Designing Spaces for a Thriving Future, Part 2 of 2

Today, our journey continues with the next chapter: The Transformation and Global Impact. With this vision in mind, the question is: What happens to the 41% of “surplus” land freed by a vegan transition? First, the Netherlands completes the Netherlands Nature Network (NNN). An additional 150,000 hectares are dedicated to restoring biodiversity in line with United Nations (UN) conventions. By abandoning chemical pesticides and adopting a 1:8 crop rotation, the agricultural landscape becomes a biodiverse mosaic. A population increase of 3.4 million can be accommodated under the most generous urban development scenarios, while 10% of all agricultural land remains reserved for “green-blue services” — ecological corridors and water features that weave through living spaces.

The analysis shows that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grows more in the “Veganland” scenario than in a “Business as Usual” future. Furthermore, the transition delivers a high Internal Rate of Return of 13% — far exceeding the 2–4% usually expected for major national infrastructure projects. Currently, the Netherlands relies on foreign land three times its own size to feed its population. By transitioning to a vegan diet, the Netherlands “eases the pressure” on vulnerable global ecosystems. “Nederland, Veganland” is more than a thought exercise; it shows that the most pressing challenges – housing, nitrogen, nature, and climate – are all connected to choices made at the dinner table.

Let’s hear the solution for the planet from our Beloved Master, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan). “The government can ban the meat indoor, outdoor, or in the restaurant. The government can let the public know about the beneficial effect that we can have by having vegan diet. They have to publicize it everywhere. They could also put high tax on meat or ban it altogether or ban the killing of animal-people, and educate people into a brand new, exciting way of life.”