In Britain, we are constantly being reminded of how much we like to indulge. Experts are already predicting that most of us will be 'obese' in the next ten years. Hearing people say things like this is alarming so some take drastic measures to either lose the fat they have or maintain their 'ideal' physique. In recent years, dieticians have come up with cooky ideas which help people achieve their physical aim. For example, we have the Atkins Diet where people opt for eating lots of meat and very little carbohydrates. One diet which has caused a stir, particularly this year, is the 5-2 diet where you eat the 'normal' requirement of food (2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men) for five days in a week while for the other two days, cut the calorie intake to a quarter of the normal level (500 calories for women and 600 for men).
We take our bodies seriously, more now than ever before due to media pressure - glossy magazines showcase 'inspirational' weight-loss stories while television channels are constantly broadcasting food programmes in addition to body image-centric shows like 'Britain's Biggest Loser' and 'America's Next Top Model'. The body is our temple and we must take care of it because we if we don't, then we will essentially destruct.
However, it is argued that dieting can prove to be useless. If you follow one strict regime and lost many pounds, then instantly start another diet, all of a sudden all your hard work may have gone to waste. It's not only frustrating but it can have a negative impact on your internal organs. The lung's function could be tested, heart becomes fatigued and your respiratory system left in a spin. Not enough people are warned that the effects of dieting can be fatal. But the same can be said to those who cross a quiet road without looking right, then left, then right again.
The point I'm making is that some of us go extra lengths to look good rather than feel good. So if we take drastic measures to looking good, why can't we go that further mile to turn our televisions off from the mains rather than on standby? Why can't we all have our lofts insulated? We're told doing these things will benefit the environment and therefore create a better living for our future generations.
The environment is a big issue in modern society. The threat of global warming is a major cause for concern. We have been warned that the ice caps in North and South Poles are melting meaning coasts across the world will be underwater by the next century. Putting this into perspective, should predictions be correct, millions of lives will be at risk. The globe will reach crisis-point.
World leaders take the environment very seriously. They are willing to spend billions, almost trillions on developing renewable energies. They erect wind turbines, build nuclear power stations that would heat homes the green way. Governments spend millions on advertising campaigns informing people to do their bit and wash their clothes at 15 degrees rather than 30-40, cycle to work rather than take your car, and replace single glazing windows for double to keep the heat in. Putting thing like that sounds so easy and some of us are doing the things I have mentioned. However, we have this constant voice in our minds telling us we're not doing enough and therefore, the world is coming to an end.
I admire the world leaders' vision and I do believe that most of them are in agreement that our attitudes have to change when it comes to the threat of global warming. But in order for their billions to be money well spent, they need everyone to cooperate. They need everyone to do the same thing and play a significant part in protecting the environment. To get everyone - or at least the vast majority of people to change their lifestyle dramatically - is highly ambitious, yet potentially dangerous.
There are so many of us in the Western world who indulge and for us to be asked to diet environmentally in almost an extreme way, we could be doing the world greater damage. We want the luxury but we're now told to have a 'new' luxury which, although it statistically benefits us and our future generations, it cannot be proven unless we all speak the same volume when it comes to the environment. Actions speak louder than words and it's difficult for that to happen. Not all of us diet, and not all of us are green-minded, and as we have freedom and a mind of our own, we choose not to diet or turn 'green'. Not many embrace wind power, some may prefer to use coal, but it is impossible for politicians to single-handedly prevent water levels from rising.
I always like to do my bit for protecting the environment but if we're all going to change our lifestyle, we are simply delaying the damaging effect of global warming. Whatever happens, the climate will always change - and not even wind turbines could break the mould.
We take our bodies seriously, more now than ever before due to media pressure - glossy magazines showcase 'inspirational' weight-loss stories while television channels are constantly broadcasting food programmes in addition to body image-centric shows like 'Britain's Biggest Loser' and 'America's Next Top Model'. The body is our temple and we must take care of it because we if we don't, then we will essentially destruct.
However, it is argued that dieting can prove to be useless. If you follow one strict regime and lost many pounds, then instantly start another diet, all of a sudden all your hard work may have gone to waste. It's not only frustrating but it can have a negative impact on your internal organs. The lung's function could be tested, heart becomes fatigued and your respiratory system left in a spin. Not enough people are warned that the effects of dieting can be fatal. But the same can be said to those who cross a quiet road without looking right, then left, then right again.
The point I'm making is that some of us go extra lengths to look good rather than feel good. So if we take drastic measures to looking good, why can't we go that further mile to turn our televisions off from the mains rather than on standby? Why can't we all have our lofts insulated? We're told doing these things will benefit the environment and therefore create a better living for our future generations.
The environment is a big issue in modern society. The threat of global warming is a major cause for concern. We have been warned that the ice caps in North and South Poles are melting meaning coasts across the world will be underwater by the next century. Putting this into perspective, should predictions be correct, millions of lives will be at risk. The globe will reach crisis-point.
World leaders take the environment very seriously. They are willing to spend billions, almost trillions on developing renewable energies. They erect wind turbines, build nuclear power stations that would heat homes the green way. Governments spend millions on advertising campaigns informing people to do their bit and wash their clothes at 15 degrees rather than 30-40, cycle to work rather than take your car, and replace single glazing windows for double to keep the heat in. Putting thing like that sounds so easy and some of us are doing the things I have mentioned. However, we have this constant voice in our minds telling us we're not doing enough and therefore, the world is coming to an end.
I admire the world leaders' vision and I do believe that most of them are in agreement that our attitudes have to change when it comes to the threat of global warming. But in order for their billions to be money well spent, they need everyone to cooperate. They need everyone to do the same thing and play a significant part in protecting the environment. To get everyone - or at least the vast majority of people to change their lifestyle dramatically - is highly ambitious, yet potentially dangerous.
There are so many of us in the Western world who indulge and for us to be asked to diet environmentally in almost an extreme way, we could be doing the world greater damage. We want the luxury but we're now told to have a 'new' luxury which, although it statistically benefits us and our future generations, it cannot be proven unless we all speak the same volume when it comes to the environment. Actions speak louder than words and it's difficult for that to happen. Not all of us diet, and not all of us are green-minded, and as we have freedom and a mind of our own, we choose not to diet or turn 'green'. Not many embrace wind power, some may prefer to use coal, but it is impossible for politicians to single-handedly prevent water levels from rising.
I always like to do my bit for protecting the environment but if we're all going to change our lifestyle, we are simply delaying the damaging effect of global warming. Whatever happens, the climate will always change - and not even wind turbines could break the mould.
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