Environmental Awareness

In my last semester as a Senior I took a number of writing infused environmental courses not knowing that it would be one of the best decisions I had ever made.

In my Environmental Journalism course, one of the first books we read was “Food Fight” by Mckay Jenkins.

This book changed my life.

Upon reading I learned the history behind the American diet and why we eat so poorly. Mckay Jenkins, in his book, did such a phenomenal job explaining how developments since World War II not only changed the aesthetic of our country but also its dietary structure.

In the wake of World War II, we decided to adopt a highway system very similar to that which we saw in Germany. This allowed for quick distribution of military forces and a better system that allowed us to protect ourselves. This system however disintegrated a large number of farms in the country and then paved the way for suburbia, which decimated them even further.

With farms being replaced by highways and suburbs, industrial agriculture was born. GMO’s or genetically modified organism were created. With profit and mass production replacing organic and traditional methods, health became a concern.

Jenkin explores the realms of both traditional means and industrial. He talks to numerous scientists and farmers throughout the world. He presents the entire debate of GMO’s and monoculture vs organic practices and simply educates his readers and allows them to decide.

Throughout the semester both this book, and many others like it have helped to open my eyes on the problems plaguing the world. It has allowed me to see the immediacy of the problems and the dire need for implementation and action.

Who ever thought that choosing courses in your last semester of college could be so important?