Monthly Hopium Injection #3
2023/07: A groundbreaking study on the impacts of a Vegan diet may make you reach for the new plant-based meat on the block!
To the 12 new people here, welcome! Here’s what this is:
Ho·pi·um
A Vegan cocktail of “hope” and “opium,” prescribed as a healthy dose of optimism, without the need for clinical trials.
Because here, the evidence speaks for itself.
This is a showcase of a VEGAN WORLD coming: hopeful Vegan news from the last month, all here, all NOW.
You ready?
Let’s hit it.
HOPEFUL POLICY DEVELOPMENTS
🇬🇧 UK Bans Shark Fin Imports and Exports:
This ban cements the UK as a “global leader” in shark conservation. Since the UK is home to the most Vegans in the world, they may one day become a “global leader” in total animal conservation too!
🏴 Wales Ends Animal Snaring:
These traps are typically used against foxes and rabbits, but many other animals needlessly suffer and die in their traps. While the sale of the traps isn’t covered, this ban follows a #LawsforPaws campaign from the RSPCA and includes no exceptions.
🇺🇸 US Federal Facilities Urged to be Plant-Based:
This came at a great time, following the hottest day on record! While the 2022 Biden-Harris Administration committed to transforming the federal food system to encourage climate-friendly, plant-based food, they have yet to follow through. This massive push may change that.
🍽️ Nordic Nutritionists Encourage Plant-Based Diets:
The director general of the world health organization also commended the new guidelines, stating,
“The overall recommendation to switch to a plant-based diet is in line with the current scientific literature.”
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans updates in 2025, so here’s to hoping that the US follows the evidence too!
HOPEFUL PLANT-BASED DEVELOPMENTS
🇬🇧 UK University Going 100% Vegan:
The University of Kent overwhelmingly voted in favor of transitioning to a fully Vegan menu by 2028.
The UK-based organization, Animal Rebellion, does it AGAIN with supporting another epic commitment! If we can change all of academia, we can change the world.
🇪🇸 450 Spanish Schools Serving Plant-Based Meats:
Just two months ago, I mentioned that Huera has managed to make their plant-based meat more nutritious than slaughter-based meat, so it’s even more awesome to know that this collaboration also comes with education on the benefits for the students!
🇩🇪 Germany’s Meat Consumption Hits Record Low:
✈️ World’s 1st Electric Airliner Serving Vegan Meals:
Not only that, but all meals will be fully plant-based, no disposable plastic will be used, and all staff members will be issued with eco-friendly uniforms! Since flying is one of the most carbon intensive things you can do, this is amazing. I can’t wait to fly with them on my trip to...
🇯🇵 Japan Attracts Vegan Tourists with Plant-Based Foods:
How? By offering subsidies for businesses that get veg-friendly and hiring Vegetarian and Vegan chefs as “tourism ambassadors.” If only the US would subsidize stuff like this over Dairy…
🆕 Vegan Food Releases (US Edition):
🍣 Konscious Foods rolls out their frozen Vegan sushi, poke bowls, and onigiri at Whole Foods!
🥯 Kraft-Heinz’s Philadelphia Cream Cheeze spreads across the southeastern US following massive success of their trial run!
🍄 Meati releases their signature mushroom root steak and cutlets at Whole Foods!
HOPEFUL CELL-BASED DEVELOPMENTS
🇺🇸 The US is Building the Bioworkforce of the Future:
In a post explaining Precision Fermentation, I broke down the reasons as to why this technology is so important. Rumor has it that even Joe Biden read it.
🧀 79% of Dairy Consumers will Buy Cheese Made with Precision Fermentation:
Including me. What about you?
🛢️ How to Bring Cultivated Meat to Scale:
Current Bioreactors are around <250,000L or less. Ark Biotech has models planed for 1,000,000L. Insane. Sometimes, the bottleneck is just the size of the bottle.
IN OTHER HOPEFUL NEWS…
🌍 Vegan Diet Cuts Carbon Emissions by 75%:
The real eating habits (not models, unlike previous studies) of over 55,000 people were studied to find that Vegan diets reduce water use by 54%, wildlife destruction by 66%, and methane production by 93%.
🏃 66 yo Vegan Athlete Achieves 1st Place in 48hr Ultramarathon:
The record breaking runner also meditates, and of course, has ran 74,000 km (46,000 mi) over 4 decades! A true health champion for the Vegan movement.
⚰️ Vegans Gather in Memorial Service for Animals:
While on the surface, this may not seem like “hopeful news,” there is something incredibly hopeful about a large group of people coming together to honor these beings forever lost. It helps the average person understand that we’re fighting for a group of precious individuals, not nameless resources…
🐴 Horse Racing Track to Shut Down:
☮️ Farmer Transitions From Chicken Killing to Hemp Growing:
Last month, I spoke about how Joey Carbstrong’s work contributed to the closure of a Pilgrim’s Pride factory farm. This farm here, Halley Farm, was contracted with Pilgrim’s Pride… What beautiful timing! :)
Do you feel the Hopium now, my dear reader?
Jokes aside, what from this list are you most excited about? Skeptical of? The discussion continues in the comments below!
If you want more before next month, there are dozens of developments that didn’t make the cut but are equally interesting. I share them on Substack Notes!
As always, I am grateful for your time and attention - thank you.
Be Vegan,
Dani