TOBIAS LEENAERT
Born in Belgium, 1973
Co-Founder, Proveg International
1️⃣ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EAT ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
My thinking process started when I couldn't find a good answer to the question: Why do I eat cows but not dogs? I loved meat and kept continuing eating animals for ten years before I stopped.
2️⃣ WHICH RESTAURANT DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO?
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I love having a seven course dinner in the fancy ones... And I often find myself torn between supporting vegan restaurants and increasing demand for vegan dishes in non-vegan restaurants.
3️⃣ HOW IMPORTANT IS EFFECTIVENESS WHEN IT COMES TO DOING GOOD?
The question almost sounds tautological to me. I mean, do you want to do good or not? If you do, you're going to want to realize as much good as possible, as soon as possible, as cheaply as possible, no?
4️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?
I guess that must be cooking and eating. Does that count as one?
5️⃣ NOW YOU HAVE THE MIC.
That we humans are being the devils to animals in this world, while we could just as well be angels for them.
NICK HALLA
Born in the US, 1982
Senior Vice President for International, Impossible Foods
1️⃣ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EAT ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I have been around agriculture and food my entire life starting from growing up on a family dairy farm, but I wasn’t aware of the large scale impact it is imposing on the environment until my first conversation with Dr. Pat Brown, the founder and CEO of Impossible Foods. The statistics were a revelation to me—animal agriculture uses approximately 45% of the global land surface, produces more greenhouse gases than all the transportation systems combined, and takes more than 25% of the freshwater used each year. It's by far the biggest driver of water pollution, species loss, and land degradation. I attempt to reduce my personal footprint in any practical way I can, so each year I’ve eaten less and less animal products. Impossible products have been a huge enabler for me; it would be much more difficult to eat vegetarian without Impossible available.
2️⃣ WHICH RESTAURANT DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO?
I’m fortunate enough to be based in Hong Kong which is home to many of the world’s most discerning foodies and trendsetting chefs, so I enjoy trying many different types of new cuisine around town. My recent favourite is Peking Garden, which has just launched a delicious seasonal menu using Impossible Beef to recreate eight traditional Chinese signature dishes, including dumplings, braised meatballs, and sweet & sour meat. I was blown away by the tenderness of the meatballs and how hearty and meaty the dishes are.
3️⃣ WHAT DO YOU WISH TO ACHIEVE WITH IMPOSSIBLE FOODS?
We aim to transform the global food system by creating delicious, nutritious meat, fish, and dairy foods all directly from plants.
Ten years ago, very few people were talking about the global environmental impact of the animal agricultural system as it relates to our food systems. Sustainability meant things like energy efficiency and waste management, but Pat was one of the firsts to raise awareness of how animal agriculture is responsible for the devastating effects of climate change, massive resource use, and global collapse of biodiversity.
To solve this, we want to replace old animal-based technology in the global food system by using plant-based ingredients to replicate and beat the meaty taste and deliciousness that people love in meat—but with a significantly lower environmental impact. Our goal is to be more delicious, more nutritious, more sustainable, and more affordable as we scale. Then choosing Impossible’s plant-based foods becomes an easy choice for consumers.
4️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?
I love nature and being outdoors which certainly started while on the family farm. We were outdoors 365 days a year and I learned to respect and treasure the nature around me. Earth is such an amazing planet with countless places to explore. I love to hike, trail run, and explore new places. This is often how I find inspiration and free my mind. I’m very lucky to be in Hong Kong where there are endless trails and islands to enjoy!
5️⃣ NOW YOU HAVE THE MIC.
Optimism drives change and hope! There are so many challenges we need to solve that it can feel daunting but look how far we’ve come in the last 100 years, and we’re progressing forward faster every year with amazing people working on the biggest challenges!
PRINCESS MAJA VON HOHENZOLLERN
Born in Germany
Princess of the Royal Family Hohenzollern
1️⃣ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EAT ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I don't want another living creature to suffer for my food, especially since it's not necessary. About 64 billion animals are cruelly killed every year to end up on our plates. They suffer torture in cramped stables, do not even see heaven in their lifetime and are murdered as infant animals. In addition, two-thirds of the world's grain harvest is wasted on animals for meat production, although about 820 million people suffer from starvation. Millions more people could be fed if the grain and water were given directly to them as food. Cows and pigs in factory farms are the biggest CO² polluters in the world and contribute significantly to environmental pollution. If you think about the future of your children, the scarce resources and the environment, you should go vegan.
