1. Set up recycling bins

One of the easiest things you can do to reduce your environmental impact is to recycle. It’s a simple change, but makes a big difference in reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Put a recycling bin next to each and every trash can in the office to make it easy for employees to make the choice to recycle. If your work area requires recycling be separated into paper, plastic, aluminum and glass, use color-coded bins for these different items.

2. Have a green roof installed

If your business is located in a building with a flat roof, consider having a green roof installed. The process involves planting low-maintenance, low-growing plant life atop the roof. In addition to making the building look prettier, especially in a commercial area with little greenery around, a green roof has many positive environmental impacts. The plants insulate the building to reduce heating and cooling costs, use water and reduce runoff and convert some carbon dioxide into oxygen to improve air quality.

3. Install a refrigerator water filter

The refrigerator in your break room should have a water filter installed so you don’t feel like you have to drink bottled water. Bottled water is expensive and the company will recoup the cost of installing a product like the MWF water filter quickly after making the transition. Plastic bottles create a lot of waste that’s bad for the environment. Even if you’re recycling, the bottles still have to go through processing, making a water filter much better for the environment overall.

4. Reduce commuting emissions

The carbon impact of driving to and from work every day is significant. Inspiring people to reduce their impact can make a big difference. Encourage employees to bike to work to benefit their health and the environment. Be sure to provide bike racks outside or storage in a locked space indoors. Consider making a carpooling list for people who live near each other and can ride to work together. Establish a four-day work week or telecommuting policy so employees can work from home, even if it’s just one day each week.

5. Unplug electronics

Leaving all of the computers in the office on overnight uses a lot of electricity. Even if they’re turned off, they still draw an electric current. Encourage all employees to not only turn off electronics, but also unplug them. The easiest way to do this is to put everything on a power strip with a switch that can turn off the current to all devices at the end of the day.

Even if you only start with one of these suggestions, you can make a difference. As people get used to small, beneficial changes and enjoy the results, start implementing other environmentally friendly ideas. If you aren’t in a position in your office to make the changes, talk to the person who is. Volunteer to lead a committee that can gain employee support for the changes you want to make and build a network to put these tips into action.

Greener Raw Materials

The raw materials used to create products are one of the major areas where we have been seeing forward progress in the green revolution. Companies are making increasing efforts to use more renewable resources–like bamboo instead of wood–so they have less of an impact on the environment. They have also been using more recycled materials as their raw materials, making use of plastics, old tires and other materials to keep them out of landfills and give them a new life in products.

Greener Transportation

Transporting raw materials to a manufacturing site is one of the major sources of pollution in the supply chain, but companies are making strides to manage their transportation better to use fewer resources during this step. For example, hours of service is a system that allows the dispatcher to manage fleets of trucks moving across American highways much more efficiently. This not only saves money for the company, but it also saves fuel, which is better for the environment. Fleet management is an art and a science, and implementing these more efficient systems will have a significant impact on decreasing pollution and resource use for transportation.

Greener Manufacturing

The last major area of the supply chain is manufacturing, which is where possibly the largest overhaul has been. When you think of manufacturing, huge factories using ridiculous amounts of electricity and spewing out harmful chemicals usually come to mind. But these days, manufacturers have become much more conscious of the environmental impact of their processes. For example, Subaru’s manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Ind. cleans and recovers the solvents it uses during the painting process so it can reuse these solvents instead of dumping them.

A Green Future     

Greening each part of the supply chain leads to benefits for everyone, making it a popular choice. Consumers appreciate that their purchases are friendly to the environment, while manufacturers get tax benefits and increasingly streamlined production, which lowers costs. In the coming years, we should expect to see continued advancement in each step of the process, from using more renewable materials to transporting them efficiently and producing end products in environmentally friendly plants. The green revolution is just gaining momentum, and it won’t be stopping anytime soon.

It seems a little backwards that in the 21st century so many people are returning to their roots and making an effort to grow their own food, make their own clothes and pursue a lifestyle that was common in our grandparents’ generation. Urban theorist Naomi Davis studied this trend in large urban areas, and she coined the term “grannynomics” to describe the shift in economic focus as people go back to their roots and produce goods for themselves and those who live near them.

Davis lives in Chicago, where she puts her theories into practice in her neighborhood revitalization projects. The vibrant culture, central location, great public transportation and wide variety of Chicago hotels and businesses are some of the more common reasons that people live in the Windy City. But many others live in Chicago because their families have always been there. They stay because of the community and because they can’t afford to go anywhere else. And when people are pinching pennies, they turn to old economic practices to survive.

