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Why I am a Vegetarian

July 14, 2024

I stopped eating meat on January 12, 2017.

I am often asked why I am a Vegetarian.

Here are my four reasons why.

1. Environmental Impacts

Abstaining from consuming meat directly and significantly reduces my contributions towards global climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and environmental destruction in general.

The basic calculus is simple: "On average, only about 10 percent of energy stored as biomass in a trophic level is passed from one level to the next." Abstaining from meat effectively moves me down a trophic level. In turn, fewer resources are needed to keep me alive. This manifests in reduced land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

I believe that living sustainably is an ethical imperative. Vegetarianism helps move me towards that goal.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact

Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Food systems account for one third of greenhouse gas emissions. One study found that vegetarians in the UK contribute only 45% of the CO2 emissions as high meat-eaters. By abstaining from eating meat, I am directly reducing my contributions towards climate change.

Land Impact

It takes around 100x less land to produce a calorie of beef than a calorie of a plant-based protein like tofu or peas. At the same time, Commercial Agriculture is the leading cause of tropical deforestation. Abstaining from eating meat directly reduces my contribution towards deforestation.

Water Impact

Global food systems account for 70% of the world's freshwater use, and 78% of freshwater pollution. A lot of water is needed to grow crops to feed livestock. One recent study suggests that vegetarians' water use is 50% less than non-vegetarians. Abstaining from eating meat reduces my water consumption and water pollution.

Biodiversity Loss

As a result of land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions, eating meat also contributes to human-caused extinction and biodiversity loss. One study found that vegetarians contribute only 56% as much towards global biodiversity loss as high meat-eaters. Abstaining from eating meat reduces my contributions towards the biodiversity crisis.

2. Testing my Self Restraint

Towards the end of 2016 I felt like I didn't have strong self control or willpower. When I first became vegetarian, I told myself I would only do it for one year as a test of my willpower. My goal was simple: prove to myself that I possessed the discipline to stick to a significant lifestyle change.

That year came and went, but I decided to continue regardless. While it initially was a test of my willpower these days it comes naturally. Now, I rarely miss eating meat — perhaps once a month at most.

This experience not only demonstrated my capacity for self-restraint but also led to a long-term dietary change. What began as a temporary challenge became a sustained lifestyle choice, reinforcing my belief in my ability to commit to personal goals.

3. My Experiences in a Bio Lab

In the summer of 2016, I worked in a lab that conducted testing on mice. While I am a firm believer in the benefits of ethically-reviewed animal testing, and acknowledge that I benefit from it every day, working in such a lab myself left a significant impact on me. Sacrificing mice and extracting organs is not for the faint of heart, and left me queasy about meat at the dining table. While not necessarily top of mind when initially making my decision, upon reflection this experience was undoubtedly a contributing factor both in beginning and continuing my vegetarianism.

4. Mammalian Qualia

Pigs and cattle are relatively smart mammals, capable of feeling. While I believe there is an ethical way to raise and eat animals, I do not believe that most of the pork and beef on the market is ethically raised. Therefore, the most ethical choice is to abstain entirely.

Conclusion

As a vegetarian, my environmental impacts are reduced. I prove to myself each day that I have some level of self control. Vegetarianism helps me in my aspiration to live an ethical life.

I know vegetarianism is not a panacea for climate change. I know that I still consume unsustainably. I know that flying to destinations for vacations essentially undoes all reductions in carbon emissions I might have made through vegetarianism. I know that there is more to an ethical life than not eating meat.

As humans, we each have a personal ethical obligation to ensure the continued prosperity of humanity and life during and beyond our time as stewards of Spaceship Earth. Vegetarianism helps me be a better steward. It might help you be a better steward too.

Nibbles

I have intentionally consumed six bites of meat since January 12, 2017: