Do you want a slimmer waistline, radiant skin, mental clarity, and 20 healthy years added to your life? Of course! What if you could get all of these benefits and Stop Global Warming at the same time?
We have been warned about the urgent need to change our habits in order to stop global warming, ocean deterioration, species extinction, and the connection to economic fallout. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking these changes and many scientists have documented the fact that the greenhouse gas emissions created since the beginning of Industrialization are harming the delicate balance of our environment. Massive storms, super viruses, dead zones in the oceans, and a deep economic recession are all signs that Climate Change has begun.
These issues may seem so far beyond our control that one person reading this article or watching the ominous news reports might think they are not capable of making an impact. The wonderful news is: each of us can start today by making simple and easy changes in our lives. Start by adopting a "Flexitarian" diet; a flexible vegetarian incorporates more legumes, nuts, whole grains, and greens into their meals while still indulging in the occasional serving of meat. Consumption of meat and dairy has increased significantly more in the last 40 years than ever before in history, and this spike in demand has created an industry that, unfortunately, has a very negative impact on our environment. With the rate of population growth, if we don't decrease our demand of animal products in the slightest, we may very well double or triple our consumption in the next few decades. The effect on our environment could be disastrous.
How does the meat and dairy industry contribute to global warming? The production, maintenance, transportation, and storage of meat release more greenhouse gases than all of the commuter vehicles on our highways. So, if we all chose to eat a vegan meal at least a few days a week, we would be making more of an impact than if we all purchased a hybrid vehicle or parked our cars for a year!
The American Cancer Society recommends a plant-based diet, and this is not news! Studies dated back a few decades describe the benefits of plant-based diets on prevention of cancer, especially cancer of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Antioxidants from plant sources are necessary to reduce the effects of free-radicals on our bodies. The Society goes as far as to say that meat consumption should be limited, and is linked to cancers of the colon and prostate. For all the health and environmental benefits, incorporating a few vegan recipes into your week would be a very intelligent choice to make. Not only does a plant-based diet help your waist line, your pocket book, and the Earth, it will also add years to your life and keep you looking and feeling good longer!
*Sources:
www.noaa.gov National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
www.cancer.org American Cancer Society
www.fao.org United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
*the News...hello!?
:-) Keep smiling, keep reading, and keep loving.
-XOXO Kari
1 comment:
In the run up to the Copenhagen climate change conference, it is vital the following information be disseminated to the public as well as to our political leaders.
A widely cited 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, estimates that 18 percent of annual worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to livestock….however recent analysis by Goodland and Anhang co-authors of "Livestock and Climate Change" in the latest issue of World Watch magazine found that livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions!
www.51percent.org
The main sources of GHGs from animal agriculture are: (1) Deforestation of the rainforests to grow feed for livestock. (2) Methane from manure waste. – Methane is 72 times more potent as a global warming gas than CO2 (3) Refrigeration and transport of meat around the world. (4) Raising, processing and slaughtering of the animal.
Meat production also uses a massive amount of water and other resources which would be better used to feed the world’s hungry and provide water to those in need.
Based on their research, Goodland and Anhang conclude that replacing livestock products with soy-based and other alternatives would be the best strategy for reversing climate change. They say "This approach would have far more rapid effects on GHG emissions and their atmospheric concentrations-and thus on the rate the climate is warming-than actions to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy."
The fact is that we are being informed of the dangerous path we are on by depending greatly on animal flesh for human consumption. We still have the opportunity to make the most effective steps in saving ourselves and this planet. By simply choosing a plant based diet we can reduce our carbon foot print by a huge amount.
We are gambling with our lives and with those of our future generations to come. It's madness to know we are fully aware of the possible consequences but yet are failing to act.
Promoting a plant based diet to the public is would be the most effective way to curb deforestation, we hope this will be adopted as a significant measure to save the rainforests and protect the delicate ecology.
Thank you for your consideration.
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