For a £1 million charitable gift, British PM Rishi Sunak challenged to go vegan for a month

January 4th, 2023

In India, businesspeople and even politicians have traditionally been vegetarians for social reasons since decades. But it appears that some are doing so abroad for cunning reasons that mix publicity with pragmatism. This is a significant shift. For many years, the corporate world appeared to be the only setting where vegetarianism was truly opposed. Aside from India, eating anything you want has always meant meat in order to be considered wealthy. A vegetarian diet was for people who couldn't afford to eat anything else; as people's income increased, they ate more meat. In the UK and USA, businessmen would get together over beef steaks and spend their money on increasingly exotic meats like foie gras, shark fin, and fugu (potentially deadly blowfish).

But things are changing now as everyone from politicians to businessmen are contemplating the benefits of going vegan. It is crucial after all, for industry leaders and changemakers everywhere to embrace a more sustainable way of life. This is one of the reasons why British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been challenged by an international vegan organisation to go vegan for one month in exchange for a $1 million donation to the charity of his choice. Here’s a closer look at the challenge and all that it entails.

Image Source: Public News Time

The charity's CEO proposed the challenge

Generation Vegan (GenV) expressed its fervent hope that the prime minister would embrace the challenge to follow by example by eating "ethically positive" food and adopting a plant-based diet "for at least one month." The charity's CEO, Naomi Hallum, wrote to Sunak's official residence to remind him of his commitment to “protect the future of our planet,” saying he had spoken about the importance of showing compassion. “Now, we ask him to follow his words with actions, and adopt a plant-based diet for at least one month”, she said and added, “our sincere hope is that he will accept our million-pound offer. We urge him to lead by example, and showcase how satisfying, healthy, and enjoyable – as well as ethically and environmentally positive – plant- based eating can be,” Hallum said.

“Millions of people are already adopting – or moving towards – a plant-based diet to better protect their health, animals, and our planet. But now, as multiple environmental and health crises become ever more serious, we need urgent, positive and powerful leaders to set an example. Our genuine hope is that Mr Sunak provides it, and if he does, we are ready to sign that cheque for one million pounds,” Hallum said.

The motives behind GenV's 2023 vegan initiative

Matthew Glover launched Generation Vegan, which has received high-profile endorsements from people including Dr. Neal Barnard, Paul McCartney, and Alicia Silverstone. According to the charity, it has succeeded in providing one million plant-based meals to communities around the world.

Rishi Sunak is being urged to become vegan by vegan charities for the following reasons:

- To stop the climate catastrophe, going vegan is a safe bet
- Veganism will help the environment and British farmers
- For business innovation that is plant-based
- Plant-based diets are better for us
- Veganism as an act of charity

Through the first ten days of the new year, full-page advertisements in four major UK newspapers and billboards at Westminster Underground Station will urge the Prime Minister to accept the vegan charity's challenge, giving him until end of this month to respond.

Image Source: UK Government

Has Sunak accepted the challenge?

Sunak practises Hinduism, and a portion of this religion typically abstains from eating meat. The prime minister may have been informed of the contribution offer, but 10 Downing Street has not made any comments about it, according to a spokesman.

Previous challenges made by GenV

According to a study, animal husbandry contributes at least 16.5% of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions, and that percentage is predicted to rise in the future. Former American president Donald Trump and the Pope were two renowned figures who GenV has previously challenged to become vegans for a good cause. Trump, though, turned down the offer, and the Pope remained silent.

Researchers at the Natural History Museum claim that Britain is one of the nations with the least amount of natural resources in the world because animal agriculture takes up 85% of the nation's total agricultural area.