September 26, 2023

The History Of Veganism


Learn more about veganism, The Vegan Society and how it all started

The vegan logo is a widely recognised symbol used to identify vegan-friendly products and services. It usually consists of the letter “V” with a green leaf inside of it. How much do you know about it and veganism itself?

Photo by Vegan Liftz

Visit activeplantbased for professional help and plant-based nutrition training.


The Vegan Society

The Vegan Society was founded in 1944 by Donald Watson and his wife, Dorothy, in the United Kingdom. The organisation has since grown to become a leading authority on veganism and vegan lifestyles.

The Vegan Society has had a major influence on veganism over the years. They have advocated for and spread awareness about veganism, encouraged plant-based diets, and provided resources and support to those who wish to become vegan. They have also supported academic research into veganism and animal rights and helped shape public perception and policy related to veganism.

It has also played a vital role in promoting veganism, advocating for animal rights, and raising awareness about the environmental, ethical, and health benefits of veganism. They have also launched various campaigns and initiatives, such as Veganuary and World Vegan Day, in order to further spread their message and encourage people to adopt vegan lifestyles.


How many vegans are we?

Worldwide, it’s estimated that there are around 375 million vegans today.

The number of vegans is increasing at a rapid rate. In 2020, The Vegan Society reported an increase of 350% in vegan searches on Google compared to the year before. This is likely due to increased awareness about veganism, thanks in part to the work of vegan activists and people’s individual realisation.


The Vegan Logo

The vegan logo was first created in 1994 by the Vegan Society as a way to recognise products that are safe and suitable for vegans. It has since become one of the most widely recognised symbols used to identify vegan-friendly products and services.

Here you can find the ultimate guide for different kinds of vegan logos, signs and symbols.

Today, there are various communities and accounts on social media like plantbasednews and vegansociety, that we talked about above, that you can join, connect with other fellow vegans, express yourself and learn more abou the plant-based lifestyle.

You can also follow me on @activeplantbased for vegan recipes and knowledge content :)


The Effects Of Veganism

The environmental and health benefits of veganism are widely accepted. Studies have shown that vegan diets can significantly reduce one’s carbon footprint and water footprint. As far as the health benefits for us humans, vegan diets are associated with lower risks of heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, as well as a decreased risk of certain cancers. For humans, veganism is also believed to improve overall health, increase energy, and reduce the risk of some diseases.

Plant-based foods require fewer resources to produce than animal-based foods, meaning that they have a lower environmental impact. Eating a vegan diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint because it reduces your consumption of methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases that are released during the production of animal-based foods.

Photo by Zuriel Escobedo

Did you know that producing just one burger patty requires an estimated 2250 litres of water and around 70–100 megajoules of energy? Compared to a plant-based burger, the latter requires an estimated 75–95 litres of water and 10–14 megajoules of energy. This is a significant difference.


Veganism isn’t just a diet

Let’s not forget that beyond dietary choices, veganism extends to various aspects of life, including fashion.

Animal-derived materials like leather, fur and wool are often used in clothing and accessories. However, an emerging trend in the fashion industry is vegan or cruelty-free fashion. This means opting for alternatives such as synthetic leather or sustainable plant-based fabrics. You can also make a positive impact by opting for thrifted or second-hand clothing, reducing the demand for new animal-derived fashion items and promoting sustainable, eco-friendly fashion practices.

Speaking from experience, you can actually find some great and unique clothing pieces second-hand!

Supporting ethical fashion aligns with the principles of veganism, promoting a more compassionate and sustainable approach to clothing and personal style.


Thank you for reading and supporting our love for vegan nutrition.

If you want to know more about our nutrition programs, visit activeplantbased.

activeplantbased 🐇