People 

Restoring the harmony benefits people

Ethics

There is abundant evidence that our present farming methods are causing our fellow animals - chickens, sheep, cows, pigs, etc - enormous suffering. We believe that this suffering is also harming us, not only because we are ingesting the flesh of these tortured animals, but also because we are complicit in the long-term, systematic violence and cruelty inflicted on them. Only by living in harmony with non-human animals and by causing them no harm, can we heal ourselves. See 'Animals' for more.

Health

By restoring the harmony between us and our environment - the planet that sustains us - we ensure not only our future but our present health and longevity. The link between the consumption of animal products and a myriad of diseases, including arterial disease and cancer, has been clearly shown. In addition, factory farming is consuming billions of tonnes of grain which is fed to 'beef' cattle and not to people. This contributes directly to world hunger. 

Thus, although speak! embraces and cooperates with all like-minded people, we passionately believe that only the adoption of a vegan or plant-based lifestyle can save our endangered planet and liberate the billions of non-human animals suffering daily in our modern factory-farming system. See 'Environment' and 'Animals' for more. 

Veganism

'Becoming vegan is the most important and direct change we can immediately make to save the planet and its species' (source unknown). 

By switching to a plant-based diet, we are kind to the animals. We quite literally save the lives of the animals that we would otherwise have consumed. We also spare many animals like those in the dairy industry the suffering entailed, for example that of cows artificially kept in lactation and having their calves ripped away from them, and that of male calves allowed no contact with their mothers before being sent to their cruel end.

We are also kind to ourselves. There is ample evidence that a plant-based diet is not only healthier than any other, but actively protects us against diseases such as arterial disease and cancer.

Lastly we are kind to the environment. By going plant-based or vegan, we help to lighten the great burden that animal farming has placed on the environment.

See the following sites, among others, for more on choosing the kind lifestyle of veganism:

https://vegansociety.org.za/

http://www.deeppeacetrust.com/veganism/

http://www.worldpeacediet.com/