A recent report showed that people in the UK consumed less meat last year than at any point since records began in the 1970s - a 14% decline since 2012.
In 2020, the Climate Change Committee suggested a target for a 35% reduction in meat per person to help reach net zero targets; the UK government recommend a 30% reduction.

This week we are grateful to Amanda Field for her insight into what led her to become a vegan.

“My journey began in the 90’s when told that my body couldn’t break down the protein in dairy, casein.

So, it was initially through health – though I still ate some meat and fish back then.

As time went on and the damage we are inflicting on this planet became apparent, I started investigating what I could do to prevent this decline.
Much of the data I read seemed contradictory so, I only read or watched information that was not sponsored by any profit-making organisation or was not trying to promote a brand or product in any way…

Amanda was right to be wary - read this Guardian article about a document used to target top EU officials over environmental and health policies but which climate experts view as propaganda - LINK

I discovered that what we eat is one of the biggest contributors to our individual carbon footprint and it could be reduce by 73% just by adopting a plant based lifestyle.

Also, whilst gaining this information, my eyes were opened to the unimaginable cruelty inflicted on the animals that we breed, use and eat…all in the name of taste and profit!

I sort of knew that this was happening but think I had always been too afraid to think about what eating meat and fish actually meant in terms of the sentient being whose life was being taken.

For me, it was ‘life changing’ I actually grieved, but took full responsibility that, albeit ‘happily ignorant’; I had been a part of this, but never again!

I have been vegan now for nearly 11 years, it wasn’t easy in the beginning and now with all the processed and sugar filled treats on offer, I have to still make sure it’s more wholefood than junk food.

This was my journey and I believe that people have to make their own mind up on these things, not judge or lecture, but investigate and decide for ourselves.

……….I became vegan for My Health, The Planet and The Animals