“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” ―Albert Einstein

The world’s growing appetite for meat and dairy products is now the leading driver of biodiversity loss and a major contributor to climate change and pollution. An average of 22.6kg of CO2 is emitted to produce just 1kg of beef, compared with 0.9kg of CO2 for the same amount of lentils. This and the release of methane and nitrous oxide has made the livestock sector one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases: 18% of the global total, more than all cars, trains, planes and ships combined.*

Scientists also warn the Earth’s sixth mass extinction, the man-induced Holocene extinction event, is already underway with a projected loss of over 75% of the world’s species—caused in large part by the clearing of habitat for livestock. In Central America alone, 40% of all rainforests have been cleared in the last 40 years for cattle pasture.

So what’s the good news?

There are isolated communities where for centuries people have used sustainable diets that deter disease and ensure the security of the biosphere they depend upon for survival. Eating sustainably can mean better tasting food with fewer pesticides and unhealthy food additives.

Our Micro Earths expeditions will set out to explore these examples of food sustainability in the hope of discovering the inhabitants’ secret to longevity.

More at http://microearths.com/

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All Rights Reserved – © 2016 Jason Lewis

* Source: United National Food and Agriculture Organization