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Happy Earth Day, everyone!

We’ve been reminded quite a bit today about being green and caring for our Earth. So here’s my question: Can the Earth continue to care for us?!?

Over the weekend, Edna Parker of Illinois (the oldest known currently-living person) celebrated her 115th birthday. Also recently, Barbara Walters did a special on living to be 150. While this is fascinating and the idea of living past 100 sounds intriguing, when it comes right down to it, how will our world be able to support such an aging population? Here are some issues:

1. As it is, we have a dire nursing shortage. And we all know that living long doesn’t always equal living well. We would need more health care professionals to keep our health in check.

2. Living until 150, the new retirement age would be, oh, say…130. Can you imagine working at the same job for approximately 110 years? Of course not! Furthermore, how would our employers cover our healthcare costs? Would there ever be job turnover? Would a mid-life career change happen at about 80 years of age? Really.

3. Logistically, where would we put everybody? We’d have to develop more land, thereby cutting farming space, so what would we all eat? Where would we get all the water we need? What about car and public transportation emissions? Scary.

These are just a few thoughts that come to mind as researchers conduct study after study to discover the secret to longevity. There are many more issues, of course, and these hardly scratch the surface. But on this Earth Day, they are surely thoughts to consider.

So, what do you think? Would you want to live to 150? Do you think our world would be able to handle us? Chime in…

Post from: Healthbolt

So Healthbolt is going to talk green too. Green health that is.

Here’s our common sense tips to greener health…

Sleep more - not only is sleep good for your health, it’s also good for the environment. When you sleep, your energy consumption is significantly reduced.

Become a locavore – eating lots of fruit and vegetables will keep us healthy. Buying your fruit and vegetables locally will keep the planet healthy.

Cycle or walk to work – get fit and reduce vehicle emissions at the same time. Sounds like a win/win situation.

And here’s what others are saying about green health…

Treehugger suggests that you can Save Money – and Your Health – by Going Green.

Livesmarter offers 30 Environmentally Friendly (and effective) Alternatives to Traditional Medicines and Procedures.

And to add a little spice to your green reading, here’s a MSNBC report that looks at When sex toys turn green – for health, that is.

Got any green health tips to share?

Post from: Healthbolt