Using Almonds’ Environmental Impact as a Detraction from Veganism" Flashcards
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.
The critique of veganism based on almonds’ environmental impact, as a justification for complicity in animal cruelty, is flawed because vegans can avoid consuming almonds and remain vegan.
Comparing the environmental impact of almonds to the violent slaughter and cruelty of animals is disingenuous.
While almond production does use significant water, almond milk and other plant-based milks have a far lower environmental impact than cow’s milk, even in water usage.
A major study analyzing 38,700 farms in 119 countries found that cow’s milk uses significantly more land and water and generates more greenhouse gases and eutrophication than plant-based milks, including almond milk.
In context, what motivates the argument that almonds are misused 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.
How would you summarize a response to the claim that almonds are misused as a detraction from veganism?
The argument that almonds undermine veganism is flawed since vegans can avoid almonds and still adhere to their principles.
Comparing environmental impacts to the cruelty of animal slaughter is misleading.
Almond milk still has a much lower environmental impact than cow’s milk, which uses more resources and generates more pollution.
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.
- Disingenuous comparisons: Comparing almonds’ environmental impact to the violent slaughter of animals is flawed.
- Environmental impact: Compared to almond milk, cow’s milk has a much higher environmental impact.
Why is almond production and its environmental impact not considered a vegan issue?
Almond production is not a vegan issue because almonds are plants, not products of animal agriculture.
Criticizing veganism on this basis is illogical, akin to blaming veganism for unrelated plant-based issues like drug production.
Many vegans advocate for sustainability and may choose alternatives to almonds due to their relatively higher environmental impact.
Why is comparing the relative environmental impacts of almonds to animal agriculture unsound?
Veganism focuses on avoiding animal exploitation and suffering.
Although almonds are resource-intensive compared to other nuts, they do not contribute to animal suffering in the way that the meat and dairy industries do.
What is the environmental impact of cow’s milk versus almond milk?
Cow’s milk production uses significantly more water, land, and eutrophication resources and generates higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to almond milk.
What are the counterclaims to the claim that almonds are misused as a detraction from veganism?
The objection itself functions as a counterargument because it distracts from the central issue of animal cruelty.
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.
When comparing the amount of land used in raising cows for milk production in contrast to almond farming, what is the differentiating ratio?
Cow’s milk uses over 17 times more land per liter of product than almond milk production.
Which has the higher estimated water usage in its production, cow’s milk or almond milk?
Cow’s milk uses over 1.6 times as much water per liter as almond milk.
Almond milk uses less eutrophication than cow’s milk, but how much greater are the eutrophication statistics for cow’s milk?
Cow’s milk causes over 7 times the eutrophication compared to almond milk.
What was the conclusion of the comprehensive 2018 Oxford study?
The study concluded that “cow’s milk has significantly higher impacts than the plant-based alternatives across all metrics.”
Who led the 2018 Oxford study?
The study was led by J. Poore and has been called “the most comprehensive analysis to date of the damage farming does to the planet,” examining 38,700 farms in 119 countries representing 90% of the world’s protein and calorie consumption.
When studying the environmental footprints of dairy and plant-based milk industries, what unit of measure is used when calculating the data?
A liter of final product, i.e., milk, is used as the baseline for comparing environmental data in both dairy and plant-based milk production.
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?”
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, not products of animal agriculture, and the environmental impact of almond milk is far less harmful than that of dairy production.
Is almond milk purely a vegan beverage?
No. While almond milk is plant-based and conforms to vegan standards, neither vegans nor anyone else is required to use almond milk or almonds. It is simply an alternative to dairy products and a personal choice to consume.
Why is almond production not considered a vegan issue?
Almonds are plants, not products of animal agriculture, and vegans can avoid consuming them while still adhering to vegan principles.
How does the briefing counter the claim that veganism is hypocritical because of almond production?
The briefing highlights that vegans often advocate for sustainability and can choose more environmentally friendly alternatives to almonds.
What do detractors of veganism claim regarding almonds?
They argue that almonds’ environmental impact undermines veganism and demonstrates hypocrisy.
What did the Oxford study conclude about cow’s milk?
The study found that cow’s milk has significantly higher environmental impacts than all plant-based milks across all metrics.
