We should present veganism as commendable, and offsetting as a legitimate stopping point for individual supporters.
I’m highly concerned by a) the stagnant levels of veganism over the past few decades (between 1%-5%, rarely more, even with the growth of alt proteins), and b) high to very high levels of vegan recidivism.
It seems quite clear to me that we badly need alternative ways for people to support the animal movement beyond 100% diet change. I think it's possible 100% diet change (i.e. veganism) may be holding us back as a movement.
I don’t think the philosophical consistency around offsetting your diet matters as much as some think it does — veganism is philosophically consistent; it’s also remarkably unpopular! If donating can be a valid way for people who would not meaningfully consider diet change to support the animal movement, I think that's great, particularly given we're a cash strapped movement right now.
Some caveats:
Veganism still seems important as an end goal, and as a position that those who are v committed can take if they want to. I do think that having a strong and committed base of animal advocates who live out these principles is great, and that veganism as a practice/culture/identity can help to bring talent into the movement. In an ideal world, it can also serve as a positive and laudable symbol of taking pro-animal sentiment to its logical conclusion.
I'm concerned by movement infighting and think we should try not to upset/anger grassroots activists with a shift to donation-based (or other alternative forms of) advocacy. This is probably a hard balance to strike, but worth considering carefully.
Donation-based advocacy won't be worth prioritising forever. At some stage, we may have enough donations/resources that other pro-animal actions will be more impactful.
I haven't seen much data on the extent to which garnering donations from groups unreceptive to diet change works. Can we actually convince these groups to donate, and continue donating? V curious to learn more about this.
I’m highly concerned by a) the stagnant levels of veganism over the past few decades (between 1%-5%, rarely more, even with the growth of alt proteins), and b) high to very high levels of vegan recidivism.
It seems quite clear to me that we badly need alternative ways for people to support the animal movement beyond 100% diet change. I think it's possible 100% diet change (i.e. veganism) may be holding us back as a movement.
I don’t think the philosophical consistency around offsetting your diet matters as much as some think it does — veganism is philosophically consistent; it’s also remarkably unpopular! If donating can be a valid way for people who would not meaningfully consider diet change to support the animal movement, I think that's great, particularly given we're a cash strapped movement right now.
Some caveats: