somebody. Being vegan is a neutral
position, a position of non-harm.”
For many vegans, a growing
motivation to adopt this lifestyle is
looking at the way the animal-based
food production is also cruel to the
environment. “Climate change and the
melting polar caps are largely caused
by livestock farming,” says Attila
Hildmann, author of Vegan for Fun
($34.99, amazon.com). “The United
Nations reports that livestock farming is
responsible for 18 per cent of the overall
carbon dioxide concentration; the
Worldwatch Institute believes it’s more
than 51 per cent. Even if we assume that
the figure is 18 per cent, that’s still more
than the amount of carbon dioxide
emissions produced by road, sea and air
transport together.”
“If polar bears were able to, they
would surely take to the streets to
protest against livestock farming.”
Rebelling against ridicule
Part of the ‘culture’ of being a vegan
has traditionally involved putting up
with a heap of vitriol lumped on them
by people who appear to be deeply
offended or threatened by their moral
and dietary position.
“The main difficulty in being a vegan
is other people’s reactions, especially
when they go on the defensive and insult
you,” says Fox. “This happens often in
online forums and social media. I do my
best to be calm and polite, but it’s hard.”
Of course, not all vegans are
necessarily as polite as Fox, just as not
all meat-eaters are trolling the internet
for unsuspecting vegans. Clare Mann,
psychologist, vegan and communications
trainer, teaches vegan clients how to
engage with ‘the other side’. “I teach
vegans to communicate veganism to
“If polar bears were
able to, they would
surely take to the streets
to protest against
livestock farming.”50 | AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HEALTH naturalhealthmag.com.au