The thought experiment: What would happen if everyone on the planet suddenly went vegan? (2024)

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The thought experiment: What would happen if everyone on the planet suddenly went vegan? ›

Emissions. Food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from cows burping methane. Methane is such a potent greenhouse gas that a global switch to plant-based diets would cut emissions from food production by 28 per cent – that's the equivalent of India going carbon neutral.

Assuming the world went strictly vegan, it would mean no form of livestock or ruminant production. Methane is one of the most produced gases in the livestock sector and is a key driver of climate change, as enteric fermentation occurs in ruminant livestock.

So if all animals on Earth only ate plants, millions of carnivore and omnivore species would die out. That's a problem, because meat-eating animals play an important role on our planet. Take, for example, scavengers such as vultures, ravens, dogs and flies.

But according to new research published in the journal Climate, if we all went vegan, the world's food-related CO2 emissions may drop by 68 per cent within 15 years, The move, which the study's authors admit is hypothetical, would also provide the cut in emissions needed to limit global warming to 2ºC.

After examining 22 pairs of identical twins, researchers found that vegan eaters had lower cholesterol, insulin and body weight than participants who followed a meat diet, according to the results published last week in the JAMA Network Open journal.

By one estimate, a complete phaseout of meat over 15 years would cut as much as one-third of all methane emissions and two-thirds of all nitrous oxide emissions. Water use would fall drastically. Biodiversity loss would slow.

Humans have evolved to be omnivorous, eating both animals and plants for survival. However, this evolutionary fact doesn't mean that you have to eat meat.

If a large number of people were to suddenly go vegan and there were too many cows, pigs, and chickens, farmers would cut back abruptly on breeding, but the animals who are already here may be abandoned, slaughtered, or sent to sanctuaries.

It's the Best Way to Help Animals

Did you know that every vegan saves nearly 200 animals per year? There is simply no easier way to help animals and prevent suffering than by choosing plant-based foods over meat, eggs, and dairy “products.”

But raw vegan diets are very restrictive, which could cause you to get too little of other important nutrients including protein, vitamins D and B12, calcium, iron, and iodine. For most people, a raw vegan diet is safe in the short term, but long-term raw vegan diets could be risky.

Do you live longer being vegan? ›

Want to live longer? Go vegan! In 2020, two studies found that following a mostly plant-based diet can improve longevity. One study by Harvard and Tehran University researchers found that people who consumed 3 per cent more protein from a plant-based diet reduced their risk of premature death by 5 per cent.

As of January 2021, about 1% of the world's population is vegan, which amounts to roughly 79 million people. Since veganism is on the rise, this percentage is likely to grow steadily over the next few years. The prediction is that by 2031, one in ten people will be vegan.

People who follow a plant-based diet account for 75 percent less in greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat more than 3.5 ounces of meat a day, and a vegan diet also results in significantly less harm to land, water and biodiversity, according to new research from the University of Oxford.

Emissions. Food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from cows burping methane. Methane is such a potent greenhouse gas that a global switch to plant-based diets would cut emissions from food production by 28 per cent – that's the equivalent of India going carbon neutral.

Taking stock. The account presented above shows that vegan diets can fulfil all the nutritional requirements that are needed to support good health. Nutrients that present particular concerns are vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids as few vegan foods that are currently used for human consumption contain these.

In 7 out of 8 studies, research showed that a vegan diet improved glucose management more effectively than a conventional diet, including those recommended by the ADA, AHA, and NCEP. In the eighth study, researchers reported that the vegan diet was as effective as the control diet ( 11 ).

As of January 2021, about 1% of the world's population is vegan, which amounts to roughly 79 million people. Since veganism is on the rise, this percentage is likely to grow steadily over the next few years. The prediction is that by 2031, one in ten people will be vegan.

Research has shown that a vegan diet can help do the following: Promote weight loss. Reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Lower your chances of getting certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer.

With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs. If you do not plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamin B12, iodine and selenium.