Social Inequalities are Built into Our Food Systems

SAVE THE PLANET!  LIVE BETTER!  REDUCE HARM!  ACT NOW!  DON'T EAT THIS!

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To me, the most important thing we can do for the environment is to live our own lives in a way that reduces harm.  I have yet to learn of an action with more impact than changing our food habits… specifically around meat.  Yes, I know many of you don’t want to hear that.  That you would like to think as long as you walk or drive an electric car, and use the right lightbulbs, and turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth, and tell your neighbors to do the same things when you meet them in the street as you take your recycling to the curb, that you have done your part.  Well, I believe that that is not enough and that the simple action of eliminating red meat from your diet would improve your efforts of sustainability exponentially.  Furthermore, I believe if you don’t, the efforts you are making otherwise won’t be enough to stop the growing problems our world is facing because of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). 

It wreaks havoc on the environment.  It is a waste of resources that could be better utilized otherwise and nitrous oxide and methane omissions are far more detrimental than CO2 and fossil fuels.  Here's a sweet video that tells you how!

Scary?  It is. 

What do you think?  Maybe you should just limit your red meat intake.  Wouldn’t that help?  Sure, it would.  But have you ever heard of cognitive dissonance?

That’s like thinking if you smoke less, it will be ok.  Which is true, but it doesn't mean it doesn't cause cancer.  Which brings me to my next point.  And this is a big one.  And I am only sharing this with you here because your health and well being is also a part of sustainability.  So, here is your public service announcement from me to you: Red meat causes cancer.

But, you are welcome to read it from other people that have said the same thing:

The American Cancer Institute shares a report from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer that classified processed meats as carcinogenic and red meats as a probable carcinogen.  Gross.  I would like zero carcinogens with my meal please! 

And here is a report from US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health about the link between red meat and colorectal cancer which they report as the 3^rd most prevalent cancer in men and second most common cancer in women.

Sounds serious?  It is.

It causes cancer, it is ruining the environment.  Stop supporting it.