Is Sir David Attenborough vegan or vegetarian, given his view that billions of meat eaters will disastrously impact the planet?
Many view the 96-year-old nature and wildlife presenter as a national treasure for bringing the natural world to our TV screens for many years.
In recent times, Attenborough was the voice of the doc A Life on our Planet, known for environmentalism and raising awareness for the state of the planet.
While he may choose to push the idea that we must stop eating meat, does he do so with his diet and is he vegan?
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"We must change our diet."
- Sir David Attenborough
At its current rate, our planet can't support animal agriculture and the mass farming of crops to feed billions of animals raised to feed meat eaters.
Attenborough holds this view as true and agrees that raising this many animals for meat is something we must strive to move away from over time for its impact on the planet.
But does this mean the national treasure follows the same advice with his own diet and does this mean he should?
So, is David Attenborough a Vegan or Vegetarian?
Attenborough tries to do what he can to make a positive change to the planet. Still, he does not follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
While speaking with Good Housekeeping in October 2020, he stated, "I have certainly changed my diet."
Some sources have also stated that he has not eaten red meat for months and is shifting his diet towards plant-based, as he believes we all should.
Speaking with Radio Times, the wildlife presenter added, "[We] have overrun the Earth [and] have completely destroyed that world."
He also recognises that the main issue is the mass farming needed for a planet of meat-eating dieters.
"The planet can't support billions of meat-eaters. If we all ate only plants, we'd need only half the land we use at the moment."
As for his diet, he added, "I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But I've become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be."
With many people around the globe taking steps to lessen their impact on the planet, reducing meat intake in the diet is one of the more popular options.
The drastic impact on the climate means he no longer has the same appetite for red meat and recognises a need for change.
While the state of the planet hasn't turned Attenborough vegan entirely, he now advocates for a plant-based diet and calls on the masses to stop eating meat.
Billions of Meat Eaters, Our Planet Needs Action!
As a result of his many documentaries surrounding nature, climate change and environmentalism, his stance on his own diet has caused some challenge from climate activists and vegans alike.
Those who recognise the impact meat has on the planet call to the highly influential voice of David Attenborough to make a change and inspire others to do so.
With over half of the fertile land on Earth now being used as farmland, the renowned narrator believes we may have completely destroyed Earth.
Yet, he has not made the full switch to the vegan diet.
He responded to the criticism with, "I eat fish and chicken, and my conscience does trouble me. I'm affluent enough to afford free range, but it's middle-class hypocrisy."
Is it his responsibility, with his influence, to change his diet and set an example for change?
The above question has been pivotal in recent criticism and calls on more people who promote activism for our planet and the environment to stop eating meat.
