James Cameron Urges National Geographic Gala Attendees to Consider Vegan Diet

The National Geographic Society honored filmmaker James Cameron at its 125th anniversary gala as “Explorer of the Year” for his successful solo dive to the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean last year, and Cameron took a moment during his speech to urge the room of scientists and explorers to consider becoming vegan or vegetarian, according to a Mother Nature Network report.

“I’ve had an epiphany recently,” Cameron said. “I want to challenge all of you as people of deep conscience, people who are environment stewards of the earth and oceans … By changing what you eat, you will change the entire contract between the human species and the natural world.”

Cameron announced he had switched to a vegan lifestyle in October last year, and explained how it had a big impact on him during his speech. “I felt like I was waking up from a long sleepwalk. I believe we are all sleepwalking off a cliff if we don’t do this,” he said.

Last summer, Cameron revealed his wife, Suzy Amis, was gradually shifting the family toward a more plant-based diet, and had transformed their New Zealand farm from dairy to crop based, the report stated.