Vegetarianism
In the 13 years since becoming a vegetarian, I have been asked numerous times why I chose such a seemingly “unnatural” state of culinary consumption. Within those questions, I have been subject to undertones that range from genuine interest to mild scorn to complete disdain. Yet despite these mixed reactions and the fact that I consider this question similar to “Why are you gay?” or “Why are you Christian?” I have always attempted to offer a sincere, logical reply: I began for health reasons, I felt healthier once I started, and I decided it was a good choice for me. Simple, logical, and devoid of proselytism. I never wanted to make my dietary choice to be political or debatable along the typical ethical and moral lines. Of course, as Feminists have noted for some time, the personal is always political.
Thus, regardless of my skirting around the issue in order to dissuade discussions on the ethicality of killing or the evolutionary accuracy of humans as carnivores, the truth is that being a vegetarian (and even more so, a vegan) is an environmentally sound, responsible and privileged choice the Western World should seriously consider as a means to ease the stress we are causing the planet. From reducing your carbon footprint to diminishing the demand for rapidly vanishing global fish stocks to saving water, being a vegetarian is one of the simplest yet most effective ways in which to minimize your impact. In fact, the relatively recent change to a meat-centered diet throughout the world poses a huge environmental threat that must be accounted for in conjunction with a growing population. For example, the American and European diet “ requires around 5,000 litres of water a day to produce” while a vegetarian diet requires about 2,000 litres. Compare this to the 250 litres a day the typical American uses for washing and drinking, the numbers speak for themselves in favor of merely reducing meat intake (Economist.com).
So, it is obvious I cannot avoid the political implications of vegetarianism any longer. This post is my first start. Take it or leave it, it is what it is. Regardless, my original position still stands: I still feel healthy, and it is still a good choice for me. The environmental factor is a bonus.
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