Based on the principles of grannynomics, we are starting to see pockets of people in cities like Chicago who are developing their own local economies and selling to or trading with one another as a way to support each other and get what they need. From food to clothing, clean energy, home goods and other necessities, people are finding ways to be productive even when they don’t have traditional jobs. By buying from each other rather than the corporate machine, families develop a sense of community and the village mentality of helping each other out.

Oddly enough, it looks like our national economy is moving in the direction of grannynomics as well. As President Obama works to keep jobs in the United States, he is encouraging policies that have Americans buying from one another rather than from other countries. And although it creates a sense of community, it also leads to a lack of specialization that may hold us back and force us to pay more because we are using outdated methods.

People are split on whether grannynomics is a good thing or not. Although it forces people to generalize and focus on basic survival needs rather than advancement, it also supports communities that would otherwise be struggling. That is evident in Chicago, as Davis’s principles have been put into practice to form “Green Villages.” These communities are returning to their roots and developing the village mindset to affect real change in the people who live there.

Davis stated that “in my Mom’s […] village, everything they ate, they grew; everything they wore, they made; and they were happy. They had everything but cash and thought they were poor. But they were rich.” If she has her way, everyone will soon feel richer than they currently do, making grannynomics a win-win situation for everyone involved.

I would probably have guessed food service or the auto-industry.  In fact, however, the construction industry produces far more solid waste than any other industry.

Because buildings and residential structures are so often demolished or remodeled, the entire physical environment around you where you’re sitting in your home or office is likely to be carted off to a landfill sometime in the next few decades.

Given the massive waste that is inherent in the construction industry, you would think there would be a big push to make sure that the materials being used were environmentally sound or recyclable.  And there is in certain corners of the industry–flooring for example.

Especially hardwood flooring–because it is on the one hand beautiful and desirable, and on the other hand not always ecologically sound, depending on the region from which the wood is harvested–has long been an area of contention for environmentalists.  A solution to the controversy of hardwood flooring is laminate flooring.

Laminate Flooring

When it comes to choosing flooring for your home, laminate provides several benefits over hardwood. If you plan on installing the floor yourself, you will find that laminate is much less difficult to put in. It is also a more eco-friendly choice, as it does not require any trees to be cut down.

Price Considerations

Laminate flooring is a much more budget friendly option compared to hardwood or other flooring choices. Typically, the cost of laminate flooring is less than $3 per square foot. You can find it for an even better price if you visit a wholesale outlet or look online. Putting in a hardwood floor can cost nearly three times as much, especially if you need to hire a professional to install the floor for you.

Environmental Concerns

Choosing laminate over hardwood is the more sustainable and eco-friendly choice. The wood for some hardwood floors may come from trees that were not harvested in an environmentally conscious way, meaning the trees were cut down and new trees were not planted or an entire forest was cleared to produce the floors. No trees are cut down in the production of laminate floors. Some laminate floors are made out of bamboo, which is another sustainable option. Bamboo grows rapidly and is abundant.

A lot of hardwood floors are made from the Brazilian rainforest wood, Jatoba/Cherry wood. While the wood is beautiful, installing it in a home is not environmentally friendly. Laminate flooring has similar burgundy, deep red or orange tones, but is very eco-friendly.

Installing Laminate is a Snap (Literally)

Generally, installing a laminate floor is a simple do-it-yourself project. With a weekend’s worth of time, you should be able to put in a new floor. The floor can be put directly on top of most types of flooring, from tile floors to hardwood. You can even install laminate on top of another laminate floor. What you cannot do is put it on top of carpet. If you have a carpeted floor, you will need to rip it out before cutting and installing the laminate.

You do not need to glue laminate in place. Most flooring systems have grooves and tongues on the edges, so that each piece simply snaps together. The snap-together construction also means that you can easily pick up and remove the laminate flooring if needed. What you do need to install laminate is a ruler and a saw, as you may need to cut the pieces down to size so that they cover the floor evenly.

Laminate Flooring is Durable

One aspect of laminate that appeals to many home owners is its durability. The flooring is made of pressed together wood particles covered in a wood veneer or melamine coating. Unlike hardwood, the coating resists scratches and stains. It’s ideal for areas of the home that see a lot of foot traffic and for homes that have young children or pets, as spills can be wiped up easily without leaving a trace.

