Brian May, music legend and well-known wildlife campaigner, has announced that he is going vegan this January with Veganuary, a charity that has helped more than half a million people worldwide try vegan in January and beyond. In an Instagram post on Saturday 28th December, the rock star said:
“This is my announcement of intent. Starting on the first of January this coming year I will be doing VEGANUARY. Which means I will eat only vegan food for that month. After that, I will take a view on whether to continue or not. I’ve already got the support of some friends who are going to join me and compare notes as we go along…. If any of you folks out there are hovering on the edge out there and want to join me too, I’d be delighted. We can mutually support each other!…. My reasons? 1) to lessen the suffering of animals. 2) To lessen the load on our groaning planet. 3) for my health. And … as an animal campaigner, it has been bothering me for a while that I still eat animal-derived food, that has caused indignity and pain to a non-human animal. So I will try to move along the line. I won’t be pressuring anyone else to do the same, and it won’t change my commitment to helping farmers solve the problem of bovine TB. But … for me … it’s time. How about a hashtag #Veganuary2020 and #VeganuaryBri Cheers folks – Bri”
Brian’s statement comes at the same time as Paul McCartney, global music icon and founder of Meat Free Monday, joins Joaquin Phoenix, Chris Packham, Evanna Lynch and other climate-conscious celebrities urging people to sign up to Veganuary and try vegan this January. In a statement released last week, Paul says:
“I’ve been vegetarian for over 40 years and have stayed with it because I believe that every meat-free meal is a win for animals and the planet. This is why I started Meat Free Monday with my daughters Mary and Stella, and it’s also why I support Veganuary. We’re all trying to make the world a bit better, so why not sign up, take part, give it a go, and see how you feel? It could be the best thing you ever did.” – Paul McCartney
