In my communitie, low-income families and marginalized groups are most affected by environmental degradation. They live near pollution sources like factories or highways and face higher rates of health issues such as asthma and limited access to clean air, water, and green spaces.

One food choice I could make is eating more plant-based meals instead of meat. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves water and land, and helps lessen the demand for factory farming. Even small changes, like having a meatless day each week, can make a meaningful impact.

Our current food systems rely heavily on chemical inputs, monocultures, and industrial farming, which degrade soil, pollute water, and contribute to climate change. These practices threaten long-term food security by depleting natural resources and reducing biodiversity. If we don't shift to more sustainable methods, future generations may face food shortages, environmental crises, and a less resilient planet.

You can incorporate the whole vegetable by saving carrot tops for pesto, using broccoli stems in stir-fries, or roasting potato skins for a crispy snack. Vegetable peels and scraps can also be boiled into a flavorful homemade broth. This not only reduces food waste but adds variety and nutrition to your meals.

I have been using a reusable water bottle and a water filter to drink water for 2 years to cut out using plastic bottles

I believe it to be a harsh reality to what thousands of Americans experience each day. Most of us have little knowledge about what we are putting in our microbiomes and the long term health issues that follow.