Hardwood floors can be permanently damaged by moisture and spills. The coating on laminate prevents any standing water from soaking into the floor. You can put laminated in the kitchen whereas you would probably think twice before installing hardwood in there.

Another benefit of laminate flooring over hardwood is that it will not fade in sunlight. The sun shining in through the windows can cause the stain of hardwood to fade over the years, requiring a homeowner to re-stain it or requiring that the area be concealed with a throw rug to protect it from the sun. If you need to cover the beautiful hardwood floor with a rug, there seems little point in getting a hardwood floor.

Laminate is Easy to Maintain

To clean a laminate floor, you simply need to wipe the floor with a microfiber mop. If there are spills or grime on the floor, you can use a damp mop or floor cleaner to wipe them away. Hardwood floors are much harder to care for, as they need to be polished and resurfaced from time to time to keep their shine and smoothness.

Beauty and Resale

Installing a laminate floor adds beauty to your home. It is available in many shades and styles, so you will find a floor that appeals you. Many people prefer laminate over wall-to-wall carpeting and other flooring options, which raises the resale value of your home if you decide to sell.

The Keystone Project refers to a 1,700-mile pipeline that would carry crude oil from Canada through the American Midwest to the Gulf Coast. Champions of the project declare it will create tens of thousands of jobs and forge a path toward energy independence. Opponents contend the project will create far fewer jobs than expected at the expense of America’s natural beauty and potentially polluting the nation’s largest aquifer.

The oil comes from bituminous sands in Alberta, Canada. These sands are unconventional petroleum deposits and have only recently been considered seriously as a viable resource in light of new technology and increasingly tumultuous gas prices owing to instability in nations that have traditionally supplied American oil.

The two issues at hand are the environment and jobs. President Obama has been thrust into a difficult decision: compromise with Republicans to approve a project that will slake America’s thirst for jobs, or deny Keystone XL on the grounds that it’s simply too dangerous to the health of Americans who could be affected by pollution or spills, a la Hinkley, California. The conversation has turned toward determining what the jobs potential is for the project and weighing that against potential risks.

The numbers rise and fall depending on who is weighing in; at one point late last year, Fox News proclaimed the project would create between 50,000 and a million jobs. That number has slowly fallen as more details about the project have come to light.

From CNN Money:

TransCanda (TRP), the company that wants to build the pipeline, says Keystone would create 20,000 “direct” jobs. That includes 13,000 construction jobs and 7,000 jobs making stuff like pump houses and the pipe itself.

It also projects nearly 120,000 “indirect” jobs — think restaurant workers and hotel employees to support the construction.

TransCanada spokesman Shawn Howard defends the forecast: “If our budgets and work plans were way off, we’d lack credibility with the markets, shippers and others,” he said. “Those who dispute the numbers clearly do not have this experience, have not actually done proper studies on this project to support their claims and can only venture guesses.”

But TransCanada numbers count each job on a yearly basis. If the pipeline employs 10,000 people working for two years, that’s 20,000 jobs by the company’s count.

The estimates also include jobs in Canada, where about a third of the $7 billion pipeline would be constructed.

Of course, the numbers don’t always add up. The State Department has forecasted a much lower number over the two-year term, something to the tune of 5,000 direct jobs, and of those, only a few hundred will be permanent jobs. The Keystone XL project is expected to largely benefit construction workers over the two years it will take to build the pipeline, but not after the project is complete.

CNN caught up with TransCanada Vice President Robert Jones. In an interview, Jones stated that with respect to the number of jobs created by the project, “You’re probably looking at – in the field, from Montana to Houston – in the hundreds, certainly not in the thousands because those are construction jobs.”

Some experts question whether the net jobs lost might overwhelm the number of jobs gained. For example, people who have a construction management degree might benefit in the short term as the pipeline is built, while people who make their living from tourism in areas that will be decimated by the pipeline may lose their jobs.

From OMB Watch:

The Keystone XL, according to the Cornell study, could actually kill more jobs than are created in the long run. Any jobs created by the project could be outweighed by the pipeline’s hidden costs that slow job growth or cost jobs in other sectors: higher gas prices for Midwest consumers, toxic oil spills, and damages to local agriculture and tourism. For instance, TransCanada has already admitted that the project would increase gas prices for Americans by driving up the price of heavy crude in the region. The project could cost Midwesterners 10 to 20 cents more per gallon for gas and diesel fuel. The higher fuel prices for consumers in the Midwest would kill thousands of trucking and tourism jobs.

