Do we really make a difference in the world as vegetarians?

I think we do, but I am curious what you think. Tell me if you think we make a difference and if so, how do we make a difference?

There's a lot more to it than just being vegetarians or belonging to groups which advocate animal rights and changes in the world. Change will never happen as long as our society has the large department stores because the lack of change, the cheap and dirty way of doing things is all complexly intertwined. I think if our society can go back to shopping only at small stores and businesses where people can make better choices then we can make a difference.

I am for organic farming. Eating food in season and not that which is grown miles away or transporting live animals or battery farming- chickens- fed on hormones etc- yuck!!. I eat mostly vegetables as I love them and they are cheap.

Vegetarianism will be the way forward when land and water becomes scarce as it takes up less resources environmentally but provides good nutrition and contributes to good health- so vegetarians are doing their bit for the environment- big time already.

I'm not vegetarian, but have a 90% vegetarian diet. If the meat is not organic and locally sourced on a local farm - then i'd rather a few home grown tomatoes on toast or vegetable stew.

I have looked in to vegetarian diets- low biological value proteins combined to give high biological value level proteins, the equivalent to those found in meat, iron from green veg etc and it is just as healthy, if not more so than a meat diet. Think bowel cancer and heart disease that can be caused from a diet too high in red meat- saturated fat etc and vegetarians save the nhs money too. Vegetables also provide vitamins and minerals.

It's common sense that if we have to grow crops that we could survive on to feed animals, that this takes more energy and resources.

Not really, you are just tolerated by the rest of the normal eaters.

the only difference you make is bringing in good revenue for the pysch wards...

as far as other vegans - no not really. i'm not saying this to rock the boat - i'm vegetarian myself, i just don't see that it is a world changing thing. i make my decisions for myself though - not for the rest of the world. you should try that concept sometime...

oh, and scottie, don't tell her she's hot - next she'll be wanting to cheat on cornelieus with you too. i like you too much to see it come to that...

Christy, you don't make any difference in the world. Particularly as a vegetarian. In fact, all you contribute to the world is hated and segregation. Way to go, loser.

It is a personal decision to be vegetarian, so it is on a personal basis we make a difference.
Many meat eaters are switching to meat produced in an ethical way, thanks to the publicity over the cruelty inflicted on some animals, including the advise by Jamie Oliver.

I am not vegetarian because I expect to change the lives of non vegetarians, but by not buying meat and fish products, I am denying my money being used to encourage the meat and fish bad practises.

You? No.

Well, I'm sorry, but just as many animals are killed and sold, and I know people don't want to beleive it, but it's true.

Yes. I get grilled with questions when people find out I am vegetarian. Many people admit they would like to try it and say they will when they find out how easy it is, how great I look & feel since I switched (it has been just over a year).

Plus one person can make a difference in the world. It just might not be visible right away.

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

My contribution may be small on its own, but combined with the contribution of everyone else who refuses to support a cruel and wasteful industry, it makes a difference. I am only responsible for my own choices, not anyone else's, but that doesn't mean I don't have the obligation to make them count.

At least we aren't eating animals that have been abused.

slowly, yes. remember this story:

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, 鈥淲hat are you doing?鈥?br>
The youth replied, 鈥淭hrowing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don鈥檛 throw them back, they鈥檒l die.鈥?br>
鈥淪on,鈥?the man said, 鈥渄on鈥檛 you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can鈥檛 make a difference!鈥?

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said鈥︹€?br> I made a difference for that one.

Any group with dedication to some kind of break from the norm will inevitably make a difference, so absolutely. How big of a change that is is harder to say, but it's obviously proportional to the size and influence of the group.

More importantly, vegetarians make a huge difference in their own lives--not only health-wise, but mentally (through will power) and/or empathetically (through compassion and whatnot) depending on the motivation, of course.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with vegetarianism, it does make a difference. I'm not a vegetarian, but it seems to me that most, if not all (I don't completely understand the health pros and cons) of the difference vegetarianism makes is generally good.

you make a difference in my life babe... I can rest knowing I have not let any corn kernels pass through my body completely wasted, you know how i hate wasting food... and my mother loves your corn casseroles.
You really are the wind beneath my sheets babe.

i dont think so.
youre making a difference for yourself.

but the same amount of animals are still being killed.
same amount of meat is being sold at stores..
youre really not making a difference.

Yes. The average vegetarian prevents about 100 animals from being bred and slaughtered every year.

The number of animals that are bred and slaughtered depends directly on the consumer demand for meat. Every time we refrain from purchasing meat in a grocery store, we reduce this consumer demand, and ensure that fewer animals will be bred and forced to suffer in the future.

If you think you make a difference, then you do. Even if the only difference is that it makes you feel better then it's worth it.

Yes we DO make a difference.

Vegetarians are hot.

Yes, some difference.

Hello,

(ANS) Do we really make a difference in the world as vegetarians?

The ANSWER IS 100% YES! The world is running out of wheat grains this year, why? because most of it is being used for feeding cattle to create MEAT. To produce x1 kilo of cow flesh takes about 60 kilos of wheat grain. Just so humans can eat a horrible McDonald's Burger in a bun?

**NOTE:- The other % of wheat that isn't used to feed cattle is used increasingly to manufacture Bio Fuels.

**Being a vegetarian or a vegan means we tread far more lightly on mother earth, we DON'T consume as many resources and so less harm. Vegetarianism & Vegan-ism IS sustainable in terms of the earths resources but if humans insist on being meat eaters & killing animals its not sustainable in my opinion.

Ivan
(I've been a vegetarian for almost 30 years now)

I believe so. You save quite a few animals each year by not buying meat. You also help save the planet, because meat production uses fossil fuels, tons of land. It takes about 6 pounds of grain and soybeans and over 300 gallons of water for a cow to produce 1 pound of beef! A lot of people can be fed from all of that feed too, so you are also helping reduce famine. :) I feel a lot more at peace with myself since I went veg.

Edit: It also makes a difference to your wallet.

Yes, you are. Every little bit helps. Ignore the people that just say "you shouldn't do it because you think you're making a difference," or you're just creating MORE methane by raising more crops. They're contradicting themselves, since "you don't make a difference" then the little more veggies you need won't make a difference. Besides, what these people think isn't really helping, they'll be biased based on their beliefs. What YOU think is what matters to you, not everyone here.

For every person who goes veggie they stop another animal from suffering a barbaric fate.

I hope so, the more that are, the less call for meat.

Of course we do. Each vegetarian saves at the least 100 animals a year. We also influence other people to make healthier food choices and live a healthier lifestyle.

Yes, you contribute to the earth's population of scum.

There is more meat available for those who enjoy it,they dont need as many animals being bred,the more vegetarians there are then the more countryside is dug up and cultivated for veg crops,veggies,as bovine creatures do, generate more methane gas.Just A FEW THOUGHTS.

No.

not really...im sorry but the animals were made from God to provide for us...He obviously knew what he was doing when he made them for us to eat..
so stop trying to do things because you think its helping..

You make it slightly smellier.

No

You save more meat for the rest of us.

Thank You.