Eating to Save the Earth

Book excerpt: U.S. food production is a $900 billion industry, and each day farming and meat production destroy native habitats; pesticides contaminate groundwater, rivers, and lakes; food processing and delivery contribute to ozone depletion; and food packaging overburdens landfills. Changing the way we eat can we improve the overall health of the planet, and in EATING TO SAVE THE EARTH, Linda Riebel and Ken Jacobsen prove that we can make a difference one meal at a time. In this focused blueprint for action, Riebel and Jacobsen discuss the environmental consequences of meat and fish consumption, the merits of sustainable agriculture and organic foods, and simple methods to reduce waste, conserve water and energy, compost, and recycle. Whether you at home or at work, in restaurants or while camping, every menu choice you make has the potential to create a healthier body, a safer environment, and a balanced ecosystem.