After a tweet by Oscar winner and music composer A.R. Rahman that read, “Turning vegan for the next ten days,” Mercy For Animals India Foundation applauded the composer for his progressive decision and sent him tips to help him stay vegan for good.
Congrats @arrahman for taking a compassionate step to turn vegan. Here are a few tips to help you explore plant-based options! https://t.co/j4FTZBxopv <3 https://t.co/3l2lxHRgO6
— Mercy For Animals India (@MFA_India) August 1, 2022
“Rahman will not miss the taste of meat if he decides to make this switch permanent,” said Nikunj Sharma, chief executive officer of Mercy For Animals India Foundation, quoted in the Times of India.
India offers many plant-based meat options. The vegan food market in India is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.32 percent between 2022 and 2027. One main factor influencing the plant-based market in India is growing public awareness of the advantages of plant-based foods over animal-derived products. With so many plant-based meat options available in India and around the world—some with a taste very similar to that of animal-based meat—we’re sure Rahman would not miss animal-based meat if he chose plant-based food for good.
Animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change, responsible for about 15 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Per reports, India is at “extreme risk” of suffering the effects of climate change. In fact, the World Bank estimates that climate change could cost India 2.8 percent of its gross domestic product and depress living standards of nearly half its population by 2050.
Reducing consumption of animal-based dairy, meat, and eggs is one of the best ways to decrease our carbon footprint from food and protect the planet for future generations.