More and more people are shifting to a plant-based diet. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Many cultures have traditionally followed a

meat

-based

diet

, but an increasing number of

people

are now replacing animal products in their

diet

with plant-based foods.

This

essay will examine the key drivers of

this

trend and argue that it is a largely positive development. The most common reasons for becoming a vegan seem to be based on ethical or environmental concerns. In recent years, confronting information about practices involved in some large-scale

meat

and dairy farming has emerged,

such

as the inhumane conditions in which some animals are raised, transported and killed.

As a consequence

, many

people

feel they can no longer ethically justify eating

meat

. We are

also

now better informed about the massive contribution of livestock farming to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions compared to that of growing plant crops, leading many

people

who are concerned about climate change to avoid eating

meat

.

This

trend towards plant-based eating is generally positive. A

diet

of fruit, vegetables and whole grains has numerous health benefits, including preventing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. If more

people

adopt

this

way of eating, the taxpayer burden of treating these health conditions, which are often associated with a heavily

meat

-based

diet

, may decrease. More importantly, as consumption of

meat

and dairy falls, production levels will follow suit, helping to reduce carbon emissions and preserve carbon-storing forests. A major shift away from animal products would have negative consequences for that industry,

however

. Mitigation strategies would need to be implemented to prevent unemployment and build resilience in farming communities.

To conclude

, a desire to be more compassionate towards other living creatures and less destructive of the environment seems to be the main impetus for the current rise in plant-based eating.

While

a vegan

diet

rich in whole foods is undoubtedly positive for the health of

people

and the planet, a wholesale transition away from

meat

will need to be carefully managed.