Consider your food system: What do you like about it?
What do you dislike about it? Consider taste, nutrition, cost, equity, and
environmental issue.
My food system is predicated upon one word:
convenience. Although I try not to eat a lot of fast food and try to avoid an
unhealthy diet, I do eat out a lot. My groceries are bought at large
supermarkets, primarily because the cost is so much cheaper. I cannot tell the
difference in taste in nutrition from local farms to mass markets. I hate the
idea that the meat I buy came from large animal farms that do not provide their
livestock with an adequate way of life, but cost and convenience is definitely
a determining factor. These supermarkets transit a huge bulk of their inventory
via trucking systems which increase the amount of CO2 being placed into the
atmosphere. I know that by buying locally I can reduce my environmental impact,
but sometimes I am of that mindset that my choices—if I were to change—will
have virtually no impact whatsoever.
What role, if any, should zoos play in conservation/education?
Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? If so, what size / type of animal or
zoo? Do you enjoy visiting zoos?
I believe that zoos can play a very important role in
conservation and educating people about animals in the wild. It is, however,
difficult to accomplish in a manner that is ethically sound when providing a
proper habitat and way of life for these animals. Elephants should not be kept
in zoos, as it is clearly evident that elephants live longer in the wild than
in captivity. I am not sure what animals might benefit from an artificial
habitat; the best, I would assume, would be some birds, reptiles, and fish and
other marine animals. The larger the animal, the more adequate housing and
resources needed to provide proper care for the animal. Keeping animals in
captivity definitely draws a fine line that divides two ends of the spectrum:
one might reason that animals, especially endangered animals need protection
(and some zoos advocate in restoring these species in hopes they will one day
return to the wild); another might reason that the best way to promote
care for animals in the wild is to educate and view them in captivity. I have
been to three zoos in my lifetime: Assiniboine Park Zoo, the Kansas City Zoo,
and a zoo in Brisbane, Australia. Some of these were kind of deplorable, and I
felt bad for these animals (the cheetah exhibit in Kansas City was so enclosed
that the animals were never able to run if they wanted to), and others were
great experiences where I learned a lot and got to interact with animals native to
the country (the zoo in Brisbane). Nonetheless, the argument whether zoos do
more harm than good is an issue that will be continued to be argued for many
years to come.
What I am doing to promote sustainability and
happiness in my life?
In the past year, I have already made some major
changes that, I think, have affected my lifestyle for the better. With the
hopes of living a more sustainable lifestyle and reducing my environmental
impact, I moved into a smaller place that still accommodates my needs. I try
not buy extravagant things anymore without making a conscious decision whether
I need it or not. I have been accustomed to buying used things now, and have
liquidated many of my assets as well. In the past year, I have also tried to
rely more on public transportation and carpooling, and have started riding
motorbikes as an alternative to driving a vehicle.
What I would like to do?
I would like to continue and live as I currently do,
and have others be able to follow suit. Education is the most important thing
to promote a conscious connection to the environment, and I intend to pass the
message along. I would also like to shop more locally, and be able to eat healthier
as well. Composting, being important as it is, will be another practice I will
begin in order to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly
lifestyle.
I pledge to: do my best to reduce my carbon footprint
in the world, and encourage others to do the same.
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