By Katie Cevaal, Illinois Wesleyan University Environmental Studies Major and Ecology Action Center Intern
There is a strong connection between human and environmental health. According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Achieving this state requires basic conditions including clean air, clean water, nutritious and safe food, rest, shelter, and exercise. We depend on the Earth’s resources to meet these needs. Human activity can have a negative impact on ecological systems, and thus can be detrimental to our own health. Sustainability is this balancing act, defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the well-being of the future — finding congruence between economic, environmental, and social needs. Leading a healthy, sustainable lifestyle can improve your well-being and support a healthier environment.
Eating organic, locally grown food is a good for you, your community, and the environment. Local food does not travel far from the farm to your fork, which decreases transportation emissions. Farmers harvest unripe produce to transport over long distances, and it loses some nutritional value as a result. Eating locally ensures you are eating fresh, nutrient-rich foods, and the money you spend stays in your community’s economy. A study by the Edible Economy Project found that if Central Illinois consumers bought 15 percent of their food from local farms, it would generate $639 million in new income annually. Standard produce is grown using pesticides, which can be ingested if food is not washed properly. Pesticides also rinse off crops into nearby bodies of water after periods of rain, contaminating the water. Organic foods are produced without pesticides. Overall, eating locally sourced and organic foods increases the health benefits to you, keeps your community’s economy strong, supports local farmers, and protects soil and water quality.
Walking or riding your bike is another great way to live a healthier, more sustainable life. Alternative transportation reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating emissions, and biking is a great form of exercise. Commuting to work on a bike burns an average of 540 calories per hour. A cyclist only emits .075 lbs of CO2 per mile traveled, according to the European Cyclists Federation, compared to cars, which emit .96 lbs of CO2 per mile traveled. An active commute is significantly better for your physical health than driving, and helps keep toxins out of the air.
Reducing the amount of chemicals in your daily life also plays a role in healthy and sustainable living. There are approximately 100,000 industrial chemicals used worldwide, with only a fraction evaluated for their human and environmental toxicity. The Environmental Working Group found that chemicals in cleaning supplies such as VOCs, formaldehyde, various carcinogens, and fragrances pose serious health risks. They can induce asthma, cause cancer, cause chemical burns, and are poisonous if ingested. These chemicals also contribute to air pollution and damage to drinking water when rinsed down the drain. Using non-toxic household items, like vinegar, reduces the amount of chemicals you expose yourself to, reduces contamination, costs less, and still keeps your home clean. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Label on cleaning supplies and other products can help determine if a product is sustainable.
These are just a few examples highlighting the interconnected relationship between human and environmental health.
To learn more, come to the Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo on April 8, 2017 at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center. This interactive event celebrates creating healthy communities by blending ideas for green alternatives and championing and promoting the many services and groups in Illinois that promote healthy living and a healthy earth.
Sources available upon request.