Lewis Hamilton launched into a passionate plea about climate change and the devastating effects of the meat industry in a recent Instagram post, and insisted that people need to go vegan if the planet is to survive.

The 34-year-old F1 driver, who turned vegan in 2017, shared his despair about the world in an emotional post to 13.2 million followers, which was later removed.

The posts read: “Hey world, I hope everyone’s enjoying their day. I’m sad right now with the thought of where this world is going.

“Extinction of our race becoming more and more likely as we over use our resources. The world is a messed up place. World leaders either uneducated or don’t care about the environment at all.

“Agriculture farming is the largest pollutant (sic) we currently have by over 50 percent, far more than our travel industry combined. I’m sad to see so many people, even close friends ignore what is happening daily.

“Education is key and we were taught that eating animal products was good for us but we’ve been lied to for 100s of years,” he continued.

Lifestyle

Some users highlighted that Hamilton’s lifestyle and career might not be the most beneficial for the planet. 

But Hamilton admitted it had taken him 32 years to understand the impact he was having on the world, adding he was working on how to play a better part.

Earlier this year, he sold off his private jet, which he often used to travel between his homes in Los Angeles and Heathrow.

‘Striving to do better’

Continuing his message, he added: “Being a part of the issue is not meaningful. Being part of the solution is and I’m striving to do better.

“I urge you to do some research, find the compassion I know you have within you to recognise what you are contributing to in terms of what you eat which keeps the meat and dairy industry flourishing and therefore deforestation, animal cruelty, our seas and climate decaying on a daily basis.

“Go vegan, it is the only way to truly save our planet today. It can be done so quickly, all you have to do is put your mind to it,” he implored.

He ended his post with a dispirited message stating: “Honestly I feel like giving up on everything. Shut down completely. Why bother when the world is such a mess and people don’t seem to care. I’m going to take a moment away to gather my thoughts. Thank you to those of you who do give a damn about the world.” 

Most of Hamilton’s detractors attacked his posts because of his association with one of the world’s most environmentally hostile sports, which allows him to use up to 110kg of fuel in a single race.

Most of his fans stood up for the star sportsperson and countered the abuse his posts had attracted.

Formula 1 has also taken steps to make the sport more sustainable and less detrimental to the environment.

Chase Carey, the series chief told Auto Sport, explained: “You’ll see between now and year end the sustainability issue becoming much more front and centre.

“It’s part of our story, and actually something we’ve talked with in private with a number of our partners, and they’re quite excited about it.”

What do you think of Lewis Hamilton’s thoughts on climate change and veganism? Share your opinions in the comments section below!