The Cornell University study referenced is the only third party study regarding jobs and Keystone XL. It is available here.

What you probably didn’t know is that shells for these hermit crabs are getting harder and harder to find. Each time someone walks the beach to pick up some great looking shells, especially the larger ones, they’re taking a potential home away from the hermit crabs that require these to avoid getting eaten. As these hermit crabs grow, they must leave one shell in order to continue thriving inside of a larger one.

Without the right shells, they have a higher probability of being eaten. There is a very fierce competition that we don’t often see taking place at the shorelines of beaches across the Northeast. Some hermit crabs will even kill their fellow crabs just to get the best of the shells. Those that lose the battle end up being eaten or forcing themselves into debris that’s washed up along the shoreline, including broken bottles, bottle caps and other less than perfect housing accommodations.

Since nature isn’t supplying the hermit crabs what they need, stereolithography is. There is an SLA prototype that will actually create a hermit crab shell using hard plastic out of a 3-D printer. This type of printing has become increasingly popular because it is able to create plastic, resin and other materials from a printer for a wide source of prototypes and projects.

Rather than just being used for models and other things within the business world, it’s also giving hermit crabs a better lease on life. Since the shells aren’t being found in nature like they once used to be, companies are getting creative and choosing to create shells off of 3-D printers so that they can avoid being eaten or having to battle it out with their brethren on the sandy beaches.

The benefit to using the 3-D printing on hermit shells is that they can be designed especially for the hermit crabs. The size, shape and everything else can be specially formatted so that they have the larger shells they need to continue thriving without having to worry about swapping it out later. This cuts down on the territorial battles and leaves the debris that washes up on the shore for the workers to pick up, not the hermit crabs.

With more shells being mass-produced, the life of the hermit crab has begun to look up. They will not be reduced to another species on the endangered species list because of something as simple as a shell. Since it’s almost impossible to police all of the shores for pollution and shell pickers, the SLA prototype is offering a better solution.

Scientists are still perfecting 3-D printing, but it is being used in more and more applications. It’s a time consuming process but the end result is worth it. It’s a sturdy method that can withstand the water, the sand and the other elements, making it the next best option for a hermit crab to live in if it cannot find the right shell.

Hermit crabs need shells to survive, just as humans need a home. Since we have to build our own shelters, it only makes sense that we may have to start doing the same for our crustaceous friends so that future generations can enjoy these friendly decapods on the beaches as well as in the classrooms.

20 things you can do to make your home more sustainable:

1. Use the sun as your energy source – If your residence is located in a sunny area, then investing in solar panels is worth it. It can be costly, but installing solar panels will pay for itself in a few years time as your utility bills will be drastically lower.
2. Get energy from a natural source – By using geothermal heat, you are putting less toxic fumes into the air, thus creating less pollution.
3. Purchase a new water heater – Consider changing out your old water heater for a new, upgraded one. Perhaps the water heater you currently have is a bit too big. Downsizing to a smaller water heater will lower your water costs.
4. Insulate correctly – Protect your home by insulating correctly. If your home is drafty, then more heat will be used, thus making your energy bill higher. When more energy is used, it will create more pollution.
5. Get updated windows – There are many sustainable window options available today, especially double glazed windows, which comes with a layer of air in the middle to help regulate the amount of heat or cold coming into the home.
6. Take a good look at your roof – Many environmentally friendly options exist when it comes to a roof. Consider going with a metal roof because of its durability or an all green roof simply because of its sustainability against weather exposure. Many households are also choosing roofs that are lighter in color as this will reflect light rather than absorbing it, leading to more money in your pockets as your energy costs will become much lower.
7. Take the wind for a spin – Many corporations are now using wind as their energy source and many households are now installing wind turbines to decrease energy costs and to protect the environment. This is an expensive investment, so it is always best to test this action first to see if it provides the results you are looking for.
8. Switch to LED bulbs – If you are currently using fluorescent bulbs, then switch to LED bulbs to rake in a whole lot of savings. In a year’s time, you will see a dramatic difference because LED bulbs give off a much brighter light and last twice as longer.
9. Try to recycle – Recycle bins are popping up everywhere, so take the time recycle plastics, aluminum and paper as this truly does help make the entire household aware of what is being used and how to become more sustainable.
10. Start making things from scratch – There are many household items that can be made with a little time and effort on your part. Things like laundry soap or other cleaning supplies can be made with wholesome, natural ingredients and can cost you nearly nothing.
11. Decrease your paper intake – Instead of going through dozens of paper towel rolls, switch to cloth towels and napkins.
12. Shut off appliances – Even when an appliance is not in use, if it is plugged in, it is still eating up valuable energy. Plug appliances into power strips to easily shut off them off when they are not in use.
13. Change your cooking habits – Invest in a crock pot and learn some new slow cooker recipes. By doing so, you are cutting your energy costs because a crock pot uses less energy than an electrical stove.
14. Let your dryer have a break – On nice, warm days, dry your clothes out on a clothesline. The sun and wind are natural drying sources.
15. Get rid of extra grass – A big lawn takes a lot of maintenance and water to keep it alive and healthy. Lay down rock beds or mulch to decrease the amount of time and effort it takes to upkeep a lawn.
16. Use natural fertilizer – Things from inside and outside the home can be made into compost.
17. Plant some trees – Trees are a valuable resource. Consider planting fruit trees to provide clean and wholesome food to your dinner table.
18. Wash larger loads of dishes – If you have a dishwasher, wait until you can put a full load of dishes into it as this will use less water than if you were to manually wash the dishes.
19. Save water – Specifically, rainwater. Purchase buckets and place them in areas which the rain falls the most. It’s free and environmentally friendly.
20. Turn off the lights – One of the most overlooked habits in many households is leaving lights on in a room. Install motion sensor lights so that the forgetting to turn the light off will not make your energy costs higher.

