by Aashay Mody, VRG Intern

In our world, where the effects of environmental destruction and animal welfare issues are increasingly in the spotlight, many people are reconsidering their eating habits. More awareness can influence people’s behavior, but this varies greatly on a personal level. To explore how such information affects dietary choices, I interviewed several members of The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) about their own experiences.

Cheyenne Klapper was a VRG Scholarship winner and she emphasized the major role that documentaries have in providing information to shift people’s perspectives. She said that a screening of Cowspiracy, which is a documentary about the environmental impact of eating animals, at her local library showed her how effective this form of media is in encouraging individuals to adopt a more plant-based diet. “When people understand that animal agriculture is destroying the environment, they are more likely to make a small step towards eating more plant-based foods,” she explained. As such, after the screening, attendees expressed a desire to change their eating habits. Cheyenne also pointed out a significant barrier to adopting a plant-based lifestyle, which is misinformation. She believes that many people lack proper education about plant-based diets, which can hold many people back from exploring these as an option to implement in their own lives.

Neha Vivek, a current VRG Intern, shared a more personal story, explaining how her awareness influenced her own decision to pursue a plant-based diet, as she “didn’t want to contribute to the environmental damage and animal cruelty” in feedlots. For Neha, the ethical considerations behind food choices were her primary inspiration to change, which is one example of how awareness can lead to meaningful change on an individual level. However, Neha noted that many of her peers adopt vegetarian or vegan diets primarily for religious reasons. This indicates that while environmental and animal rights issues motivate some people, cultural and religious factors also play a substantial role in shaping people’s dietary choices.

Former VRG Intern Akua Oppong’s experiences further illustrate how sharing knowledge can lead to a broader impact within social circles. She mentioned that her sister’s awareness of the environmental effects of animal consumption prompted her to reduce her intake of red meat. Akua noted a common sentiment among her friends, who have expressed a willingness to eat less red meat due to environmental information and incorporate more plant-based options into their diets, as well as her parents, who more frequently choose plant-based milk over dairy. This ripple effect demonstrates how the conversations that Akua has about environmental and animal rights can influence others. At the same time, Akua mentioned that many individuals feel that they lack exposure to relevant facts, including her sister, who shared that “if she was exposed to more environmental or animal rights information, she would be more willing to eat more vegetarian or vegan.”

Meanwhile, VRG Scholarship winner Mara McQuirter offered a slightly different perspective, suggesting that while environmental and animal rights issues do play a role in influencing dietary choices, health concerns often take precedence as the driving force. Her best friend became vegetarian after learning about meat’s environmental impact and her other friends are open to trying vegan and vegetarian foods, but she has found that people in her life make the switch to either diet for health more than the other reasons. Mara also pointed out that she tries “to introduce vegan foods to people as a way to ‘share,’” highlighting the challenges she faces in overcoming the stigma surrounding veganism. This approach suggests that introducing plant-based foods in a social context can be an effective way to encourage greater openness toward vegetarian and vegan diets. By talking about and experiencing plant-based eating in a positive setting, individuals might be more inclined to explore the ethical and environmental aspects of the food they choose to consume.

The insights gathered from VRG members reveal that there may be some relationship between environmental and animal rights information and personal choice that determines eating habits. Documentaries, personal experiences, and social interactions are all things that can contribute to a growing consciousness of the impact of our diets. Perhaps by having more dialogue around plant-based eating, we can increase this awareness, leading to eventual change.

Aashay is a 2024 VRG intern. For information about internships, see https://www.vrg.org/student/index.php

For information about VRG college scholarships for graduating high school seniors, see https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

To support VRG outreach, donate at www.vrg.org/donate