almonds: Using Almonds’ Environmental Impact as a Detraction from Veganism" Flashcards
This deck parallels the briefing at vbriefings.org/almonds
About this Deck: “Using Almonds’ Environmental Impact as a Detraction from Veganism”.
This Deck parallels the briefing at: vbriefings.org/almonds.
—There are no formal citations here, although sources may be mentioned. Full citations with links are provided in the briefing.
—It would be best to read the briefing before studying these cards. Reading the briefing first provides understanding and context.
What is the briefing titled “Using Almonds’ Environmental Impact as a Detraction from Veganism” about?
This briefing examines why using almond production’s environmental impact to distract from veganism is both logically flawed and environmentally unsound.
Provide a high-level summary of the briefing on using almonds’ environmental impact as a detraction from veganism.
Using almond production as a criticism of veganism and a justification for animal cruelty is flawed.
Vegans can avoid almonds and still be vegan, and comparing environmental impacts to the violence of animal agriculture is a category error.
While almond farming uses more water than some crops, almond milk and other plant-based milks have far lower environmental impacts than cow’s milk in terms of land, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication, as shown in a major global study.
In context, what motivates the misuse of almonds as a detraction from veganism?
Detractors from veganism often point to the environmental impact of almonds to discredit veganism and divert attention away from animal ethics and the environmental devastation caused by animal agriculture.
However, since neither vegans nor non-vegans are required to consume almond milk, the argument is moot.
What are the key points presented in the briefing on almonds?
- This is not a vegan issue: Vegans can choose not to consume almonds and still remain vegan.
- Comparing the relative environmental impacts of one particular nut to violent slaughter and cruelty is a category error.
- Compared to just almond milk, cow’s milk has a much higher environmental impact.
Why is almond production and its environmental impact not a vegan issue?
Vegans can choose not to consume almonds and still be vegan.
Can vegans be considered hypocrites for consuming almond milk in place of cow’s milk?
It is illogical to say that vegans are hypocrites, because almonds are plants and not products of animal agriculture.
In addition, the environmental impact of almond milk is far less harmful than dairy production.
Also, vegans often advocate for sustainability and often choose more environmentally friendly alternatives to almonds.
What is the environmental impact of cow’s milk versus almond milk?
Cow milk compared to almond milk:
—causes over 4 times the GHG emissions
—uses over 17 times more land
—causes over 7 times the eutrophication
—uses over 1.6 times as much water.
How does almond milk compare to cow’s milk in terms of greenhouse gas emissions?
Cow’s milk generates over 4 times the greenhouse gas emissions compared to almond milk.
How much more land does cow’s milk use per liter compared to almond milk production?
Cow’s milk uses over 17 times more land per liter of product than almond milk production.
How much more water does cow’s milk use per liter compared to almond milk production?
Cow’s milk uses over 1.6 times as much water per liter as almond milk.
How much more eutrophication does cow’s milk cause compared to almond milk?
Cow’s milk causes over 7 times the eutrophication compared to almond milk.
What was the conclusion of the comprehensive 2018 Oxford study regarding plant milks compared to cow’s milk?
The study concluded that “cow’s milk has significantly higher impacts than the plant-based alternatives across all metrics.”
For environmental consequences, how does cow’s milk compare to plant-based alternatives in general, not just almond milk?
Cow’s milk:
—causes around 3 times as much greenhouse gas emissions;
—uses around 10 times as much land
—uses 2 to 20 times as much freshwater;
—and creates much higher levels of eutrophication.”
Who led the 2018 Oxford study on the environmental consequences of farming and why is it comprehensive?
The study was led by Joseph Poore and is comprehensive because it examined 38,700 farms in 119 countries, representing 90% of the world’s protein and calorie consumption.
What resource would help provide a deeper understanding of the impact of almond and dairy milk production?
—Further reading on vBriefings - “The Environmental Impact of Animal Agriculture”.
—The Food Revolution Network article, “Are Almonds Sustainable?”
What should be your goal in discussing almonds’ environmental impact as an objection to veganism?
Your goal is to help them recognize that this argument is flawed, misplaced, and does not justify animal exploitation.
In discussing almonds’ environmental impact, what are some questions you can ask to segue the conversation back to animal ethics?
—“Are you really comparing the environmental impact of almonds to the direct violence and suffering involved in raising and slaughtering animals? How does that make sense? Isn’t that a category error?”
—“Even if almonds were environmentally damaging, would that justify the killing and exploitation of animals?”
—“When we have the option to choose foods that minimize harm to both the planet and animals, why wouldn’t we?”
Why? This keeps the focus on ethics instead of letting them use this argument as a distraction, and exposes the flawed logic of using almonds to justify harming animals.
What can you ask to expose the false link between almonds and veganism?
The argument against almonds does not undermine veganism because veganism is not dependent on almonds.
—“Will you acknowledge that vegans can choose to not eat almonds and still be vegan?”
—“If someone chooses not to consume almonds, are they no longer vegan?”
—“How does the environmental impact of one specific crop diminish the ethical principle of avoiding harm to animals?”
Why? This forces them to acknowledge that veganism is about avoiding animal exploitation, not about specific food choices.
What can you ask to show that the almond argument distracts from animal agriculture’s environmental impact?
—“If environmental impact is the concern, wouldn’t it make more sense to discuss the biggest contributors, like meat and dairy, instead of one nut?”
—“Why focus on almonds when the livestock industry is responsible for the much of deforestation, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions?”
Why? This refocuses the conversation on the true driver of environmental destruction—animal agriculture.
What can you ask to highlight that almond milk is much more sustainable than dairy?
—“Did you know that cow’s milk causes over four times the greenhouse gas emissions and uses 17 times more land than almond milk?”
—“If water use is a concern, why focus on almonds when dairy requires even more water per liter of milk?”
Why? This forces them to acknowledge that dairy is the far worse option.
How can you emphasize that plant-based milks outperform dairy in sustainability?
Ask:
—“If you’re concerned about almonds, have you considered oat, soy, or hemp milk, which have even lower environmental impacts?”
—“Since all plant milks require fewer resources than cow’s milk, why not choose the most sustainable option?”
Why? This shows them they can address their concerns while still avoiding animal exploitation.
How can you show that some vegans avoid almonds for environmental reasons?
Point out that vegans are often at the forefront of sustainability efforts.
Ask:
—“Are you aware that many vegans choose plant-based milks with lower environmental impacts than almonds?”
Why? This helps undermine the claim that veganism is tied to almond consumption.
How can you reframe the discussion around ethical consistency when discussing almonds?
Ask:
“If you don’t consume almonds because you are concerned about the environment, why would you consume animal products that have a much larger environmental impact?”
“Wouldn’t someone who genuinely cares about sustainability be more concerned about cutting out the biggest contributors to environmental harm?”
Why? Those bringing up almonds rarely apply the same scrutiny to their own diets. This encourages them to apply their reasoning consistently.
How can you address an underlying motivation behind the almond argument, which is to avoid discussing animal exploitation?
Ask:
“Is the concern really about the environment, or is it a way to dismiss veganism without engaging with its ethical basis?”
“If someone genuinely cares about sustainability, wouldn’t they be advocating for reducing animal agriculture rather than using almonds as a distraction?”
Why? This helps them recognize that this argument is often a diversion rather than a sincere concern.
