Reflection on Tutorial Two- Food Sustainability

Food, an essential part of daily lives is a source of energy for everyone. Other than water and air, food is another necessity that is undergoing serious threat as a result of our own disregards and exploitation. A daily minimum of slightly less than a thousand calories energy intake can sustain a human of average size quite comfortably. This is provided if the activities are not mostly intensive and physically demanding. It is appalling to know that some people in a few regions across the world are consuming twice or even three times the amount daily. Currently, the average American consumes almost 4000 calories every day and counting! It was 3770 calories according to the United Nations in 2003. On top of that, an average American requires at least an intake of 2000 calories to survive comfortable. I believe no American in the right state of mind will want to try a 1000 calories intake unless for conscious dieting.

Food consumed by an American family

This is indeed frightening isn’t it? I have to add on that most Americans do not work in sectors which require much of their physical contribution. Such jobs like construction and delivering are undertaken by foreigners (such as the case in Singapore). Even for semi- developed Singapore and developed Japan, people in this countries do not consume as much as what is being consumed in the West. So what exactly is the problem?

On a whole, the importance of sustainability is more successfully promoted in the west, especially in the North America continent. People binge on food and do not take into account of the consequences of their excessive eating behavior. Not only is excessive eating putting a strain on our Earth’s resources, this eating habit is damaging to the body and more resources will be required for medical treatments in the future as mentioned in reflection on lecture five. The Americans are fans of fast food. You can see fast food outlets everywhere in the cities. It is even more convenient and price saving to dine at fast food restaurants than those which provide specialty cooked food or cuisines. Perhaps it is unfair to make accusation that the Americans have no regards for the environment as seen from the way they eat. Some of them have spoken about the limited choice of their diet. To them, it is cheaper to dine at fast food restaurants. Given their hectic working lifestyles, it is often undesirable and inefficient to travel distances just to have healthy food. Furthermore, most people grow up in an environment with large servings of food and processed food so it is hard to kick the usual eating habit and go for the greener choice. Even more, the United States is a highly developed country and as such, minimum land is set aside of agriculture. This gives reason to why fruits and vegetables are expensive, thus processed packed food and fast food are more favorable.

As compared to he Whites in Australia, the people in Australia consume much lesser than the Americans. The average energy intake by the Australians is just slightly higher than that of the more developed countries in Asia. This is mainly due to the high awareness for environmental sustainability and concern for the environment in the Australians.

Urban farming in Australia

Later on in the reflection on tutorial three, you will see how the seriousness of how the Australians take upon the well-being of nature and environment. They make conscious effort in the consumption of resources, which also includes the amount of resources that are needed to produce food. Although not all Australians are as environmental friendly by controlling the amount of food intake, there are not many serious case of food exploitation from excessively eating and food binging as seen from the lower rates of food related diseases like heart attack and obesity.

Therefore, going back to the importance of promoting positive environmental awareness is what most states should do for a more sustainable environment. Be it for food, nature and other aspects of sustainability, adequate awareness and concern is the key to sustainability on the human side.