In engineering terms, the chimps are selecting materials for strength and flexibility depending on the application. The same principle is used when designing structures such

1
View on Facebook
Share

Earthsave Canada

13 hours 29 minutes ago

"The initiative focuses on overcoming challenges related to moisture retention and juiciness in plant-based burgers by processing Canadian legumes and sunflower into protein-rich ingredients and

Canadian-UK Collaboration Develops New Plant-Based Burger Ingredients Using Domestic Crops - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

A joint effort between Canadian and UK organizations has commenced to develop plant-based burger ingredients using Canadian-grown legumes and sunflower crops.

1
View on Facebook
Share
Earthsave Canada

Earthsave Canada

16 hours 22 minutes ago

"According to a 2019 UN report, if we don't change our ways, 1/8th of all the Earth's plants and animals are at risk of going

2
View on Facebook
Share

© 2025 · Earthsave Canada.