The Evolution of the Vegan Movement: From Climax to Correction

Has the vegan movement reached its peak, and if so, when? In my opinion, the movement reached its climax towards the end of 2021. Following this peak, there was a noticeable decline in the availability of vegan products in stores, such as the closure of Ozo Foods, a brand that seemingly vanished without a trace. My own journey to a pescatarian diet in 2022 also reflects a broader shift within the vegan community. While I still adhere to a predominantly plant-based diet, incorporating seafood into my meals has shown that the movement may have experienced a brief plateau, correction, or retracement rather than a definitive climax. A bubble seemed to have existed for a period, as big players brought veganism from a niche interest to mainstream awareness.

Transition from Niche to Mainstream

Big bucks indeed transformed veganism into a mainstream phenomenon. With the rise in the number of vegans, there was a corresponding increase in ex-vegans, fueled by greater awareness of the potential dangers of veganism. Social media played a significant role in spreading this awareness, ensuring that information could reach a broader audience more effectively than in previous times. This shift implies that traditional methods of garnering corporate support through mainstream media were no longer sufficient.

The vegan movement experienced a significant growth surge during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of vegans increased from around 45 million to more than 80 million, illustrating the movement's resilience and appeal during challenging times. This growth can be attributed to the health and environmental benefits associated with a plant-based diet, as well as the growing recognition of the inefficiencies and sustainability issues in traditional meat production.

Long-term Trends and Future Projections

While 2016 may have seemed particularly popular for veganism, my personal experience and observations indicate that the movement has consistently grown in popularity. This progression is likely to continue as the global population expands and the demand for meat-intensive diets becomes less sustainable. In the long run, the production of meat will become increasingly expensive and might even become a luxury item, limited to the wealthy. Adopting a plant-based diet is not only more efficient in terms of land use but also more equitable, as it allows us to feed more people without the inefficiency of feeding plants to animals for consumption.

Furthermore, as land becomes a scarce resource, the necessity for a more plant-based diet will become even more pronounced. The movement towards a more sustainable and ethical way of eating is not a fleeting trend but a growing reality. The potential to explore alternative protein sources, such as soy and other plant-based products, indicates that the future of food security lies in plant-based alternatives. Even without scientific evidence, the consumption of plant-based products could be a precursor to more extreme measures, such as the hypothetical Soylent Green scenario, where alternative food sources are essential for survival.