Recently there has been debate in national press relating to human beings' total life impact on the environment. Studies have shown that although people with unhealthy lifestyles (lack of exercise, excessive drinking, smoking and unhealthy eating) do consume slightly more resources per day than fit and healthy people, they do not live as long on average, and therefore will consume less of the earth's resources over their total lifespan.
For example, the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on the Health Consequences of Smoking states "During 1995-1999, smoking caused approximately 440,000 premature deaths in the United States annually, leading to 13.2 years of potential life lost for male smokers, and 14.5 years lost for female smokers". This represents an 18% reduction in average life expectancy, and infers a similar reduction in the total amount of resources used.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/
Although we are not actively advocating for an unhealthy lifestyle, know that by reaching for a Guinness or Twinkie, or just skipping the gym for a few days, you could in the long run be having a positive effect on the environment!
2 comments:
There is a always another side to every story. I am sure many smokers hard drinkers will find a perfectly valid reason not to quit after reading your story!
All statistics and projections and presentations.
I wonder about the amount of truth in these.
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