Can you really go vegan for a month? The Green Fix on Veganuary

News, resources, and a chat with blogger and podcast host Zipporah on what veganism really means

Jan 13, 2021

Graphic that says 'No one cares about your protein intake until they find out you're vegan'

Something strange happens whenever I mention being vegan. Maybe you can relate.

First, the person I’m talking to applauds me on my morality, or perceived willpower.

Then they explain why they themselves couldn’t be vegan. They like cheese too much, there aren’t vegan options where they live, they’re not in charge of the cooking…

This is a little awkward. First it puts me in the awkward position of either telling them that it’s fine or risk coming off as ‘preachy’. Secondly, it reflects an unhelpful all-or-nothing mentality.

Some people really can’t go vegan - for financial, medical, cultural reasons, and more. That’s not the real issue. Sustainable changes are not about perfection. Don’t give up on doing anything just because you can’t do it all.

Now Veganuary has put veganism in the media spotlight, it’s a good moment to look at what changes towards a more vegan way of life you can incorporate long-term - not just for a month! Vegan clothes, cruelty-free beauty products are all part of a life without animal exploitation - so find what you can do, and keep doing it.

***

The Green Fix is collaborative: I write about what you want to hear about. This relies on people sending in their questions and suggestions. Shape the newsletter by taking part in the Instagram polls and filling in this feedback survey.

***

Do you find the Green Fix useful? Then help me out by sharing it! I run The Green Fix for free, in my own time, alongside a full-time job. This means I don’t have the time to promote it as widely as I’d like to. If you like this newsletter, please help me by sharing it using the button here:

Share The Green Fix

What’s Going On?

Democrats win control of the US Senate, boosting the prospect of climate action.
Useful: What does the US Senate actually do?
Scientists believe global warming would stabilise quickly if CO2 emissions reach zero.
Useful: How quickly do we need to reduce emissions to avoid catastrophic warming?
Here’s the latest interactive report by the UN laying out a ‘Six Sector Solution to Climate Change.’
Relevant: How can I support the work of the UN Environment Programme?
A record number of people have signed up for the month-long vegan challenge Veganuary.
Relevant: What is Veganuary?
A report by thinktank IPPR finds Brexit threatens UK environmental standards.
Useful: Why exactly are environmental standards threatened by Brexit?

Focus On… Veganism

Vegan blogger Zipporah talks about going vegan and how to make sure your veganism doesn’t contribute to other injustices.

My name is Zipporah, I am a vegan content creator and blogger based out of Vancouver, Canada. I run the Instagram account @zipporahthevegan and I host the podcast “Goats and Oats,” where we discuss all things from misconceptions about veganism, to white supremacy and performative allyship.

[Relevant: What is performative allyship?]

I went vegan 4 years ago, but it was a long journey for me because I had an eating disorder. It started with the Youtube video “meet your meat.” I was instantly repulsed at animal exploitation and knew that I didn’t want to be part of that system. I slowly transitioned to a pescatarian diet then vegetarian to plant-based, and eventually, vegan.

On your blog you talk about the issue of white veganism. What does this mean?

White veganism is veganism that is rooted in white supremacy. It is not truly liberatory for all sentient beings. It is harmful because veganism is about the liberation of all sentient beings which includes humans and non-humans alike.

“White veganism is that veganism that fails to recognize and hold space for the breadth of human experiences that exist outside of a white perspective. White veganism turns most people away from veganism because it is exclusionary.”

[Full blog post on white veganism here]

How can vegans or those trying Veganuary avoid contributing to oppression and injustice?

If you truly believe in the liberation of sentient beings, you have to be committed to divesting from all forms of oppression, which does not stop at speciesism.

Veganism is a stance on anti-oppression, so you can’t claim to be a vegan and turn a blind eye when one of your loved ones exhibits behaviors that are rooted in racism, xenophobia, ableism, homophobia, etc.

A vegan meal of tofu on a bed of salad and broadbeans

Veganuary is poorly named because one does not truly go vegan one month only to revert to eating animal products the next. What is promoted for January is ‘plantbased-ary’ (?). A plant-based diet is what folks are committing themselves to.

Many choose to go vegan afterward, but veganism is an ethical stance on animal liberation that affects the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the make-up you purchase, etc. It is not something that you can test out as a challenge for a month.

[Relevant: What’s the difference between plant-based and vegan?]

'I would go vegan but I like cheese/chocolate/bacon too much'. 'I could never go vegan, it would be too hard.'

We need to reshape how we think about animals, their flesh, and their secretions and remember that our taste buds or our convenience should not take precedence over someone else’s life.

How do you feel about the claim that 'everyone can be vegan’?

If you use the original definition of veganism, that is true because it states that “veganism is the divestment of animal products as much as practicable and possible”. If someone cannot eliminate animal products from their diet but embodies the lifestyle otherwise, they could be vegan.

I don't go by this definition because vegans still represent less than 5% of the global population and it is simply false that upwards of 95% of the world population cannot go vegan. Until those of us who can are doing their part, using the classic definition of veganism leads to a lot of unnecessary confusion.

That said, when most vegans say ‘everyone can be vegan,’ they are making an erroneous blanket statement which is typically ableist, but also classist. Some people cannot go vegan due to food access reasons, level of ability, etc.

What are your top tips for anyone trying Veganuary or transitioning into veganism?

The first is to ensure that you are engaging and following non-white vegans. The second is to transition at your own pace, and the third is to anchor yourself in your “why”.

Follow Zipporah on Patreon for anti-racism resources, tips on how to transition, and personalized tips. You can also follow her on Instagram.

So Now What Do I Do?

LEARN MORE

Follow diverse vegan bloggers! Here’s some recommendations by Zipporah.
What impact does reducing meat consumption have on the planet?
What do vegans actually eat? (No it’s not just avocado toast)

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Find vegan cafes and restaurants near you with the Happy Cow website and app.
Here are 10 more ways to help animals.
Help! Going vegan clashes with my culture and heritage.

CHANGE THE SYSTEM

Learn about the factory farming industry and what you can do to end it.
Support the work of animal welfare NGOs like Compassion for World Farming.
Ask your local cafe or restaurant for vegan options.

Let me hear your thoughts!

Are you doing Veganuary? Been vegan since before it was trendy? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay in the loop

I share updates on the Green Fix, polls and additional resources on Instagram @coffee_and_casstaways. You can also say hi on Twitter.

Know someone interested in environmental issues? Forward this email to them - we want to reach people who care about doing more for the planet, with your help!