A Revelation: How I Became Interested in Environmental Issues

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In 2014, I received devastating news about the deteriorating health of two relatives. My grandmother was suffering from liver disease and my father-in-law was fighting cancer.

This was a revelation and the beginning of a new passion.

Initially, I began researching these two diseases individually, focusing on their conception and why they manifest in our bodies in the first place. During my research, the same preventative method continually appeared: organic, plant-based foods.

Both my grandmother and father-in-law passed away in 2015, and my research took a new direction.

Research shows that most diseases could be prevented (or slowed) as a result of the foods we eat. I continued to study more about individual food groups and how they impact our health. As a result, the on-going process of phasing more fruits and vegetables into my family’s diet began.

It became apparent that the pharmaceutical, agricultural, food industry and government agencies all had a hand in each other’s pockets. They had created big business strategies, earning them billions of dollars at the cost of our health and the degradation of the planet. We are now eating more science projects than real food. There has been millions of dollars donated to medical research yet there has been little impact. Deaths from cancer and heart disease still rank highest and are continuing to grow each year, this, despite the rise in the amount of prescription drugs available.

I discovered how eating processed foods and animal products had a negative impact on our health, but my biggest surprise was learning of the devastating effects agricultural farming has on our planet. Agriculture contributes to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases, while unstable farming practices erode and degrade the soil, massive land conversion destroys habitats and many businesses are irresponsible in their water consumption practices. Water contamination from farm waste is a prime example.

This is just scratching the surface.

I believe that personal choices, rooted in greed, ignorance, habit, lack of concern and a general lack of knowledge related to environmental issues and solutions are responsible for many of the on-going problems concerning the Earth. Some issues feel so grand, that many people (previously including myself) don’t see anything relevant in their daily lives they can do to help.

My intent for this blog is to serve as a source of inspiration for others to discover a similar passion and a drive for change. Through diligent research, I will shed light on issues and present solutions to assist ourselves, each other and the Earth.

One revelation.

One small change.

One big impact.

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In Loving Memory:

Maria Concepcion Esquibel (1936 - 2015)

Manuel Perez (1946-2015)

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