Meat consumption and the environment (need title!!!!!!!!)

Emily woke up and quickly chugged a glass of chocolate almond milk. After recycling the empty container, she turned to her wardrobe, the result of years of carefully searching through thrift store racks, and decided on a worn pair of jeans.

Shoving her bag in the basket, she hopped swiftly onto her bike and rode to school.

By lunchtime, hunger hit hard. Examining the Amex menu, the idea of a chicken sandwich was irresistible, the buttery bun, the crispy chicken and its decadent sauce.

Temptation, a tale as old as time. For a split second, all logic and reason is tossed aside for one delicious bite.

It’s a picture-perfect sustainable day, yet the impact of the food we consume on sustainability is often conveniently overlooked.

The way our food is produced, transported, and consumed plays a crucial role in shaping a truly sustainable future. Agriculture has a profound impact on key environmental factors such as land use, freshwater consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Given these factors, it’s not surprising to learn that farming practices “14.5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions” (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations). Would it be possible to link the site or information instead of putting it into parentheses?

Despite these alarming statistics, why is it that food remains one of the most challenging aspects of sustainability to embrace?

There are several possible explanations. Unlike other aspects of sustainability, such as recycling or shopping second hand, food choices are often tied to tradition, identity, and convenience.

President of AUP Green, Clayton Wilson affirms, (remember in journalism no one "affirms" or "shouts" or "cries," they just say) “food is something that’s super ingrained in people’s lives, and it’s invariably linked to happiness, culture, memory, etc. Changing the way that you eat is a big ask for many." 

This sentiment resonates with Emily, who finds that while she tries to limit her meat and dairy intake to just 2-3 days a week, convenience often plays a key role in her choices. “On some busy days, it’s easier to grab a sandwich from the boulangerie or the Amex,” she admits, reflecting how daily routines can influence even the best of intentions.

For many, changing deeply ingrained eating habits goes beyond simple choice; it demands taking concrete actions and changing ingrained routines, which can feel challenging in moments of quick decisions, such as grocery shopping or dining out with friends.

Additionally, giving up meat or dairy can initially feel challenging or as though you’re missing out, whereas, according to Clayton Wilson, other sustainable changes tend to offer more immediate rewards. “Sites like Vinted make online second-hand shopping super easy and fun, and taking the extra step to throw your recycling in the proper bin isn’t too hard! (only add in the ! if she was insanely enthusiastic or she was shouting, if not just a period) Choosing to take the train instead of flying is something that is typically cheaper, though longer, but you see much more of the world.”

Another reason why people may not make the change is a lack of education. Many people are generally unaware of the impacts on our animal agriculture system on the environment. (Add another static?) 

For Emma Isalli, this is true, “I would say it's the part of sustainability least talked about” she continues, (continues? did she speak before?) 

Because there is a lack of awareness around the topic of sustainable eating, AUP Green aims to bridge this gap by offering Farm to Fork workshops where students can “learn to cook plant-based foods with fresh, local ingredients,” according to Wilson. Here you use Clayton's last name, but earlier you used Emily's first name. You have to pick one and use that uniformly throughout the piece (it is more typical to use last names but you can also use first, up to you)

While many AUP students are mindful of sustainability in areas like transportation and fashion, the impact of food choices remains one of the most overlooked aspects of a sustainable lifestyle. The deep connections between food, culture, and convenience make it difficult to break long-standing habits, as well as a lack of education. Yet until there is a collective readiness to make tangible changes, indeed food will remain one of the most challenging aspects of sustainability to fully embrace.

I like your ending! The article overall is good, just needs some fine tuning. It also needs IMAGES! If you do not know what to photograph, please email Molly Eklund, the Freelance Photo Director at a111984@aup.edu 

Some ideas for images could include:

• Meat section at the grocery store

• AMEX menu

• A person you interviewed

• Sustainable packaging at a grocery store vs. unsustainable packaging