A recent article by No Impact Man reiterates what is perhaps the environmentalist’s most persuasive argument: what’s good for the planet is good for us. This is as true in our diet decisions (natural, wholesome foods versus packaged, processed, nutrient-stripped crap) as it is in our transportation selections.
Here’s a great graphic (larger image here) from Transportation Alternatives illustrating the correlation between obesity and transportation methods:
Although there are certainly other factors at play, and the relationship isn’t linear, I don’t think it’s much of a leap to infer that people would be healthier and happier if they took some deliberate steps away from their vehicles. As we at Carectomy have said before, Cars are More Fattening than Cake.
If you’ve never heard of No Impact Man, it’s a project in sustainability and an associated blog by Colin Beavan. No Impact Man describes his own project best, so I’ll stop trying. From No Impact Man:
A Guilty Liberal Finally Snaps, Swears Off Plastic, Goes Organic, Becomes A Bicycle Nut, Turns Off His Power, Composts His poop and, While Living in New York City, Generally Turns Into a Tree-Hugging Lunatic Who Tries to Save the Polar Bears and The Rest of the Planet from Environmental Catastrophe While Dragging His Baby Daughter and Prada-Wearing, Four Seasons-Loving Wife Along for the Ride.
If you haven’t visited the site, I highly recommend it.
Photo via flickr by billaday.
Related posts: