Natural Capital: Eat Your Veggies

by Aurora Munoz

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the vegan and vegetarian diet and its effect on the environment compared to that of a omnivorous diet. And about eating horses at Ikea, but that's a different story about our weird valuation of animal life (cow< horse).

I’m a vegetarian, a real one, unlike some people. And like other vegans and vegetarians I have to answer the "so, why are you a vegetarian?" question over and over again.

Usually, The Question is asked during a meal. We're having a harmless conversation about salad dressings and chickpeas and then It is asked and I gotta get all serious and start off with a “let me be straight with you” moment.

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If it’s other vegetarians asking me, they want to know what kind of vegetarian I am. Am I the kind that is rational and chose this eating-style for it’s lower carbon footprint, for the disgusting nature of the US meat industry, or for it’s positive health effects? Or am I the kind that loves animals too much and can’t stomach thinking about eating another being’s stomach (p.s. I've had stomach and it can be pretty delicious. I see you menudo (not the 80’s boy band)!

I'm not always certain why non-vegetarians want to talk about it. Either they want to tell me about that time you tried to be a vegetarian and failed. “I just couldn’t do it, I love meat too much.” Yeah, yeah, Carnivore - this is how I see you.

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Cabbage haters!

Or they want to poke holes into my self-righteous decision. "You know, humans need protein. We have canines for a reason. Blah blah blah." Eyerollz. Or some are genuinely interested in my reasoning and have even considered taking the veggie plunge.

Honestly, this question is understandable especially because I come from a culture that eats a lot of meat. And my family asks it a lot because some of them sell cows to the meat industry. I've had many awkward family dinners. But it also shouldn’t be so difficult to answer. There are a lot of reasons why one would become vegetarian.

Here is my answer:

I respect animals and believe they deserve to be treated as if they’re sharing this planet with us, not just living to be our dinner. I found out about the lower carbon footprint after deciding to become a vegetarian, which made me feel better about my decision. Plus, meat production is a major driver of deforestation. Now, after 10 years+, being a vegetarian is a part of who I am. I feel pretty good (and old) about being in my mid-twenties and knowing that 10 years ago, I made a conscious and educated decision that still means a lot to me today. It kind of connects me to my more idealistic self. It also makes me think that I can do anything I set my mind to. It's just takes will-power! And a healthy love of lentils and beans doesn't hurt either.

I'm realistic. I don’t expect everyone to be 100% vegetarian (cough, cough Duncan). However, I do think limiting our meat consumption and advocating for more a humane treatment of animals is super important. I’m not vegan. I eat eggs and cheese. But I know that the production of cheese and eggs is still part of the system that mistreats many animals and that produces way more greenhouse gases than I want to be responsible for. Starting now, I plan to limit my consumption of animal products to once a week. And many experiment with some new protein. It’s written on the internet - I’m accountable to you, cyberpeople.

So, who needs more convincing to change their diet?

If you’re a person who’s convinced by charts look at this one: