Thinner is better to curb global warming, study says

STP · 2009-04-21T01:04:39+00:00

wssearch Thinner is better to curb global warming, study says Story Highlights * Transporting heavier people requires more fuel, generating more greenhouse gas * Study compared BMI distribution in UK in 1970s with predictions for 2010 * Governments should encourage active transportation, study author says By Elizabeth Landau CNN (CNN) -- Here's yet another reason to stay in shape: Thinner people contribute less to global warming, according to a new study. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published a study showing that, because of food production and transportation factors, a population of heavier people contributes more harmful gases to the planet than a population of thin people. Given that it takes more energy to move heavier people, transportation of heavier people requires more fuel, which creates more greenhouse gas emissions, the authors write. "The main message is staying thin. It's good for you, and it's good for the planet," said Phil Edwards, senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study offers this novel approach to the global warming problem as U.S. lawmakers discuss the future of climate change legislation. This week, the the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to begin on a comprehensive energy and climate bill. On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that six greenhouse gases pose potential health hazards, an announcement that could prompt the regulation of the gases. More than 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and about 300 million are obese, the study said. Generally, the body mass index, a measure of obesity, is increasing in most countries worldwide, from China to European countries to the United States. BMI is going up because of the availability of food and motorized transportation, Edwards said. People are less active now than they were 30 years ago, and the prevalence of fast food has given people less healthy, more energy-dense options....

Apr 21, 2009 25 Replies

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C. E. White 17 years ago

But they also sold Model Ts in numerous other colors (green, maroon, gray, brown, blue, red....). I don't know why people always assume Model T were always black. I doubt many people have seen an unrepainted original Model T. 45 years ago, the local Ford dealer had a rusting hulk of a Model T behind his shop, it was a heavily faded red. Ford may have made the comment about any color as long as it was black, or not, but the truth is Model Ts came in many colors before

1914 and after 1926. From 1915 till 1926 only black Model T were built.

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 17 years ago

You need to come to the Toyota group! ;) (We need some support there. )

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 17 years ago

When I was a teenager I used to work for Coca Cola summers. The driver of the truck (gas) would cut the engine, coast, and then come up along a bus stop where the girls were waiting for the buss to the office.

I'm surprised we never gave anyone a heart attack (or blow the muffler to pieces...) ;)

Oh, Nice!

Here I am completely surrounded by No Beer!

(Have you ever noticed the title of the book he reads in bed?)

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cuhulin 17 years ago

I never noticed the title of Onslow's book he reads in bed, what is it?

CO2 is plant food. cuhulin

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 17 years ago

Usually it's "Principles Of Condensed Matter Physics".

It's been said he also reads "A Brief History Of Time" by Hawking, but I've never noticed that one.

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cuhulin 17 years ago

A guy went to visit an old guy laying on his deathbed.He starts to pull up a chair to sit down.Old guy says, You leave that chair alone! Other guy says, Why? Old guy says, I am waiting for Rigor Mortis to set in. cuhulin

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