To make your home more sustainable is easy. All it takes is you and your family to be aware of choices and how certain choices can be changed to be more environmentally friendly. Sometimes, it can be a big adjustment to change, but give it time and you will be reaping the benefits.

This article is written by 1001Shops a retail store for specialty products like vintage floor lamps, contemporary artificial flowers, etageres and lot more.

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1. We simply must break our dependence on fossil fuels. Why? Pick your reason. The recent hike in gas prices has shown that this industry has a stranglehold on consumers and their pocketbooks.  Also, despite what politicians would have you believe, there is no such thing as “clean coal“.  Coal is harmful to the environment and human health, and the sooner we understand that, the better.
2. Conversely, there are all sorts of alternative energy sources—solar, wind, hydro, geothermal—that are not being implemented because of our obscene obsession with fossil fuels. These would not only make withdrawal from fossil fuels more bearable, but they would benefit the environment while saving us money.
3. Green manufacturing is the way of the future, and must not be ignored any longer. Not only will these jobs stimulate the economy and provide needed employment to millions, but it will make us competitive with the rest of the world. Once upon a time, America lead the way with innovation, and we can do it again, with just a little effort. To quote Thomas Paine, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
4. The days of the two-party duopoly that has defined American politics for so long simply has to end. Our elected officials have been bought and paid for, and until we realize that and demand more, they will continue to pander to the interests of big corporations, not the American people. This attitude has prevailed for so long that it affects every aspect of American life, including the atrocities which are committed to the environment on a daily basis.
5. Fitness and a healthy lifestyle must be made a priority in this country. American has the third highest rate of obesity on the planet. This leads to countless health problems, but it also (theoretically) increases the use of automobiles, which increases air pollution. Healthy people want to live in a healthy world, and are more likely to ride bicycles or walk instead of driving a block to the nearest gas station to buy a 32-ounce Slushy.
6. Food standards must improve in the US. Not only are animals raised and slaughtered in a disgusting, unethical manner, but they are pumped full of growth hormones, antibiotics, and other goodies which in turn make it into our food source. When you combine this with the pollution in our water supply, this makes for incredibly unhealthy food that we feed to our kids and ourselves.
7. Processed foods need to go the way of the Dodo. Not only are they unhealthy and a leading cause of the aforementioned obesity, but some of the additives that are used can actually compromise the body’s structure and ability to function properly. More negative side effects are exposed as research into these substances continues, so why not face reality and stop using them?
8. Whole, healthy foods simply must be made more affordable. As things stand now, impoverished families pay a substantial amount of their disposable income for food that is basically an unhealthy waste of money, and the wealthy, who can afford the exorbitant price tags, are spending vast amounts of money that could be spent on more important things. There is no plausible reason why this is, other than sheer greed, and ignorance on the part of consumers. If we put our foot down, then something will have to give.
9. Americans—everybody, for that matter—must be properly educated about health and nutrition.  Many people don’t understand the detrimental effects of various dietary items, such as meat, dairy, etc., on their health; conversely, they underestimate the importance of maintaining a diet that is more plant-based. If people are properly educated, they will make the proper choices, thus facilitating many of the other changes that I’ve proposed.
10. Consumers must learn of the importance of only buying ethically-sourced and -manufactured goods. This will not only end human traffic and slavery—which is still a very rampant problem in the world—but it will ensure a fair wage for workers who are now working for pennies on the dollar, and will make these goods more affordable for consumers.

