A New Dawn for American Climate Control

    

     It is difficult for people to conceptualize the magnitude of climate injustice; it’s even more difficult to assess how to dismantle the systems perpetuating it. I think the government should address economy-wide and market-based climate injustice. For example, fast-food culture is a problem. The other day, I watched a new Netflix release: History 101 (I highly recommend). The show’s first episode tackled the fast-food industry in relation to climate problems. Here’s what I learned. Greenhouse gasses (methane and Carbon dioxide especially) trap the earth’s heat. One of the largest producers of methane is cowherds and the meat industry (History 101). Millions of burgers require millions of cows. According to the NCBA, there are 913,246 total cattle operations in the U.S. and 204,529 fast-food restaurants in the U.S. alone (Fast Food Restaurants in the US - Number of Businesses 2001–2026) (Beef Industry Overview). This is not the only climate-change inducing factor. Fast food restaurants produce an insane amount of plastic. Just recently Mcdonald's phased out their styrofoam packaging (History 101). However, this is not enough. There is still too much plastic and water waste from restaurants. The call to action is more regulations (under the Biden-Harris administration). There should be policies requiring all fast-food chain restaurants to measure their Greenhouse Gas Emissions on public record. Next, Businesses should phase out all non-recyclable materials like (black plastic lids on coffee cups) and increase reliance on renewable energies for production. Also, fresh foods should not be priced so high. Fast-food is close, easy, and cheap for a lot of families which is why the industry is booming. Lastly, there needs to be increased government funding in agriculture so farmers can implement carbon farming to offset emissions and to enrich their soil (increased fresh food production →  lower prices, and higher availability).

    The federal approach should include policy changes and international unions as well. I would love to see the Green New Deal resolution passed within the next year because this would open jobs in green industries, which would be good for the economy! It is important to acknowledge that Biden has already rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement and has canceled the Keystone XL pipeline (which would have increased carbon pollution). This is a milestone for the U.S. but the work is not over. Implementing lasting policies within the next four years are critical. 

    We rely on the Federal government to make the greatest strides in climate control, as we should. The people being directly affected by climate injustice should not be the only ones fighting. However, community-wide change is necessary in dismantling the climate crisis. Children must be educated about climate change and renewable options. POC must be included in the conversation. There need to be regulations regarding where toxic waste is managed, increased emphasis on marginalized people’s experience with climate injustice, and state-wide policy change. Community action is most crucial to creating a “collective” mindset. We cannot entirely fix the problem unless everyone is on board.

                                                                                Works Cited:

"Beef Industry Overview." National Cattlemen's Beef Association, 30 May 

2019, www.ncba.org/beefindustrystatistics.aspx#:~:text=913 

%2C246%20total%20cattle%20%26%20calf%20operations,are%20beef%20farms%20and%20ranches. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

"Fast Food Restaurants in the US - Number of Businesses 2001–2026." IBISworld, 29 Oct. 2020, 

www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/fast-food-restaurants-united

states/#:~:text=There%20are%20204%2C529%20Fast%20Food,over%20the%20past%205%20years%3F. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021 .

History 101. Directed by Tristram Shapeero, Netflix, 2020.