2️⃣ WHICH RESTAURANT DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO?
I try every new vegan restaurant I discover on my travels around the world. But I also love to cook myself. Vegan cuisine is so versatile and delicious that I always like to try new dishes. By the way, I had one of the best eight-course vegan menus in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai when I was awarded the "Asia Design Award" for best designer.
3️⃣ HOW DOES BEING A ROYAL FAMILY MEMBER MAKE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PEOPLE?
The history of my family is very significant and I am in the public eye as a well-known personality. However, I personally respect and value every person equally, no matter where they come from or what their status is. What is important to me is that people achieve something, that they have values, are loyal and also work selflessly for others.
4️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?
My great passion belongs to animals and I have been a committed animal rights activist for many years. I am particularly committed to rescuing street animals and live with almost 20 dogs and cats myself, all of which I have rescued from the streets or animal killing centres. I have already been a patron of "Pet Adoption Day“ in China. In addition, as a designer, I love creative design and art. I also love to travel and am interested in other countries. I have been to Asia many times and would like to get to know more of this impressive culture. Sport is also one of my hobbies.
5️⃣ WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I am just launching my bathroom fittings & accessories and bathtub collection "Royal Bath" (Bravat). It is the first vegan and PETA-certified sanitaryware collection on the market. The aim is to give bathrooms a royal elegance on a high, modern level. Everyone should feel like living in a castle with my products. From the end of February, the "Royal Bath Collection" by "Princess Maja von Hohenzollern" will also go on sale in China, following its successful launch in Germany.
6️⃣ NOW YOU HAVE THE MIC.
All living beings, humans and animals, should be treated equally with love and respect.
PETER SINGER
Born in Australia, 1946
Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University
1️⃣ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EAT ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Because I learned that many of the animals I was eating had lived miserable lives, crowded inside big sheds in conditions completely unsuited to their natural instincts, which they still retained. This led me to think about the ethics of how we treat animals, and I realized that I had unthinkingly accepted that we humans are entitled to treat animals as best suits us, without regard for their lives or their well-being. I began to see that as "speciesism" which, like racism and sexism, is an ideology by which the dominant powerful group justifies its exploitation of those who they wish to use to further their own interests. Once I saw this, I could not be complicit in this exploitation, and stopped eating animals.
2️⃣ WHICH RESTAURANT DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO?
I am very fond of Chinese food—and no, I am not saying this just because this is an interview for Chinese people. I particularly like Sichuan dishes, and so does my wife, so we often go to Sichuan restaurants.
3️⃣ WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PRACTICAL ETHICS?
What kind of a question is that? Practical ethics is about how we ought to live! You should rather ask: How can any thoughtful person not be interested in practical ethics?
4️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?
Hiking. I like to get out into nature, especially mountains, and enjoy beautiful scenery, fresh air, and good exercise.
5️⃣ NOW YOU HAVE THE MIC.
Live so as to make the world a better place, and you will live a better life for yourself too.
MATTHEW GLOVER
Born in the UK, 1972
Business Activist — Co-Founder of Veganuary and VFC, Managing Director of Veg Capital
1️⃣ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EAT ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
My family (on my mother’s side) were butchers and meat traders, so I spent time as a child in a slaughterhouse and butcher’s shops. I always understood from a young age that the meat on my plate had come from a living and breathing animal. I always felt uncomfortable about this, and at the age of 28, I just decided to give up eating animals. It then took me a further 10 years to make the connection with cruelty in the dairy and egg industries after watching undercover footage online. It was the best decision of my life.
2️⃣ WHICH RESTAURANT DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO?
My favourite restaurant has recently closed—because I have gone into business with the owner and we’re making Vegan Fried Chick*n from there 😊 For three years I had been a customer of the restaurant, and always the VFC from the menu—it’s so good. We’re now selling
VFC in the UK, and have big plans to take it global.
3️⃣ WHY DID YOU START VEGANUARY, VEG CAPITAL AND VFC?
Everything my wife (Jane) and I do is for the animals. That is our sole focus in life. Veganuary is our way to help with the demand side of the problem—helping people to go vegan, or at least reduce their consumption. Veg Capital and VFC is working on the supply side—helping to get better alternatives to animal products on to the market.
4️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY?
I’m afraid I have no time for hobbies. I feel that the animals need my sole focus and I try to be as effective as I can with the time available to me.
5️⃣ NOW YOU HAVE THE MIC.
Please stop eating animals.