Two problems that exist on a global basis and a national basis can be addresed at the same time. Global warming is a problem of great concern to all of the world. In America, obesity is at epidemic proportions and is a major threat to our nation’ s health.

We can address both of these problems by choosing to walk or bicycle ride to our destinations instead of driving our cars. This sounds like a small measure, but if all Americans walked or rode a bike instead of taking their cars for half an hour a day, carbon dioxide emissions would be cut by 64 million tons.

For our school age children, suggesting they walk to school rather than riding the bus or in a car would help to fight childhood obesity. The additive effect on global warming and carbon diocide emissions, again, would be signifigant. The health benefits of walking or bike riding in favor of car travel would be many. Less smog would enable easier breathing and less respiratory problems.

Walking for one half an hour per day could equal losing up to 13 pounds in a year. Another suggestion to tackle both the obesity and the global warming problem is to reduce heavy meat consumption. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and grains and lower in meats is better for our waistlines and also better for the environment.

When the feed and methane released from fertilizer is all calculated, the meat sector of global economies accounts for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. Most Americans eat greater than one and a half times the recommended meat consumption per day. If we cut our meat consumption, our weight would be under better control and we would be doing our part to combat global warming at the same time.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Health and Fitness News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.