Personal carbon trading: a potential "stealth intervention" for obesity reduction?
The obesity epidemic and global warming are linked through energy use. A personal carbon trading scheme aimed at reducing fossil fuel usage could act as a "stealth intervention" for reducing obesity by increasing personal energy use. Such a scheme would complement a corporate "cap and trade" system for carbon emissions, which should increase the relative price of processed, energy-dense foods. The scheme would work by reducing global carbon emissions to a sustainable level (contraction), while offering potential for trade of emission rights between frugal and profligate users of non-renewable energy (convergence). A key goal would be changed attitudes to conspicuous (and obesogenic) consumption. Adoption of the scheme would make healthy choices the easy choice.
Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia. eggergj@ozemail.com.au
Garry
G
Egger
D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005524:Food Technology; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*