Imo it’s just really easy to switch stuff like burgers, nuggets, chicken wings, chicken breast etc. over to a (good) plant-based equivalent, I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything by doing that. It would already remove a lot of environmental destruction and animal suffering without people going fully vegetarian or vegan.

Not saying those efforts can’t be done in parallel, but subsidizing vat grown meat is necessary as well.

Yes, I agree with that and I’ll be happy when it gets affordable.

I have family members that are meat eaters, but they are often surprised how good some alternatives are nowadays when I give them new stuff to try. It’s true that some aren’t good, though. It really depends on the product. Most people haven’t tried the good ones in my experience, or don’t have them available in their region yet.

The official statistics here in Germany are that plant-based sales increased by about 15% year-on-year, and more than doubled over the last 5 years alone. It’s certainly catching on here.

Most vegetarians and vegans will be happy about positive changes. They aren’t the loudest ones, however. Similar to feminism, the most radical opinions get much more attention relative to reasonable ones. Especially by those opposed to it.

When I was a meat eater I also saw it as an all-or-nothing choice though, as if I need to fully commit all at once, which was daunting to me. Then I tried to be vegetarian for a week which was surprisingly easy. Then I had a foot in the door, decided to continue, and replaced eggs and milk as well in the following weeks.

Some people might have an easier time replacing single foods, like buying plant-based patties instead of meat ones, or just trying out a few plant-based alternatives, and that’s great too.

It’s still from factory farms with very cruel living conditions, which is why it can be so cheap.

Plant-based meat alternatives have also become much tastier, cheaper and available, especially over the last decade. Cultivated meat will be great for steaks and stuff, but for many things we already have replacements that are quite good.

Some store brand meat alternatives have already reached price parity with factory farmed meat here in Germany, and this will continue as the industry scales up.

They’re using the money they got from their customers to lobby politicians to keep doing business as usual. They have so much power because people vote with their dollar, for them, and not for sustainable alternatives.

Blaming politicians while continuing to fund these industries won’t lead to anything.