This BBC article caught my eye: 1970s lifestyle protects planet. What’s better than living in the old days? Living in the old days and battling climate change at the same time! A new study suggests that people are generally weighing heavier than they did 40 years ago – and that there are more obese people today than there were in the 70s. What has this got to do with climate change? Well, more overweight people translates to more energy required to produce food – in the case of UK, 60 mega tonnes of greenhouse gases more. While the study is specific to the UK, the trend can be easily applied to us in Singapore.

Having been born in the McDonalds generation, I can’t quite say that I’ve lived through the 1970s diet. I remember that we always had a meat or fish dish every day at the dinner table besides out veggies, and I think it may be in part due to meat being more affordable and available while I was growing up. My parents certainly told me about the days a full meal was porridge with some salted vegetables and salted fish.

What’s the key takeback about the 70s and climate change? Staying slim is good for the environment. Back in the 70s, we ate more veggies than meat – perhaps we should get back to a diet of the 70s. Although, after surveying through our ‘food’ tags, you might be wondering why our population isn’t any more obese.

Speaking of keeping fit and slim, does anyone remember the Great Singapore Workout that was introduced in the 90s?

Ah… the good old days. Not only good, but environmentally friendly, too!