Fighting Fat and Climate Change?

by WiredBerries Editors — November 19, 2007

The obesity epidemic and global warming might not seem to have much in common, but public health experts have found that people can attack them both at the same time in a very simple, yet effective, way. How? Get out of your car and walk or bike half an hour a day instead of driving. Doctors and climate scientists alike say that's the simple trick for how we can simultaneously save the planet and our health.

Experts claim that if everyone started doing this, the payoff would be huge. If all Americans between the ages of 10 and 74 walked just half an hour a day instead of driving, they would cut the annual U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, by 64 million tons!

About 6.5 billion gallons of gasoline would be saved. And Americans would also shed more than 3 billion pounds overall, according to these same calculations. More precisely, the average person walking half an hour a day would lose about 13 pounds a year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they are considering a public promotion of the "co-benefits" of fighting global warming and obesity-related illnesses through everyday exercise, like walking to school or work, said Dr. Howard Frumkin, director of the CDC's National Center for Environmental Health.

But fortunately we don't have to wait to start spreading the news. Forward this to all of your environment-friendly friends, and let's all commit to finding ways to spend more time moving and less time in the car. For example, is there a store within walking distance of where you live? Consider taking a walk for your health in that direction and pick up those salad fixings for dinner while you're at it. It's multi-tasking at it's finest. Walking and cycling more isn't an option for everyone, for a variety of reasons, but everyone can join in by limiting unnecessary car trips, by spreading awareness, and by supporting friends and family in their efforts to do the right thing for their body and for the environment.