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We talk about improving the health of the planet but to contribute to a healthier planet we must start with our own health. According to one study 42% of Americans report they have gained weight during the pandemic. Carrying around extra weight impacts our personal carbon footprint due to higher metabolism
that leads to more CO2 being emitted, more emissions from food and drink being purchased to consume, and the amount of additional fossil fuels used to transfer the extra food and drink.
In fact, a fairly recent study found that global obesity was estimated to contribute to an extra 700 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, or about 1.6 percent of all man-made emissions. Another way to put it is that obesity amounts to about 20% more GHG emissions than people of a normal weight. When you also factor in the extra emissions to haul around those extra pounds via planes and cars, it impacts our planet more than we may realize.
A great way to offset those carbon emissions is through a healthy lifestyle. According to this study, the average American has put on at least 15 pounds over the past 20 years, so if you are one of those Americans we suggest losing a few pounds. Of course, please use your discretion about what is healthiest for your body! And if you are already in good shape - keep it up!
Here are some ways to approach weight loss that are healthy for you and the environment:
- Cook your own food. It’s no secret that restaurants make their food taste good by adding extra salt, oil and butter—way more than when you cook at home. They often prioritize taste over health, so you have more control about the ingredients you are consuming when you do it yourself. Add in some fresh, organic produce and food with little plastic packaging and this tip can lower your environmental impact in a big way.
- Check your portion sizes. Portion sizes have double or tripled in the past 20 years
for food and drinks, so giving extra attention to portion size can lead to great results.
- Get outside and enjoy nature. Hike, walk, run, ride a bike, practice yoga-- whatever it is that is easy and enjoyable for you to practice, start incorporating into your lifestyle so it becomes a habit rather than a hassle.
- Skip meat at least once a week. We covered this in an earlier newsletter, but skipping meat is better for our bodies as well as the environment.
Eating healthier and exercising also makes you feel better and releases endorphins which improves your mental health. So with summer around the corner and the good weather and lots of fresh produce that comes with the season, why not look at fun ways to improve our personal health so we can take better care of our bodies and our planet?
Ready to take action?
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