Buying Local
Did you know that the primary source of ozone-damaging methane gas is cow belches? A United Nations report calls cattle the greatest threat to the climate, forests and wildlife. Cattle are “responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.”
Take a look at this article from Go Green, Live Rich about how our excessive meat consumption can take a toll on our planet and our bodies:
Eat Less Meat
My most recent physical showed such high cholesterol that my doctor wanted to put me on medication. My response was, “First let me see what I can do to change my diet.”
You probably already know that eating less meat is better for your health–but did you know that it’s better on the environment, too?
Here are some facts that blew me away: Methane from captive livestock accounts for nearly a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans. In fact, a 2006 study called “Diet, Energy and Global Warming,” by two University of Chicago geophysicists, concluded that switching from a “Standard American Diet” to a vegetarian diet takes a bigger bite out of global warming than trading in your SUV for a hybrid car!
Eating less meat will also result in savings for you. A pound of ground beef costs about $3.50, whereas a pound of organic lentils costs about $2–and will yield around 13 servings, packed with nearly as much protein as the beef.
So give it a try. You don’t have to become a vegetarian. Just try cutting out meat one day a week to start with.
