Is our eating killing us and our planet at the same time?

[juvenissun]

Cute, vague -- what will it take to make you disappear

Yes, we as a population eat too much!

Some good rules -- eat when you're hungry and drink when you're thirsty -- BUT one huge problem is most of us were raised on junk foods and stuff that we're addicted to i.e. "SUGAR"

I'd be interested to read some statistics dealing with what the US government regarded as a good diet in the 1920s -- up until now ?

--- just as a wee primer to this thread. ( go google it juvenissun! )

You talked about the whole earth, not only the US, in the OP.
In terms of food and eating, technology is the prime criminal in creating all types of problem. Without technology, the world will become healthy again.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

You talked about the whole earth, not only the US, in the OP.
In terms of food and eating, technology is the prime criminal in creating all types of problem. Without technology, the world will become healthy again.

(refer my bold) - - - That's a bit extreme, don't you think?

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

You talked about the whole earth, not only the US, in the OP.
In terms of food and eating, technology is the prime criminal in creating all types of problem. Without technology, the world will become healthy again.

(refer my bold) Yes, thanks for getting me back on track.

I'm busy reading this right now: 10 Companies That Control The World's Food : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-companies-that-control-the-worlds-food-2014-09-01

'The agriculture and food production industry employed more than one billion people as of last year, or a third of the global workforce. While the industry is substantial, a relatively small number of companies wield an enormous amount of influence. In its report, “Behind the Brands,” Oxfam International focused on 10 of the world’s biggest and most influential food and beverage companies. These corporations are so powerful that their policies can have a major impact on the diets and working conditions of people world-wide, as well as on the environment. ....'

I'll list them as I read:

1. Associated British Foods PLC
2. The Coca-Cola Co.
3. Groupe Danone S.A.
4. General Mills, Inc.
5. Kellogg Co.
6. Mars, Inc.
7. Mondelez International, Inc.
8. Nestlé S.A.
9. PepsiCo Inc.
10. Unilever Group

 

[juvenissun]

(refer my bold) - - - That's a bit extreme, don't you think?

Not at all. When back to 19th Century, all food at that time was perfectly healthy. Now, think about HOW EXACTLY the quality of food deteriorated to the current level. It took the whole evolution of the society to make it happen. The main push force is? Technology!

 

[juvenissun]

(refer my bold) Yes, thanks for getting me back on track.

I'm busy reading this right now: 10 Companies That Control The World's Food : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-companies-that-control-the-worlds-food-2014-09-01

'The agriculture and food production industry employed more than one billion people as of last year, or a third of the global workforce. While the industry is substantial, a relatively small number of companies wield an enormous amount of influence. In its report, “Behind the Brands,” Oxfam International focused on 10 of the world’s biggest and most influential food and beverage companies. These corporations are so powerful that their policies can have a major impact on the diets and working conditions of people world-wide, as well as on the environment. ....'

I'll list them as I read:

1. Associated British Foods PLC
2. The Coca-Cola Co.
3. Groupe Danone S.A.
4. General Mills, Inc.
5. Kellogg Co.
6. Mars, Inc.
7. Mondelez International, Inc.
8. Nestlé S.A.
9. PepsiCo Inc.
10. Unilever Group

They can make all kinds of food. But we don't have to eat it.
This is the time for people to "go back to the old style diet". If enough people are doing that, I think at least three companies will crash immediately: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Kellogg.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

Not at all. When back to 19th Century, all food at that time was perfectly healthy. Now, think about HOW EXACTLY the quality of food deteriorated to the current level. It took the whole evolution of the society to make it happen. The main push force is? Technology!

They can make all kinds of food. But we don't have to eat it.
This is the time for people to "go back to the old style diet". If enough people are doing that, I think at least three companies will crash immediately: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Kellogg.

(refer my bold) That's a negative approach to the problem, though I am totally in agreement with regards to the matter of "go back to the old style diet" but companies which are that powerful, don't simply just crash.
i.e. the Gas & Oil Industry which recently took a heavy blow, might be wise to invest far more in technology which harnesses the elements rather than exhausting the earth's natural resources.

'....The GFN estimate that the world’s population currently consumes the equivalent of 1.6 planets. This figure should rise to two planets by 2030 based on current trends. On a per capita basis, the UK consumes around three times more than the equivalent level that ecosystems can renew, but its relative share is dropping as developing economies grow and consume more.

The impact of this “ecological deficit” can be witnessed through deforestation, soil erosion, depletion of water resources and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Wackernagel added that the UN’s crunch international climate change conference in Paris in December and global diplomatic efforts were providing hope for change.

