Eating healthy to curb Global warming DeVry University ENGL 135 Research Presentation

Thesis Statement Healthy eating practices can curb global warming. Proper farming, local distribution of food products and cutting down on meat and fish consumption can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of a community.Proper farming, local distribution of food products and cutting down on meat and fish consumption can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of a community. Use of artificial fertilizers coupled with long distance travel of food products is a major source of greenhouse gases along with meat production and consumption.Use of artificial fertilizers coupled with long distance travel of food products is a major source of greenhouse gases along with meat production and consumption. Organic farming with local distribution and lower meat consumption is a solution to this problem.Organic farming with local distribution and lower meat consumption is a solution to this problem.

History  Climate change and global warming has accelerated in the past few decades.  Change in food habits coupled with an increase in consumption of meat.  Change in farming techniques along with the use of artificial fertilizers.  Population increase magnified the above problems.

Effects of the Problem Transportation of food over long distance causes more fuel consumption. (Bentley & Barker, 2005)Transportation of food over long distance causes more fuel consumption. (Bentley & Barker, 2005) Since some items are imported from the other end, food miles associated with them increases.Since some items are imported from the other end, food miles associated with them increases. Increase in fuel consumption means increase in greenhouse gas release.Increase in fuel consumption means increase in greenhouse gas release. Food processing for transportation over long distance and subsequent transportation causes heavy usage of fuel.Food processing for transportation over long distance and subsequent transportation causes heavy usage of fuel.

Effects of the Problem Meat consumption and production causes major greenhouse gas release.Meat consumption and production causes major greenhouse gas release. Manure and flatulence along with transportation causes the bulk of the above problem.Manure and flatulence along with transportation causes the bulk of the above problem. Use of Artificial Fertilizers are causing degradation of soil and increased fuel consumption.Use of Artificial Fertilizers are causing degradation of soil and increased fuel consumption. Fertilizer production and transportation required high fuel usage.Fertilizer production and transportation required high fuel usage. Being salt based, they cause degradation of soil.Being salt based, they cause degradation of soil.

Solutions Using food items from local farmers market and using organic farming methods and natural fertilizers while farming. This will help reduce food miles.This will help reduce food miles. Natural fertilizers increase long term nutrition of soil and sequesters carbon.Natural fertilizers increase long term nutrition of soil and sequesters carbon. Supports growth of soil organisms.Supports growth of soil organisms.

Another Solution Meat consumption needs to be lowered immediately. It is currently one of the biggest producers of green house gasesIt is currently one of the biggest producers of green house gases Lowering consumption by a fraction would result in higher amount of CO2 emission drop.Lowering consumption by a fraction would result in higher amount of CO2 emission drop. Changing food habit is gradual and creating awareness is probably the best option.Changing food habit is gradual and creating awareness is probably the best option.

Call to Action Polar caps are receding.Polar caps are receding. Severe flooding has become more common.Severe flooding has become more common. Low altitude countries at high risk.Low altitude countries at high risk. Fuel is a finite resource.Fuel is a finite resource. Food shortage could happen due to reduced soil productivity.Food shortage could happen due to reduced soil productivity.

References Bentley, S., & Barker, R. (2005). Fighting global warming at the farmer’s market. Retrieved from foodshare.net: Council, n. R. (2007). Food miles: How far your food travels has serious consequences for your health and the climate. Retrieved from food-hub.com: hub.org/files/resources/Food%20Miles.pdf Fiala, N. (2009, February 4). How meat contributes to global warming. Retrieved from Scientific American: Gache, G. (2007, October 30). Nitrogen fertilizers are bad for the soil. Retrieved from news.softpedia.com: shtml LaSalle, T. J., & Hepperly, P. (2008). Regenerative organic farming:a solution to global warming. Retrieved from Rodale Institute: 07_30_08.pdf Solomon, S., Qin, D., Manning, M., Chen, Z., Marquis, M., Averyt, K.,... Miller, H. (2007). Contribution of working group I to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Retrieved from ipcc.ch: