A recent report published by
the Nordic Council of Ministers reveals that the region, particularly Sweden,
is seeing a boom in veganism. The report, titled Solutions Menu: A Nordic guide to sustainable food policy, noted that driving the switch is
millennials, who are ditching animal products for the environment and their health.
Using data from the 2017 Pathways and Teaching Areas: Swedish Youth Barometer, the report states that about 30 percent
of Swedish youth are eating more plant-based foods. The council believes the
uptick is mainly attributable to the younger population’s desire to decrease
their environmental impact.
Additionally, results from
the 2015 Nordic Food Survey by Ernst & Young reveal that 34 percent of Nordic consumers
say they plan to eat more vegetarian food. Of all consumers in the Nordic
region, which includes Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, 24
percent predict they will personally eat less meat in the coming years, yet
again because of the health benefits and their concern for the environment.
It should come as no surprise
that the world’s largest fast-food chain, McDonald’s, made its McVegan sandwich
a permanent menu fixture in Finland and Sweden. The company sold more than 150,000
McVegans in
these two countries this past January alone.
But veganism isn’t just
taking off in Nordic countries. In fact, people all around the world are rejecting
animal products in droves. A recent report found that meat sales have
steadily declined in the meat-centric country of France for the past two decades. And a recent survey by comparethemarket.com and Gresham College professor Carolyn
Roberts reveals the number of vegan U.K. residents has spiked over the past two
years. The data shows that around 3.5 million now identify as vegan, a whopping
7 percent of the total U.K.
population.
Similarly, Australia is seeing an
increase in plant-based diets.
According to the Food Revolution Network, between 2014 and 2016, the number of
food products launched in Australia carrying a vegan claim rose by 92 percent.
Germany is also one of the
fastest-growing places for veganism, in large part because of the country’s
interest in animal welfare and environmental protection. A 2016 study based on
2008–2011 data estimated that 4.3 percent of Germans between 18 and 79 identified as
vegetarian,
with the majority between 18 and 29. Compare that to 3.3 percent of the U.S. population.
The wave of people ditching
animal products in favor of a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate vegan
diet is impossible to ignore. The research firm Global Data reports that veganism in America increased
by 600 percent
between 2014 and 2017, and Allied Market Research predicts that the meat substitute market will
grow 8.4 percent from
2015, potentially reaching $5.2 billion globally by 2020.
Why is veganism suddenly
everywhere? It’s part of a cultural shift toward more just and sustainable
practices. What’s occurring in Sweden is a perfect example. Over the past
decade, veganism has seen consistent
growth as millennials—now
the world’s largest generation—purchase their own food. Concerned about health,
the environment, and animal welfare, this generation boasts more
self-identifying vegetarians
than any other, according to The New York
Times.
More people enjoying vegan
food is great news for the billions of animals who suffer at factory farms. Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish raised and
killed for food are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: tiny, filthy cages;
horrific mutilations; and violent slaughter.
Terrible, right? See for
yourself.
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your health, safeguard the environment, and oppose animal cruelty? Click here to
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