HAPI Guide Summer 2017 | Page 49

HEALTH “It’s like what happened with landlines versus cellu- lar phones,” Musk says. “A lot of developing countries didn’t do the landline phones. They went straight to cellular.” Musk has calculated how many gigafactories like the one in Reno would be required to transition the whole world to renewable energy. The answer? One hundred gigafactories, measuring about 15 million square feet each. That’s all that would be required to make enough solar powered batteries to give solar energy to not just the U.S., but every nation on the globe. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) create an enormous amount of waste that pollutes soil, air and water. CAFOs also routinely use anti- biotics, thereby promoting antibiotic-resistant dis- ease and drug-resistant pandemics. As noted by Musk, were larger industry giants to get in on this, along with nations like China, the transi- tion could be accomplished rather quickly. It would be even quicker if governments were to implement laws and regulations favoring renewable energy. Some countries are already well on their way. About 30 percent of Germany’s energy comes from solar energy, for example. Denmark uses as much as 100 percent solar, and Sweden recently declared its intention to become the first fossil fuel-free na- tion in the world. To embed this infographic on your website go to: http://www.mercola.com/infographics/truth- about-factory-farms.htm  9. The Easiest Way to Opt Out of a Destructive System 10. Voting for a Cleaner World With Every Meal As noted by Gidon Eshel, Ph.D., a research profes- sor of environmental physics at Bard College, one of the absolute easiest ways to opt out of destruc- tive systems — without appealing to or waiting for governments and corporations to change — is by changing your own diet. Hopefully you can find the time to watch “Before the Flood.” I think you’ll find it to be an eye-opener. And, while realizing the extent of the environmen- tal destruction can be distressing, it’s important to realize where your power lies. In this case, the greatest power you have as an individual is your purchasing power. Eshel is a scientist who studies the effects of agri- culture on climate. According to Eshel, 47 percent of the land is used for food production and, of that, 70 percent is used to grow feed for cattle in feed- lots. Fruits, vegetables and nuts account for a mere 1 percent of the agricultural land. Each decision you make either adds to the prob- lem or facilitates the solution. So take responsi- bility for your decisions. As mentioned, one of the easiest ways to opt out of a number of destructive systems is to change your diet. While I believe everyone needs some beef, most Americans do eat as much as five times more than they need, so cutting back on beef could also have a number of health benefits. An even more import- ant change would be to switch to grass fed beef which reduces the carbon footprint and improves the soil, water and environment. 49 | HAPI Guide By supporting your local farmers and choosing fresh, local produce over “cheap” conventional va- rieties commonly sold in larger grocery chains, you help steer the agricultural industry toward safer, more sustainable systems. You can also slash your food bill by focusing on locally grown foods that are in season, typically a bargain at that time of year, or by growing some of your own. Remember