Climate Change-what is the connection?
Nutrition and Physical Activity - what is the connection?
The NUPA team aims to make the healthy choice the easy choice in relation to nutrition, physical activity and social connectedness. The team is currently exploring the environmental determinants of obesity, unhealthy eating patterns and physical activity via partnership with regional organisations to develop an integrated response to climate change.
Eat fresh and local – the green eating solution
When you eat locally grown food that is in season, you reduce carbon emissions caused by transporting food long distances. Even better, locally grown food is fresher, does not generate extra costs from transportation, and supports local farmers and the local economy. Promoting a local food supply is an indirect way of promoting healthy food and making healthy food more affordable.
On the North Coast, foods that can be considered to have low-carbon emissions include locally produced fruit, vegetables, fish and nuts. These are all healthy foods. Foods with moderate carbon emissions are grass fed beef and dairy foods. Grain fed meat is much higher in carbon emissions and processed foods are higher still. Similarly, the transportation of bottled water, soft drinks and fruit juice across the country results in high carbon emissions. When it comes to the health of the planet and our bodies, fresh tap water is the best choice.
Expanded and easily accessible farmer’s markets and a wholesale local fruit and vegetable market could cut emissions dramatically and lead to cheaper fresher food for consumers and healthier profits for farmers. Other options are to increase the number of community and school food gardens, and the number of people growing and exchanging their own fruit and vegetables. Active involvement in these activities has the added benefit of increasing physical activity and mental wellbeing.