Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

Educating and Saving the Earth Through Veganism

My name is Olivia. I am a 20-year-old college freshman at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. I live in Sonora, Kentucky in the United States. I have a passion for making the world healthier and happier. Seeing the negative impact of simple lifestyle changes and knowing that it is entirely probable to fix the earth's environmental issues stirs a fire inside of me to spread my knowledge. Ecology is all about seeing the connections in our environment and especially that connection between humanity and the earth. The connection between human food production and the earth is one of the biggest I've seen in my life. There are multiple connections to water consumption, deforestation, animal cruelty, climate change, and more. This scholarship drew my attention because I value nature's peace and the health it provides for us. It's our habitat; our home. It's meant to be cherished. I want to see the earth at its peak. Ecology has always fascinated me as well, the various connections and impacts of the magnanimous variety of species and habitats on earth.

My project was to educate and promote others on the negative impacts of eating meat and dairy on the earth and the animals living here; but also, on the luxuries of eating vegan. I did this by working to find recipes and cook vegan-friendly foods for family and friends in my community. Kentucky is one of the top meat-eating states in the U.S. So, promoting animal preservation and veganism here isn't easy. But that means there are many opportunities to teach people about being vegan and saving our animals from the cruelties of food production. This has been an ongoing project over the past 3 years. But in 2022 I set out to share my knowledge; by creating and cooking 50 recipes with no animal products. I also listed plant-based products to family members, as well as posted a 1,500-word essay about the environmental effects of eating meat and dairy to a newly joined vegan forum.

Accomplishments include teaching 30 friends and family the criteria of vegan products and making plant-based recipes with them; that they then later made for themselves. Having my friends and families choose vegan options that we can share, as opposed to meat and dairy meals. Creating and trying 50 new animal-friendly recipes, which included vegan cinnamon rolls, lemon cupcakes made by my aunt, pumpkin muffins by my sister (that the whole family now adores), Oreo truffles, pancakes, cheesecake, and more. An estimated year of being vegan for one person would equate to 365 animals saved, 10,095 sq ft (about twice the area of a basketball court) of forest saved, 401,500 gallons (about 1519842.12 L) of water, 7,300 pounds of CO2 reduced, and 14,600 pounds of grain kept. This was achieved times four for the other members of my family.

In my state, everyone has been raised brainwashed to believe that killing and eating animals is tradition and therefore the only way to live. Hunting woodland animals are huge here and livestock is a high-ranking industry. Of the food produced in Kentucky 89% is used for animals. There are almost no efforts here to promote plant-based lifestyles or environmental conservation. It is a traditional state, and the tradition is harming the earth. It is so important that knowledge of preserving our land and animals be spread to the people here because there are so few here that know anything about it. And because this state contributes a large part to the animal food production industry. These industries are a big contributor to deforestation, water consumption/contamination, and animal cruelty. It breaks my heart whenever I drive by these cattle farms swamped in manure polluting the air and treating these animals so inhumanely. I want to see a world where not only is completely absent from this state but also this country and the world. And instead drive through Kentucky and see prospering plants and crops of all varieties in the place of those farms.

The project encourages my family and friends to choose cleaner food options for our environment, potentially saving thousands of animal lives. My family members and friends are actively buying plant-based products in replacement of animal-derived foods. My essay educates and allows for a better perspective to shine into the minds of those who don't know any other lifestyle.

This project has provided me and my community with healthier and environmentally friendly food options. These were a lot of fun to make and guilt-free knowing the climate is being saved by this simple lifestyle change. Educational teaching to others has sparked a passion for helping the earth by telling people about the connections between our foods and the environment. Knowing that all efforts I make towards spreading my understanding will move the world step by step closer to less hunger, less slaughtered animals, more water, less air, and water contamination, and more trees brings me joy like no other. All potential positive changes these future efforts could make in our world are exhilarating. The project has inspired me to take even more action towards animal and forest conservation, but also education and promotion of this tremendous way of life.