If we were all to make one or more of these our New Year’s—nay, our New Decade’s—Resolutions, then what sort of a world would we be leaving to our children? Something to think about as you draw up your list of promises. Happy New Year. May it be a bright and promising one!

Thomas Stone is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor at Ethical Affluence.

Once upon a time, the wealthy ate meat and refined foods, while the poor subsisted on a mostly plant-based diet and coarse breads. How the times have changed since then! Now, low-income families search for coupons to buy bags of frozen chicken nuggets and loaves of white bread, while the wealthy take advantage of local deals to buy organic vegetables and whole grain breads. While it has been accepted by many that a vegetarian diet is healthy, it is beyond the financial reach of many consumers. Why is this?

The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

First, let’s start with why it is so illogical that a plant-based diet is so expensive. According to the USDA, “Vegetables, fruits and other plant foods are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients (like vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and other carotenoids) that may protect our cells from damage by cancer-causing agents, halting the earliest processes that lead to cancer. In addition they contain thousands of phytochemicals (natural substances in plants, like indoles, isoflavones and polyphenols) that appear to protect against cancer in a variety of ways.”

Moreover, “eating an abundance of vegetables, fruits and other plant foods may protect against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and birth defects. Soluble fiber from grains and legumes may help lower blood cholesterol. Antioxidants in plant foods may help prevent cataracts, and carotenoids specifically appear to prevent deterioration of the retina of the eye. A plant-based diet can also contribute significantly to reducing obesity, a risk factor for cancer and other diseases.”

In other words, the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the healthier you will be. Not only can you reduce your risk of cancer, but every other aspect of your health as well. By making these items more expensive, it’s almost as if they are forcing the poor into a corner of poor health and wasted money.  Meanwhile, they are taking advantage of the wealthy, who are able to pay exorbitant prices in order to be healthy. If prices were more reasonable, then everyone could be healthy, and their money could be spent elsewhere.

Negative Health Benefits of Meat

Many view meat as an essential part of a healthy diet, but they are unaware of the negative health benefits of meat: meat is high in fat—especially saturated fat—and cholesterol, and is very dense in calories. Additionally, when meat is cooked, it produces heterocyclic amines, a carcinogenic compound, and increases your chances of colon cancer. Meat is difficult to digest, and can cause IBS, stomach cramps, prolapsed colons, hemorrhoids and constipation, just to name a few maladies. Meat also may contain bacteria and diseases, and can increase our chances of autoimmune diseases. Depending upon how the meat you eat is raised, it may contain synthetic hormones and/or drugs, specifically antibiotics.

While some meat is raised organically or free range, without antibiotics and growth hormones, these are the more expensive meats, leading to the same financial quandary for the impoverished. The majority of meat sold is raised in substandard conditions that are both inhumane to the animals and potentially hazardous to consumers, and this meat is so inexpensive that people buy it without realizing the possible negative impact it can have on their health.

Possible Solutions to this Dilemma

As long as there is miseducation and misinformation about healthy eating, then consumers will continue to make poor dietary choices. Many are not aware that what they are spending their hard-earned money on and preparing lovingly for their children is actually causing health problems, rather than staving them off. Therefore, education is the first step toward changing consumers’ attitudes toward healthy choices.

In addition to properly educating consumers as to the health benefits and risks of various food items—which in itself would have an enormous impact on food choices—measures should be taken to lower the price of healthy foods. Whether this is done in the form of coupons, government subsidies, or what have you, there are options out there that aren’t being explored, and in the meantime, low-income families are continuing to eat unhealthy foods and costs are continuing to climb on healthier options.

By leveling the proverbial playing field, Americans will have more and better options when they are standing in the produce aisle. They will know how best to budget their money and they will be able to buy more for less. For that to happen, this problem needs to be addressed openly and often, until something is done to change the status quo and ensure proper nutrition and health for everyone.