On Jul 23, 12:45 pm, ironjustice <teamtan...@hotmail.com> wrote:Global
warming .. ? <<
Eating Less Meat And Junk Food Could Cut Fossil Energy Fuel Use Almost
In Half
ScienceDaily (July 24, 2008) — Study finds a healthier diet and a
return to traditional farming can help reduce energy consumption in US
food system by 50 percent.
An estimated 19 percent of total energy used in the USA is taken up in
the production and supply of food. Currently, this mostly comes from
non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply. It is
therefore of paramount importance that ways of reducing this
significant fuel consumption in the US food system are found.
David Pimentel and his colleagues at Cornell University in New York
set out a number of strategies which could potentially cut fossil
energy fuel use in the food system by as much as 50 percent.
The first, and very astute suggestion they put forward is that
individuals eat less, especially considering that the average American
consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, a staggering 1200-1500
calories over recommendations. Traditional American diets are high in
animal products, and junk and processed foods in particular, which by
their nature use more energy than that used to produce staple foods
such as potatoes, rice, fruits and vegetables. By just reducing junk
food intake and converting to diets lower in meat, the average
American could have a massive impact on fuel consumption as well as
improving his or her health.
Further savings are possible in the food production industry. The
authors suggest that moving towards more traditional, organic farming
methods would help because conventional meat and dairy production is
extremely energy intensive. Similarly, in crop production, reduced
pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations
improve energy efficiency.
Finally, changes to methods of food processing, packaging and
distribution could also help to reduce fuel consumption. Although
well-established energy-saving considerations in lighting, heating and
packaging materials all have their part to play, the authors again
highlight individual responsibility as having the biggest impact.
They contend that the most dramatic reduction in energy used for food
processing would come about if consumers reduced their demand for
highly processed foods. This would also help cut down food miles and
its related fuel cost as US food travels an average of 2,400 km before
it is consumed.
This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest
position to contribute to a reduction in energy use. As individuals
embrace a ‘greener’ lifestyle, an awareness of the influence their
food choices have on energy resources might be added encouragement for
them to buy good, local produce and avoid highly processed, heavily
packaged and nutritionally inferior food. As well as leading to a
cleaner environment, this would also lead to better health.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journal reference:
Pimentel et al. Reducing Energy Inputs in the US Food System. Human
Ecology, 2008; DOI: 10.1007/s10745-008-9184-3
Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh
Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/4rq595
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk
> On Jul 21, 4:21 pm, ironjustice <teamtan...@hotmail.com> wrote:> ANZHP symposium: Obesity - should there be a law against it? <<
>
> Eating enough for twenty people .. ?
>
> Crime .. against .. humanity .. ?
>
> Global warming .. ?
>
> http://dietpulpit.com/362/33000-calories-a-day/
>
> Definition of Obesity, Food Addiction and BMI
>
> I watched a show on the TLC channel over the weekend called “I eat
> 33,000 calories a day.” It was a heart wrenching story of four
> people’s lives who are devasted due to being very overweight and food
> addiction. I realized that I could easily have been in a very similar
> situation - house bound and incapacited by food. I started this diet
> last year on May 1, I was 293.5 lbs. (defined as morbidly obese) -
> with lots of back pain, foot pain and knee pain, aching all over, high
> blood pressure and exhausted 90% of the time.
>
> Who loves ya.
> Tom
>
> Jesus Was A Vegetarian!http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh
>
> Man Is A Herbivore!http://tinyurl.com/4rq595
>
> DEAD PEOPLE WALKINGhttp://tinyurl.com/zk9fk
>
>
>
> > (Edited by Roger Magnusson (Coordinator))http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/articles/theme-series.asp?series=1743-...
>
> > Editorial
> > Obesity: should there be a law against it? Introduction to a
> > symposium
> > Roger S Magnusson
>
> > Faculty of Law, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
>
> > Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2008, 5:9doi:
> > 10.1186/1743-8462-5-9
>
> > Published: 5 June 2008
>
> > Abstract
> > The rapid rise in rates of overweight and obesity among adults and
> > children in Australia and New Zealand has intensified debate about
> > the
> > most effective policies for obesity prevention. Law has much to
> > contribute to this policy discussion, although its role is often
> > misunderstood. The articles in this symposium follow on from a
> > conference hosted in September 2006 by the Centre for Health
> > Governance, Law & Ethics in the Faculty of Law, University of Sydney,
> > titled: Obesity: should there be a law against it? In different ways,
> > these articles provide a variety of perspectives on regulatory
> > responses to obesity, including theoretical justifications for a
> > legal
> > approach, conceptual models that assist in making sense of law's
> > role,
> > as well as specific legal strategies for obesity prevention in
> > various
> > settings.
>
> > Who loves ya.
> > Tom
>
> > Jesus Was A Vegetarian!http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh
>
> > Man Is A Herbivore!http://tinyurl.com/4rq595
>
> > DEAD PEOPLE WALKINGhttp://tinyurl.com/zk9fk- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
aka_velcro
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