Climate change has been front and center over the past several weeks. In my life personally and globally with millions of people in thousands of city having had enough and taken to the streets demanding governments worldwide do something to save humanity (and most other life) from possible extinction.
Yes, extinction.
This is not an extreme exaggeration. Humanity is in a crisis, emergency situation. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) latest report is clear on the science and on their conclusion- humans must act now or face gruesome, catastrophic consequences. One of these being mass food shortages. Which pertains to our topic –
how climate conscious eating = healthy eating.
You already know you are what you eat, which is why a healthy, nutrient dense diet is nonnegotiable to your health and wellbeing. That means dinner plates (and any other sized plate or bowl) filled with natural, real, whole foods.
Almost all of us are disconnected from the source, yet everything you eat comes from the Earth.
ALL OF IT.
You and I are inseparable from this planet – the air we breath, the sun that sparks life, the water we drink, the food we eat – are entirely of nature. And remember this one frank fact – nature does not need us, we need nature. She will adapt and evolve and remain alive regardless of the damage we sew. Regardless of whether human beings continue to exist or not.
Think to some of the ancient wonders of history– the pyramids, the Coliseum, the Mayan and Incan temples. Beautiful and magisterial they may be, with millions flocking yearly to these sites yet each and every one of them overlooking that these are the skeletons of human civilizations who at one time similarly never fathomed they would fall victim to nature (all of these civilizations fell in large part to over consuming natural resources). There are only two things with a perfect record, who have never been defeated, and neither are human beings. They are our genesis parents – grandfather time and grandmother Earth.
Now, the reality is the climate change challenge is utterly enormous. The truth is that our individual complicity pales in comparison to the carbon criminals known as corporations. Nevertheless, climate change must be tackled from both the bottom up and the top down. Your individual acts do matter. And the only way any of us can stand up to companies is by being conscious about your choices and voting with your cash.
And the best part is that not only do the climate-friendly eating choices below help the Earth, they help you.
Each and every one of them is advantageous to your health and wellbeing.
Eat More Plants
The IPCC recommends a personal meat consumption reduction of 30% would meaningfully impact the climate crisis. That figure is both achievable and reasonable. Now, here’s the one semi-contentious aspect. Whilst the long-term health benefits of veganism or vegetarianism are debatable (to say the least), my personal view is that one will benefit health wise from eating more plants (which is included in my Paleo Meat Misconception). Similarly, whilst the environmental impact of large-scale crop farming is less demonized (and less publicized) than meat and diary production, the truth is that all manor of globalized food production has a net negative environmentally impact. Which is why this specific choice only works in conjunction with the next one.
Support Local Small Farms and Farmers Markets
Based on lengthy analysis this is the most important consumer choice you can possibly make. I’ve spent a real time considering climate change, and localizing our life and consumption behavior is the most practical and impactful strategy out there.
So first, buy local. By not purchasing imported food, you are not handing your money over to cover the high environmental cost of collecting, refrigerating, transporting, flying and shipping food absurd distances around the world. The major mono-crop mega-farms additionally destroy top soil and ravage all animal life that dare try and survive on “their” property. Second, buy small. Small independent farms are on the rise and they need local support to remain in business and eventually become more price competitive.
Furthermore, by making the time once a week to visit a local farmers market, you will become more connected to where your food comes from, of which the gratitude and connection has been shown to improve the impact of food in the body. You will also connect to other human beings and start to form community. And even furthermore, these vendors are selling you more nutrient dense, non-toxic produce. The longer it takes from ground to table, the less nutritious food is (by a lot).
Local is not only lekker (sorry non-South Africans),
not only more moral and sustainable, but tastier and healthier.
Avoid/reduce factory-farmed meat and non-sustainable fish
Neither option is optimal for your health or the planet. Factory-farmed meat is less nutritious for a number of reasons (ignoring the ethical considerations) and its impact on climate change is significant (think of the Amazon fires). We are also over-fishing the oceans and even the fish that eventually lands on your plate is regularly toxic due to the pollution of the waters they swim in.
Now, while “as ethical as possible” meat is now accessible, wild-caught fish is extremely difficult to come across but sustainable fish is a doable thing (less tuna, more sardines). Either way, these options do hit the wallet and one of the main reasons consumers choose the cheaper, globalized option. But this is where I’d like to invite you to truly consider this next point.
Increase Your Food Budget
Think of it as an investment. Prevention rather than crisis. Spending more on better, healthier food – being organic and local – keeps you more resilient to the risk of any and all disease. And yes, you are also doing what you can in the hope that your grandchildren may one day enjoy the same natural produce decades later.
I also present to you a challenge – really reflect on where in your budget you could find a few more bucks for the “premium” of proper food.
Think of what you actually need– your health – versus what you want.
Go deeper even and think why you even want something? What is that want? What is that want trying to achieve? Who is that want really for?
Cultivate Compassionate
And this extends beyond the planet. Be compassionate with yourself. It’s hard to take on these sorts of changes, not just practically, financially and mentally, but add to it that the system is rigged against you. It takes time, trail and error, experimentation, effort and energy. Do your best, and if you are at minimum committed all the small changes and choices will add up over time.
You will be making a difference on the macro scale
as well as on the most micro scale of your health and wellbeing.
Something like an 80/20 rule is great. Aim for good not perfect. And again, being kind to yourself is also being kind to the planet.
The planet needs healthy, strong Earth warriors.
For a few more tips, check out the complete list here. There are also additional links if you are moved to investigate any of these areas further, whether what fish are sustainable or how eating seasonally is again good for you and the environment.
Photo by Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash
Disclaimer:
Remember dear reader, I am neither a doctor nor any sort of medical physician in any capacity. None of the information presented above can be construed as any sort of medical advice in any sort of manner. You as the reader is solely responsible for creating and implementing your own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices and actions. As such, the reader agrees that the author is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction taken by the reader or for any direct or indirect results. This information is simply presented and whatever you decide to do with it is your choice and your responsibility.
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