@DarkScribe – While a vegan diet incorrectly formulated may not be the best for long-term health, perhaps other aspects of the vegan lifestyle would help us leave lighter footprints on the Earth.
Being a vegan means avoiding the use of animal products in any way, not just as food. From Wikipedia:
“The term “animal product” in a vegan context refers to any material derived from animals for human use. Notable animal products include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, honey, fur, leather, wool, and silk. Common animal by-products include gelatin, lanolin, rennet, whey, casein, beeswax, isinglass, and shellac.” Note: there are two types of isinglass. One is the mineral mica, and the other is made from fish gelatin.
So by avoiding wearing fur and leather, for example, you are still practicing aspects of the vegan lifestyle. Or by avoiding consuming meat but still consuming dairy products and unfertilized eggs you would be approaching aspects of a vegan lifestyle.