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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
April 20 - 26, 2022 EDITOR: Aaliyah Alexander • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
Zero-waste living isn’t Adopting veganism could realistic for everyone save us from climate crisis EDITOR IN CHIEF Catlan Nguyen
By Aaliyah Alexander OPINION EDITOR
Photo by Eugènie Budnik
“Welcome” sign to Salton Sea Beach, a once popular attraction now subject to climate destruction.
By Eugènie Budnik SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Ever since Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg led a climate strike in Stockholm in August of 2018, sustainability has become a buzzword of a lifestyle we all must follow or else our planet will face certain doom. Businesses such as Patagonia, Microsoft, Reformation and many more pride themselves on their sustainable business practices and efforts. More specifically, the sustainability movement has made tremendous efforts to make more sustainable fashion and food choices, both of which have undeniably contributed to climate change. The global food system contributes 21-37% of total greenhouse emissions, and the fashion industry follows behind with a contribution of 10% of total carbon emissions. Sustainable influencers can be seen on Instagram encouraging their followers to stop purchasing fast fashion items, become vegan or purchase other perceivably sustainable products. The truth is sustainability is a privilege not many can afford, and shunning the average consumer for not making sustainable decisions is not the answer to our environmental crises. The ability to consciously make decisions about what is sustainable and what is not is something that not everyone has the time or money to make. For those whose basic needs are already being met, taking extra steps to ensure the food one is consuming or purchasing is sustainable isn’t a matter of survival, making sustainability practices a luxury. But, for those who worry about what they’re going to put on the table tonight, or those who worry about having the proper attire for employment, or those who don’t have the autonomy to make decisions, sustainability is often out of reach. How can you expect someone to worry about the greenhouse gas emissions that have been produced by the food that they’re eating when they aren’t even sure where their next meal is coming
from? How can you expect someone not to buy $20 work pants from Target or Walmart when the sustainable substitute is two or three times their entire paycheck? The answer is that you can’t, and you shouldn’t. Instead of being angry at your neighbor for the issue of climate change, the real people you should be seeking change from are the large scale corporations and businesses which are the biggest contributors to climate change and other environmental problems. Or you could focus your energy on environmental justice, or the idea that environmental issues and social justice issues go hand-in-hand. Research has shown that there is a direct link between the environment and social justice issues, highlighting that minority and low-income communities being statistically more likely to live in neighborhoods exposed to landfills, toxic waste, air pollution and other environmental hazards. The San Diego neighborhood of Barrio Logan, which has a huge Latinx population, has been constantly exposed to air pollution and toxic waste from the nearby military facilities since the 1940s. In the Anza-Borrego Desert Community, which was once a bustling resort spot in the 1950s frequented by celebrities, the Salton Sea is drying up. As the Salton Sea is drying up, it is causing toxic dust to particulate in the air, which has led to residents having some of the highest levels of respiratory problems in the entire state of California. Environmental justice recognizes that environmental issues cannot be solved by ignoring the systematic issues of poverty, racism and classism. While buying that $200 sustainable dress from Reformation or becoming a vegan might be the best sustainable actions for you, it is a luxury that many cannot afford. There is more that can be done right in your community to make a sustainable difference for everyone to enjoy. Eugènie Budnik is a sophomore studying journalism and advertising.
There are various sustainability practices displayed on the internet nowadays. Carrying around a Hydro Flask, purchasing a cute bamboo utensil kit, thrift shopping, using tote bags when visiting Trader Joe’s — just to name a few. However, there’s one practice many people overlook that could make a seemingly insignificant but important impact in the fight for a more sustainable society: going plantbased. This article isn’t to come off as a critique on lifestyles that don’t incorporate plant-based consciousness. Instead, I want to offer a little food for thought. As of now, the meat industry contributes to nearly 60% of greenhouse gas emission, according to The Guardian. In comparison to plant-based alternatives production, meat production accounts for double the pollution. The Guardian highlighted that scientists “have consistently stressed that if dangerous global heating is to be avoided, a major rethink of eating habits and farming practices is required.” Not only does food production contribute to deforestation, water shortages and vast ocean dead zones, it’s also affecting climate change. Our climate crisis doesn’t solely rely on individual habits and lifestyles to magically fix the problem. The major culprits are the greedy corporations that continue to selfishly deplete our natural resources and produce the majority of unnecessary toxins in our environment. This could mean turning to government involvement to actually make strides toward change. However, small habits made by the majority of the population could tip the scale in the direction of a healthier planet. Many individuals are hesitant to adopt a plant-based lifestyle whether it be some form of vegetarianism or veganism, but it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing lifestyle change. Incorporating “Meatless Mondays” every week can add up over time compared to a household who doesn’t practice “Meatless Mondays.” Now that the plant-based industry is creating more alternatives, the transition to a more plant-based diet is feasible
MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Bland NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Aaliyah Alexander MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval Photo by Aaliyah Alexander
Acai bowl from Goofy Cafe in Honolulu, HI.
to the average consumer. Since I adopted the lifestyle in 2014 before veganism was somewhat trendy, I’ve seen the evolution of grocery store options and fastfood chain menu options. I’m jealous of the people who decide to go plant-based in the year 2022 because the transition is effortless. Is it financially and economically possible for every single household to go plantbased? No. But can we cut back on meat and animal by-products as a whole. Yes. “We’re not telling people to stop eating meat,” environmental scientist Pete Smith said, to BBC News. “In some places, people have no other choice. But it’s obvious that in the West we’re eating far too much.” With the current state of the world, we should be open to trying any and everything to reverse the direction in which our environment is going. Alongside petitioning and demanding for drastic changes in the unsustainable practices embedded in large-scale organizations, we could slowly make changes in our households, whether that be purchasing a Hydro Flask, reusable grocery bags or going full-fledged vegan. Whether you decide to ditch meat or not remember: No small effort is a wasted effort in the fight for a cleaner, greener and healthier earth.
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ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ryan Hardison ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cristina Lombardo SPORTS EDITOR Jason Freund ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Finley SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Sara Rott PHOTO EDITOR Noelani Sapla MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jayne Yutig GRAPHIC DESIGNER Emily Forschen
STAFF WRITERS Christian Houser Morgan Ray Destiny Esparza Jazlyn Dieguez Madison Geering SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Eugènie Budnik Jenna Meyer CONTRIBUTORS Isabella Kunde ________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brian Arnold GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Luis Valenzuela EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.
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