“2021 is the year for positive action and Veganuary is urging everyone to embrace this opportunity to reshape the future.”

According to data compiled by Dr Helen Harwatt from Harvard University’s Animal Law and Policy program, Veganuary participants have saved more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2eq, and six million litres of water.

Studying the impact of the month-long vegan pledge on the environment as a collective,  Harwatt said that while the CO2eq saved is equivalent to driving around the world almost 15,000 times, the amount of water saved is the equivalent of flushing the toilet almost half a million times.

The data shows the initiative has also saved 405 tonnes of PO43-eq (eutrophication) – the same as 1,645 tonnes of sewage.

In addition, Vegan Society’s calculations reveal participants have saved more than 3.4 million animals.

Veganuary effect

Veganuary has inspired and supported more than one million people in 192 countries to try vegan for January since its first effort in 2014.

The global pledge to try vegan for the 31 days of January has kicked off its 2021 campaign.

It aims to encourage more people in becoming part of a global mass movement championing compassionate food choices with the goal of ending farming, protecting the planet and improving human health.

‘Positive action’

Commenting on the Harvard findings, the charity, founded by Matthew Glover and Jane Land, said: “These figures offer hope that together we can tackle the two biggest threats currently facing us: catastrophic climate breakdown and a global pandemic. Both [are] heavily linked to our consumption of animal products.

“2021 is the year for positive action and Veganuary is urging everyone to embrace this opportunity to reshape the future.”

‘Renewed commitment’

Chris Packham, an environmentalist and Veganuary Ambassador, added: “Trashing the planet does none of us any good, as the coronavirus pandemic shows all too clearly. But we can emerge from this stronger and wiser, with a renewed commitment to protecting the environment, its inhabitants and our own futures. Being vegan is a great way to support the natural world and to live sustainably.

This year, the charity is targeting a global total of 500,000 sign-ups through the Veganuary website alone. You can be part of the Veganuary pledge here.

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