What The Deal With Your Meal Part III

 Are You The Problem or The Solution? 

My Meal Is The Problem 

My last post talked about how the corn and the chicken from my meal impacted the environment. We learned that industrialized corn farms use lots of water. This causes groundwater to be drained from the middle of the U.S. There is also an excessive use of fertilizers that runoff into rivers and canals that then drain into lakes and oceans. These runoffs cause dead zones that are harmful to marine life and the aquatic ecosystems. In addition, corn impacts the soil conditions. Due to the fact the commercialized crops use the same soil over and over it causes lots of erosion and damages the nutrients within the soil. This contributes to long-term damage to soil structure, which may make it hard to grow food in the future. 

As for the chicken in my meal we learned that chicken, no matter where they are raised are usually in inhumane conditions in giant warehouses. Chickens tend to cause water pollution and contaminate runoffs with chicken manure. The runoff produced by chickens causes Algae to bloom. These algae blooms reduce the amount of sunlight that goes into the water in turn cutting the oxygen supply to underwater plants, which can kill the plants and the fish. Chicken manure and other pollution can also contain numerous diseases which can spread to other wildlife too, this either harms or kills them.

Overall, my meal is definitely a problem and not a solution. How can I fix this though? 

Jump Into Action

Global/National Level

First, we are going to think about solutions on a global level. Finding solutions on this scale can be hard and daunting but there are some. Practical solutions for chicken farming are putting restrictions for better practices when raising chickens. As for corn, putting a limit on the amount of fertilizer and prices that can be used. That way the impacts on runoffs can be mitigated. However, these ideas of solutions are ambitious and unrealistic. To change rules and regulations on farming practices it would take years and lots of fighting. The odds of tighter restriction are exceptionally low to none. 

Local Level

Now looking at what action we can take on a local level, specifically in my home state, Wisconsin. Chicken farming practices are something we can turn to again. For those who raise their own chickens, keeping your flock in a clean environment with minimal stress. Always provide sufficient feed for the age and production status of the birds and plenty of cool, clean water. Allow enough floor space and shade as specified in the poultry welfare code. As for corn, the same can be said for those who grow their own corn on a smaller scale. No till planting specifically helps reduce the environmental impact as an alternative to using plows and discing. Instead, corn farmers simply plant their seeds in the existing vegetation. This method preserves valuable topsoil, limits erosion, and supports good soil health. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to these ideas, they may not be the most cost effective for farmers as some of these alternative practices can cause them to lose money. Another issue with the solutions is that not everyone has access to what they need to sustainably grow corn and chickens. 

Individual Level

Lastly, what can you do? What solutions are you able to create? Well buying from farmers markets is always a good start. Supporting local farmers minimizes the amount of waste and pollution created. Many uses certified organic practices, reducing the number of synthetic pesticides and chemicals that pollute our soil and water. In addition to this you can also grow your own food, it can help reduce carbon emissions, cut greenhouse gases, and help keep a lid on rising global temperatures. One last solution is cutting out certain things from your diet like meat. This solution may not be for everyone but if you feel up to it choosing a vegetarian diet can dramatically reduce the amount of land, water, and oil resources that you consume and the amount of pollution you otherwise might cause. As with every solution, though there are constraints, being a vegetarian may be costly for some. Others may need certain dietary requirements or have dietary restrictions. For those who grow their own food they may not produce enough to be well nourished or have access to the space and resources needed. Supporting local farmers at farmers markets may not be an option for many as they might not have them where they live, or they live in a food desert. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion the best thing we can all do to protect our world is to just be more concise. There is not just one solution or something that will fix it all, it is the little things that can add up. We as a collective need to make the best choices we can daily in order to preserve this plant for future generations.