Shaniqua Brandon

Due to the pandemic, I have been spending more time indoors and to be honest I was not going out as much as one should. Once I started getting out more and taking daily walks, I noticed a change in my mood. Walking has really helped to alleviate the stress and pressure that I have been under these past few months. The only downside to walking in my neighborhood is the lack of parks nearby. Unfortunately, the park locations where I live are not easily accessible by walking. I would have to drive and park somewhere close and then go for a walk. Which is not ideal If I am trying to reduce my carbon footprint. For now, I am just walking in the neighborhood and taking in the scenery of all the tall buildings. However, one thing that I do enjoy while walking is the quietness and the fresh air.

Getting friends and family to understand how our lifestyle impacts climate change is a challenge of its own. I began speaking with family members on how they can reduce toxins and waste in their homes by curating sustainable home cleaning options. I did face some resistance in the beginning, as most of my friends and family were comfortable using products that were well known to them and they did not want to risk wasting money on newer products that they assumed would be ineffective. I challenged them to start small, by changing out one household item with a conscious ingredient product. The easiest product to swap out was dish washing detergent. This is a small step in the right direction. Hopefully, more changes will occur.

I must admit, I am rather wasteful at times. This challenge helped me to be more conscious of the food in my fridge and pantry. I would usually shop for groceries on a weekly basis, without using up items from my past purchase. I realize that I was throwing out 30-40% of my groceries each week due spoilage or scraps. Each time I throw something away its literally money that I am tossing in the trash. That is money that I would have rather saved or used to purchase something that I have been longing to buy.

This is an interesting question. I would assume that most people consume more meat in richer countries because they could afford to purchase more. People who possess a lower income may still purchase meat but not as much as a person whose income is 2-3x more than theirs, thus lower the consumption. Culture, religion and even certain diets could also be a factor as to why people meat consumption in low in some countries. 

Meat consumption should be decrease, if not for our planet than certainly for our health. Heavy and long-term meat consumption can increase the risk of cancer due to toxins that are introduce to the body from processed and preserved meat, as well as increase the risk of heart disease and obesity. Everyday our planet becomes weaker and weaker due to high emissions of greenhouse gas from livestock and slaughterhouses. Making small changes in our diet could help combat climate change, soil, air and water pollution. Deciding to eat fewer meals without meat or dairy each week, can have a huge impact on our collective health and the health of the planet.