Cut Back Fossil Fuel Usage by Eating Less Junk Food

Concerned about the environment? Worried about the future impact from global warming? Is filling up the gas tank of your car putting a hefty dent in your budget?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, then there’s something you can do about these concerns. You won’t have to lick envelopes, protest on the lawn of the White House, or petition to save whales either. Rather, you can simply eat less junk food and meat. How can this help? Well, according to some brainstorming currently underway at Cornell University, wielding your power as a consumer can reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in the transportation in the US food industry by a whopping 50%.

The Cornell researchers, who authored the study titled, ‘Reducing Energy Inputs in the US Food System,’ subsequently published in the journal Human Ecology, point out that production, packaging, and distribution of processed foods and animal products translates to higher fuel costs. The researchers also put forth a challenge to American consumers: Simply reducing the demand for processed foods would significantly cut back on the amount of energy expended on bringing these products to the market. If you doubt this, then here’s some food for thought: Processed foods travel an average of nearly 1,500 miles on US highways before reaching their retail destination.

The authors of this study also stress the far-reaching impact of exercising your influence as a consumer that not only benefits the environment, but also your health. For instance, by choosing to buy locally grown food, there is more emphasis on natural, organic farming methods. This equates to even more reduced energy consumption, fewer pesticides entering the environment, and increased energy efficiency due to the use of crop rotations and other organic growing methods.

It seems pretty clear that by going green—in more ways than one—you might be able to keep more of the green stuff in your pocket. Besides, eating less meat and more fresh (and local) produce is certainly better for your waistline, as well as your overall health.

And junk food? Who needs it when you can save the planet? (Try not to think about it too much.)