We now have another reason to shed those unwanted pounds. It has been reported that Obesity is a contributing factor to Global Warming. Yes; can you believe it! If we didn't have a big enough problem to deal with on the weight loss issue; it now appears that us porkers may be affecting our planet (and when I was jogging I thought that the groan I heard was in my head but it might have been Mother Earth complaining about the pounding I was giving her!)
ABC News reported on May 16, 2009 and The New York Times reported on July 18, 2009, about a new study that has suggested that obesity is affecting the planet by raising carbon emissions.
Apparently a couple of researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine recently published a report in the International Journal of Epidemiology titled "Population adiposity and climate change."The report goes on to say that there appears to be a relationship between obese people and an excess amount of carbon dioxide emissions compared to thin people.Apparently, they found that there is a significant amount of extra carbon dioxide emitted from our heavier neighbors.
Some of the things that enter into the observations are
1. Overweight people are comparable to running around in a gas guzzler as far as consuming calories.
2. Overweight people tend to use motor vehicles to travel short distances rather than rather than walk or cycle
We all need to do things to cut our carbon footprint. The research suggests that reducing our weight to a healthy level is the best place to start.
It's interesting that the focus on global warming can be focused on how much carbon dioxide individual people emit.I knew that the scientists have been observing cattle for some time but it seems as though some scientists may have too much time on their hands when they begin calculation how much people emit.
With the government trying to push through the "Cap and Trade Act" and wanting to raise taxes on energy consumption, you watch, they're going to start taxing us because we're overweight! Maybe we'll get a tax credit if we are actively trying to lose our extra pounds.
The bottom line is that we must take responsibility for our personal carbon footprint along with our weight so let's do our part to keep the planet from overheating. Enroll in an exercise program and do whatever is necessary to promote good health and get out of the obese range.
Get a journal and get moving.