“The conference in December is sparking conversations and we are seeing unheard of agreements between the US and China,” he said.

“The two biggest emitters are starting to co-operate and the G20 leaders have recognised we have to move out of fossil fuels by the end of this century – although this is a bit too slow in my opinion.” ' *

---
*- http://www.theguardian.com/environm...-up-2015s-supply-of-earths-resources-analysis (article by Emma Howard / Wednesday 12 August 2015 22.00 BST )

 

[juvenissun]

(refer my bold) That's a negative approach to the problem, though I am totally in agreement with regards to the matter of "go back to the old style diet" but companies which are that powerful, don't simply just crash.
i.e. the Gas & Oil Industry which recently took a heavy blow, might be wise to invest far more in technology which harnesses the elements rather than exhausting the earth's natural resources.

'....The GFN estimate that the world’s population currently consumes the equivalent of 1.6 planets. This figure should rise to two planets by 2030 based on current trends. On a per capita basis, the UK consumes around three times more than the equivalent level that ecosystems can renew, but its relative share is dropping as developing economies grow and consume more.

The impact of this “ecological deficit” can be witnessed through deforestation, soil erosion, depletion of water resources and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Wackernagel added that the UN’s crunch international climate change conference in Paris in December and global diplomatic efforts were providing hope for change.

“The conference in December is sparking conversations and we are seeing unheard of agreements between the US and China,” he said.

“The two biggest emitters are starting to co-operate and the G20 leaders have recognised we have to move out of fossil fuels by the end of this century – although this is a bit too slow in my opinion.” ' *

---
*- http://www.theguardian.com/environm...-up-2015s-supply-of-earths-resources-analysis (article by Emma Howard / Wednesday 12 August 2015 22.00 BST )

Fossil fuel is just a scapegoat. Yes, the huge population is the direct cause. But the advance of technology is the background cause of everything on the surface.

It is easy to make the diagnosis. How to cure it? I think there will be no other way, but WARS.

 

[PsychoSarah]

You talked about the whole earth, not only the US, in the OP.
In terms of food and eating, technology is the prime criminal in creating all types of problem. Without technology, the world will become healthy again.

-_- medical technology. Also, foods that were bad for us have existed for a very long time, and some delicacies enjoyed by the ignorant people of the past are shockingly toxic. Sugar of lead is an example that makes me wonder how people didn't figure out sooner that lead is poisonous. I guess the lead poisoning made them too stupid to realize that the lead was making them stupid, along with other physical problems.

Technology is developed specifically to solve problems, and technologies that create siginificantly more than they are worth tend to go into disuse. We wouldn't make foods bad for us if there wasn't a profit to be made from it. Blaming technology for our poor life choices is as pathetic as suing a fast food company for "making you fat". Also, if it weren't for advances in agricultural and food processing technology, starvation and food poisoning would kill thousands of more people at far younger ages than the trans fats do.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Fossil fuel is just a scapegoat. Yes, the huge population is the direct cause. But the advance of technology is the background cause of everything on the surface.

It is easy to make the diagnosis. How to cure it? I think there will be no other way, but WARS.

Disease and starvation might help as well.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

-_- medical technology. Also, foods that were bad for us have existed for a very long time, and some delicacies enjoyed by the ignorant people of the past are shockingly toxic. Sugar of lead is an example that makes me wonder how people didn't figure out sooner that lead is poisonous. I guess the lead poisoning made them too stupid to realize that the lead was making them stupid, along with other physical problems.

Technology is developed specifically to solve problems, and technologies that create siginificantly more than they are worth tend to go into disuse. We wouldn't make foods bad for us if there wasn't a profit to be made from it. Blaming technology for our poor life choices is as pathetic as suing a fast food company for "making you fat". Also, if it weren't for advances in agricultural and food processing technology, starvation and food poisoning would kill thousands of more people at far younger ages than the trans fats do.

However, although in the modern age we know what causes most problems, and how to fix them, but still are unwilling to do so. Whyzat I wonder.

 

[juvenissun]

Disease and starvation might help as well.

It is real shame that we can deliver food to the orbit, but can not do that to some places where cars can go.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It is real shame that we can deliver food to the orbit, but can not do that to some places where cars can go.

Perhaps "we" don't have the time or inclination. At some point people simply withdraw from the scene and become cynical spectators. It's hard to continue caring when so few others seem to.

 

[PsychoSarah]

However, although in the modern age we know what causes most problems, and how to fix them, but still are unwilling to do so. Whyzat I wonder.

Lack of self-control.