Walk the vegan way

Did you know that when you relish a hamburger, you are depriving a person of his shower for two months? If you are wondering how food habits affect the environment, head to the screening of Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret in Lower Parel. To be held on June 4, the eve of World Environment Day, the screening has been organised by holistic health coach Bhavna Kapoor of Health Nut, a city-based nutrition consultancy for busy professionals. "With the ongoing water crisis in our state, it is imperative that we examine the deeper causes for the same, and figure whether our choices are aggravating the situation. For instance, the meat and dairy industry are extremely water-intensive," says Kapoor. The screening is in association with Navi Mumbai-based NGO Sharan that promotes veganism and focuses on creating a diabetes-free India through dietary changes.

A still from the documentary

What's it about?
Released in 2014, the 90-minute environment documentary, available on Netflix, investigates the devastating, global impact of large-scale animal farming, and offers sustainable solutions. Co-directed by San Francisco-based filmmakers Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, the film follows the Andersen, as he approaches leaders in the environmental movement and increasingly uncovers what appears to be an intentional refusal to discuss the issue of animal agriculture. The film involves expert comments from authors, animal advocators, attorneys and professors. In fact, a new cut of the docu, executive-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, premiered on Netflix last year.

According to the research undertaken by the filmmakers, animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution. It is also responsible for rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion and other evils. For instance, livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, leading to global warming. Moreover, three-fourth of the world's fisheries are exploited, where for every kilo of fish caught, five kilos of unintended marine species are caught and discarded as by-kill.

Bhavna Kapoor

Keegan Kuhn

Kip Andersen

V for vegan
The main solution offered by the docu is veganism, a dietary preference that avoids use of meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. "A vegan leaves the lowest carbon footprint on the planet," informs Kapoor, a fact that's corroborated in the documentary with statistics: A person who follows vegan diet produces 50 per cent less carbon dioxide, and uses 1/11th oil, 1/13th water and 1/18th land as compared to a meat eater. The event is open to both, vegans and non-vegans, who can also sample and pick up healthy vegan food. "Meat eaters often feel that vegan food is depriving but that's not true," adds Kapoor.

On: June 4, 5 pm
At: The Integral Space, SB Marg, Lower Parel.
Call: 9930752967