Veganuary: A challenge to stop consuming animal products and switch to a plant based lifestyle

With the start of the year and all the good resolutions that go with it, Veganuaryis back with a bang. An NGO, born in the UK, has since 2014 has inspired more than a million people in 192 countries to try veganism during the month of January onwards. Their aim goes beyond wanting to change food, as they seek to fight for a world in which food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and thus accentuate climate change. By registering through their website and providing useful tips, from diet planning to recipes, plans and suggestions, the organisation encourages people to take up the challenge without choking.

People participating in more than 192 countries—including world-renowned ambassadors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Evanna Lynch, other figures such as Paul McCartney or Hector Bellerin—have expressed their support for the challenge. Furthermore, more than 600 companies participated in the last year, striving to increase the supply of vegan food in shops and restaurants. In such, they have 'made veganism more visible and accessible through our work with national and international media,' according to Matthew Glover and Jane Land, an entrepreneurial couple, founders of this movement.

Although the movement has been going strong for a couple of years now, it seems that the pandemic has even more called into question our food system, causing people to look for other forms of consumption.

Obviously, it has been noted that it is no easy task to convert a largely carnivorous population to veganism, but the fact that 60% of millennials are interested in adopting a flexitarian diet, thus opting for a middle ground, already offers great hope.