Lewis Hamilton, three-time Formula 1 world champion, is going vegan to help the planet, improve his health and to remove his financial support of animal cruelty.

As a professional race car driver, Hamilton was shocked to learn that animal agriculture emits more greenhouse gases globally than the combined exhaust of the entire transportation industry.

“They say it is more than what we produce with our flights and our cars, which is kind of crazy to think,” he said.

Hamilton first cut cows and pigs from his diet two years ago, and recently chickens, but after watching the popular Netflix documentary, What the Health, he made the decision to transition to a 100% vegan diet.

“When you watch this documentary and you see meat clogging up your arteries, you see all the stuff they put in the meat, stuff we are all eating, there is no way I am going to disregard that."

“I don't want in 10 or 20 years to have diabetes or have heart issues which has been in my family, cancer which has also been in my family. I don't want to catch any of that stuff.”

Hamilton also stated that he was no longer comfortable funding the animal agriculture industry through his meal choices after learning about the legalized animal abuse that is standard practice throughout factory farms and slaughterhouses.

“The cruelty is horrible and I don’t necessarily want to support that."

“By letting people that are following me know, maybe I can encourage a couple of people to do the same thing."

“Every person I have met who has gone vegan says it is the best decision they have ever made.”

Learn how you can transition to a compassionate, healthy and environmentally friendly diet with our free veg guide! Download it here, for a healthier you and a better tomorrow for animals and the planet.