Sustainability with Sarah

With society becoming increasingly aware of environmental concerns, most people know that many of the decisions they make can have a direct impact on the environment. Whether to bike or drive to Kroger and whether or not to purchase energy-efficient light bulbs are questions society is increasingly learning to ask on a daily basis. But one thing that some people may not be considering is how the foods they fill their plate with are making an impact on the world.One of the major food environmental concerns is the world's meat consumption. In January, the New York Times ran an article pointing out the huge impact society's growing meat consumption is having on both the environment and poor countries. Meat packaging facilities use excessive amounts of energy, and the growing demand for meat is causing a high demand for food crops --- mainly grain - to contribute to feed for livestock. Citizens of poorer nations may face a lack of food availability if the crop focus shifts from food to livestock feed.

Animal Feeding Operations, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as facilities where animals are raised and confined in an environment where they do not have the ability to graze for food, are an environmental concern due to water pollution hazards. The waste produced by animals is usually stored, but there is the potential for leaks through faulty construction or the washing away of the waste by rainwater. The waste can then reach bodies of water or ground water, contaminating it and leading to health hazards for humans. Such operations are also a problem when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report in 2006 which stated that livestock agriculture produces more greenhouse gas than cars and other forms of transportation. Manure and other animal waste contribute to the release of ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Land is also at risk due to continued demand for meat. One of the main reasons for the destruction of the world's rainforests-mostly those in Latin America-has been due to the need for more livestock pastures.

What can be done about these problems?

The best way is to decrease your meat consumption. Many people may shy away from this option because they think it means becoming a full-fledged vegetarian or vegan. However, the occasional burger is fine. Reducing meat consumption can simply mean only having meat a few times a week.

Also, be smart about the meat you are consuming. Finding meat from small local farms can reduce the risk of supporting giant feeding operations, although checking into the conditions of the farm operation from which you are purchasing is important. If you are purchasing meat in stores, look for labels such as "USDA Organic," which means the animals only ate organic foods and were given no antibiotics, another health risk factor of meat.

So even if you aren't interested in completely crossing over to the vegetarian side, you can still make an impact by being savvy about the foods you choose to include in your diet. Reducing meat is important, but also be sure to support locally grown food. Consuming them leaves less of a carbon footprint because they are not transported a long distance to arrive at your dinner table. Purchasing them can also help the local economy.

Making smart food choices is no longer about eating your fruits and vegetables. Learning to be a sustainable food consumer is just as important as making choices about light bulbs and transportation. In the end, it has an impact.







-features@thedepauw.com