“Food Choices and Climate Change,” a talk at the Flagstaff Public Library

Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance (NAZCCA) will host a talk by Mr. Jon Thompson, showing that climate change is most heavily influenced by our global food system and how individuals’ everyday food choices can be a solution. The presentation will be held at the Flagstaff Public Library, Saturday February 16, at 2:00pm, and is open and free to the public. It will be followed by an optional planet-friendly meal at Pizza Patio at a significant discount for talk attendees. Mr. Thompson, recent Sedona City Council member and environmental advocate, will present key scientific evidence in layman's language about the negative impact of the Standard American Diet on climate change, identify food choices that reduce that impact, discuss the real and imagined barriers to changing our diets, and provide practical tips and resources for those ready to consider switching to more planet-friendly foods. “The Standard American Diet is now a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions and global environmental destruction, and a change in our diets is crucial to curbing climate-driven disasters,” said Rolf vom Dorp of the NAZCCA. “We are excited to help communicate the latest in scientific findings to the public, and more importantly, to provide people with a realistic roadmap for shifting their daily habits to make a real difference in limiting climate change.” Mr. Thompson is a former manager at several high-tech Silicon Valley companies like Apple Computer, Silicon Graphics, and IBM. Since retiring in 2007, he served a four-year term on the Sedona City Council and has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations committed to helping solve the problem of climate change and related environmental challenges, including Healthy World Sedona where he is a Board Member, the Sustainability Alliance, and Keep Sedona Beautiful. “Many people are surprised to know that a single change to a more sustainable diet would eliminate more greenhouse gases than are produced by all the world’s modes of transportation,” said Mr. Thompson. “And the transition from the Standard American Diet to a more planet-healthy diet need not be a daunting concept. Even if it is a step-by-step change, it is the single most impactful thing each individual can do to help solve our urgent environmental crisis.” Following the free presentation and discussion at the Flagstaff Public Library, 300 W. Aspen Ave, those that would like to can make their way to Pizza Patio, 109 E. Phoenix Ave (a 10-minute walk), for a full Earth-friendly meal for $14.95: Impossibly delicious BBQ mockribs served with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and house pineapple kombucha, and with peanut butter double chocolate fudge for dessert. (Gluten-free options also available.)