Hallie Kovacs

I've noticed that a noticeable part of my daily commute has ended up being jaywalking- a lot of crosswalks aren't conveniently placed or simply don't exist. I often have to walk almost a full extra block to cross the street, and then walk half a block backwards to get where I need to be. I've enjoyed the fresh air and the exercise, and it's nice to be able to get around by myself and at my own discretion, but trying not to get hit by a cyclist or some person going over the speed limit in a car so quiet it makes me start to believe there should be a lower noise limit for electronic vehicles even when I'm in a crosswalk isn't usually the high point of my day. I was in a crosswalk just a few days ago and some approaching driver saw me in the street and actually sped up. I would definitely enjoy it if there were more safe, usable crosswalks for pedestrians to make walking places more feasible and safer.

People in wealthier countries can afford to eat more meat largely because, in most of the world, meat is more expensive and less widely-available- it requires a large input of energy, land, and resources to produce. Meats are high in protein and certain minerals and vitamins, but are also naturally high in saturated fats (depending on the meat), and so meat consumption can increase the likeliness of certain heart diseases such as coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease. As mentioned, meat requires a large amount of land and energy to produce, and so animal agriculture is a major source of CO2 emissions and cause of land clearing. The introduction of animal agriculture and the change in availability of dietary nutrients resulting from increased animal agriculture can fundamentally alter the lives, health, environment, and economy of people around the globe.