Cut Fat and Carbon at the Same Time

It turns out that fighting global warming is good for the waistline. If every American spent 30 minutes a day walking or cycling instead of driving, the citizenry would collectively cut carbon emissions by 64 million tons and shed 3 billion pounds of excess flab, according to Paul Higgins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Trim even more by trading in that T-bone for tofu--livestock production produces 18 percent of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization.

-—Dashka Slater, Sierra Magazine

Comments

[Nancy]

Once again you recommend soy as a benefit to the world. Remember that acres of forest have been cut in the Amazon to grow soy to the detriment of the environment
Healthwise -- it is not good for people. Asian cultures only eat fermented soy, not what we eat and feed our animals. It is particularly dangerous for children, too much estrogen, bad for both boys and girls. Men who eat a lot of soy have been found to have low sperm count. Check with the magazine Wise Traditions published by The Weston A Price Foundation to get accurate information.

[ccsoleil]

But I do agree with the first part of the story: leave the car at home and walk or bike. It works two ways, and both are very positive.

[MLH]

I love the Daily Tips, but I think this one needs to come with a lot of qualifiers.
For starters, most Americans spend their daily drive time heading to work. So if we're going to suggest that every American walk or cycle 30 minutes to work instead of driving, that would require people to live *roughly* within 1 mile (to walk) or 3 miles (to cycle) of their workplace. It would also require that their employer have a shower at their office (if they work in a professional setting). And lastly, having experienced many Minnesota winters, Mother Nature sometimes makes it very difficult/uncomfortable getting to work without a car.
Mr. Higgins' figures seem a little high to have taken into account these things.

Love the Tips though, keep them coming!

[Michael D. Tippens]

I have seen a number of articles that strongly suggest that soy is especially bad for anyone with a thyroid problem. It's been speculated that possibly 40% of adults have a thyroid problem. So...

[Green Girl]

I agree with the first part of this, although I live 35 miles from my office so that's not an option for my commute. However, I could walk to the grocery store if I just needed items I could carry or the pharmacy to pick up prescription. As far as the tofu and soy goes, I'm allergic. There are other proteins that can be substituted for meat...peanut butter (I'm allergic to that to and many people are), almond butter, cheese. We have to take the parts of these tips that we can use and disregard the rest.

[masterzen18]

the only big problem with this is that much of America is built for car driving and few walking/biking paths connect residential areas to commerical areas. yeah, there are bike/hike trails, but theyre all scenic and dont go anywhere near the stores/banks/etc. once more paths are constructed to connect living districts with commerical districts, many will be able to bike/hike more instead of driving.

[sasha]

I love tofu, but everything in moderation. I try to eat as many green leafy veggies as possible. Now, I'm trying to incorporate raw food into my vegan diet. I went vegan to help the animals, not knowing that it actually helps the environment, too.

The point here is not so much to depend on soy, but to not eat animals. Why would we kill them if we don't have to? And everyone here is concerned about the environment, right? Care about the planet? Cut meat from your diet! Great tip!!!! I love it.

[Scott Smith]

I have to agree with alot of the comments. Please--walk 30 minutes a day and cut the smog and flab. This implys that you are going to walk somewhere you would have driven. If I walked to work it would take 2 hours and I live fairly close to work. And please-quit referring to soy as this cure all. It isn't all that healthy (as many others have pointed out) and it may be ok in Chinese food or other concoctions but if you want T-Bone steak it is no substitue. I do like your postings though-keep it up but read the comments too and think about it.

[Olga Crespin]

Urban sprawl makes it unfeasable to walk to library, movies, grocery, school, etc. Walking around the block for exercise is just that--walking around in circles. How to convince developers to build small shopping strips near residences instead of humongous mall off the freeways.

[Nick]

Statistics show that most Americans live 2 miles from there workplace, a perfect biking distance.