The number one thing we can all do NOW to reduce global warming

July 2, 11:59 AMSF Healthy Living ExaminerLani Muelrath

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image:  veri kleiner

by Lani Muelrath, M.A.

Michael Pollan said it, too.  The number one thing we can all do to reduce global warming has to do with what's on our plates. 

Let's back up a minute for a quick quiz question.

Which do you think is more responsible for global warming: a gas-guzzling SUV, or a hamburger?

Surprisingly, it's the burger.

 A  United  Nations  report  demonstrated that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars, trucks, SUVs, trains, planes and ships in the world combined. How much more? An impressive 40% more.

A study done by two geophysicists at the University of Chicago said that just one person reducing his or her meat consumption by only 20% would be the equivalent of switching from a Camry to a Prius. Think about that! With simple changes to our everyday food choices, we can actually make as much a difference as the guy who just purchased a hybrid car - easily. We CAN make big differences.

 

Let's Act Now

Let's Act Now is a fairly new website devoted to bringing the awareness of the impact of dietary choices upon the environment to the greater public.  The site is packed with references as well as links to pertinent videos, including clips on the following topics:

• swine flu
• going vegan
• two simple steps for climate change
• what's wrong with what we eat?

and more.

Is a veggie diet alone the cure-all?

Of course not.  We all know that eating vegetarian doesn't guarantee health OR a low-impact lifestyle. 

Yet it is mighty tough  to argue the sustainability of eating a plant-based, locally grown foods diet.  The environmental impact of this type of dietary plan is also now too powerfully supported to deny.

Time to take a stand and make a difference with your fork.  And with San Francisco so abundant in vegetarian restaurants and access to fresh food markets, we're sitting pretty.