3 Easy Ways to Boost Your Health while Helping the Environment
1. Start Gardening
Gardening offers a wealth of benefits. The hobby has been shown to sooth many physical and mental health issues by providing stress relief and physical activity. Growing your own food means you can ditch the pesticides and health risks of grocery store produce. Plus, community gardens can provide emotional support and good food for an entire neighborhood.
Gardens also offer long-term environmental benefits. You can reduce the carbon footprint of your food by growing produce locally. Gardens can mitigate pollution and carbon emissions, too. In addition, gardening with native plants (like the plants we sell at our nursery) preserves local wildlife and the precious ecosystems that support us.
2. Drive Less
According to the EPA, the transportation sector accounts for almost 30% of Carbon Emissions - not to mention the tons of other harmful pollutants that vehicles release. If everyone made an effort to drive a little less, we could make a big difference. When you can, try biking or walking instead. Exercising is a great way to improve your long-term physical and mental health. Plus, we could all use a little more fresh air. Walking and biking are fun and easy ways to get around, get active, and reduce your environmental impact.
3. Eat More Veggies
The factory farming of animals is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, a study conducted by Oxford Martin suggests that widespread adoption of a vegetarian diet would reduce total emissions by 63%. Modern farming practices devastate ecosystems too, as land is flattened to accommodate the immense amount of agriculture needed to sustain livestock.
The Oxford Martin study reminds us that frequent consumption of red meat has been linked to long-term health problems. The World Health Organization has determined processed meats to be proven carcinogens (cancer causing), and red meats to be 'probable' carcinogens. Reducing the amount of red meat you eat is a simple way to boost your health while reducing your carbon footprint.