The Economist Says 2019 is the “Year of the Vegan”

In its annual look into the new year, The Economist declares that 2019 will be “the year of the vegan.” In light of recent victories for animals and the quickly expanding vegan foods market, we think they might be right.

According to John Parker’s article, veganism is going mainstream in 2019, especially among millennials. Already, at least 25 percent of Americans between 25 and 34 years old say they’re vegan or vegetarian. And it seems like that number is only going to rise in 2019.

The year 2018 has seen huge victories for animals, including many campaigns spearheaded by Animal Outlook that have led to expanded vegan options from companies like BOCA, Dunkin’ and Starbucks. This year, the vegan market boomed, with research showing that 39 percent of Americans are “actively trying to eat more plant-based foods.” Going into 2019, this is easier than ever: new, innovative vegan products are hitting shelves and restaurants, and even meat giants like Tyson Foods are pivoting to plant-based product lines and investing in vegan companies.

If plant-based “meats” take off, they could become a transformative technology, improving Westerners’ protein-heavy diets, reducing the environmental hoofprint of animal husbandry and perhaps even cutting the cost of food in poor countries. -John Parker, the Economist

A switch to a more compassionate vegan lifestyle is more urgent than ever. And the best way for us to do that on an individual level? Eat plants, not animals. As we go into the new year, we can all make one simple change to protect animals, safeguard our own health and begin to reduce the devastating effects animal agriculture has on climate change.  

Happy New Year–and cheers to compassion.