The state of our health is directly related to not just our long-term physical well-being but also to our general happiness, confidence and outlook on life. Healthy living involves each of us considering our actions and what effect they will have on our planet and its natural processes.
Not only does healthy living mean caring for the environment, it also relates to taking care of all living things including plants and animals, and of course, ourselves. By being aware and educating ourselves about healthy living, and the threat of climate change, we will be able to make sustainable decisions in our daily lives.
Healthy living includes ensuring we eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise. One of the most effective ways to reduce climate change through healthy living is to buy and use organic products. Organic food refers to food grown without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Animals will usually be raised free range and fed a natural diet. .By eating organic products, we reduce the amount of chemicals that we ingest, as well as reducing the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere. Organic agriculture can bring environmental benefits by increasing farmland wildlife and improving soil quality while reducing energy use, carbon emissions, pesticides and nitrate pollution.
By choosing organic food, consumers send the message to food growers and manufacturers that organic practices are important.
What You Can Do
We can improve our health by following a few simple actions:
Source: HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative Teachers' Manual