Junk Food Essay

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is believed to be unhealthy and does not contribute nutritionally to the human body (Smith 2000). Despite this, kids and adolescents nowadays enjoy the consumption of junk food. According to School News (2005), the profits of a high school canteen were at a high of $13000 in the year 2001 when their sales consisted majorly of junk food. This obviously depicts the younger generation’s propensity to consume junk food despite it being unhealthy. Thus, I stand with the notion of banning the sale of junk food in school canteens as it may lead to obesity, trigger behavioural problems and instigate litter problems.

Overconsumption of junk food may lead to obesity. It cannot be denied that consumption of junk food is an unhealthy habit especially if it is not taken in moderation (Smith 2005). Nowadays, junk food is consumed excessively by the younger generation. This is due to the wide variety of flavours made available by numerous junk food brands. As so, the students are unable to contain themselves and binge on junk food which brings about the risk of obesity. Many consumers are ignorant to the high levels of chemical additives, artificial flavouring, colouring, preservatives and excessive sugar available in junk food which is used to enhance the taste and prolong its shelf life. Consumption of these additives has the potential to trigger obesity among youngsters (Smith 2005).

In addition, junk food packaging contributes to litter problems in the society (The Food Show 2005). Littering is a societal eyesore to the community. Junk food are currently packed in trendy packaging to attract buyers but most of the time these packaging are not disposed of responsibly and end up everywhere else other than in a rubbish bin. As a result, litter increments the costs of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in schools (Smith 2005). If this littering habit is not restrained, it will soon be second nature to the students.

On another note, consumption of junk food also causes a decline in student behaviour. According to The Food Show (2005), teachers have observed ameliorated student behaviour when sales of junk food in school canteens were done away with. Research has proven that numerous chemical additives in junk food cause hyperactivity and a lapse in concentration (Smith 2005). This would lead to further more severe problems such as a dip in academic capability and a decrease in athleticism.

As a conclusion, I strongly believe that banning the sales of junk food in school canteens would prove to be beneficial. Lack of easy access to junk food will help students restrain from overconsumption of junk food and thus, promotes moderation in eating. Banning junk food in schools may be seem harsh and downright extreme but I believe that sometimes in life, we have to be cruel to be kind.

Text Production Draft #3 - finale~

Global warming is a matter of great concern that is often overlooked in light of other problems that appear to be more crucial. There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding the theory of global warming with two extremist groups; the deniers who deny the existence of climate change and the alarmists who strongly believe Earth is going in a downward spiral (Carter 2008). Many of us do not know the vast ramifications of global warming and its direct correlations to climate change. Thus, it is essential for us, the citizens of our planet to scrutinize and ascertain the potential effects global warming can bring unto Mother Earth and how they can be corrected.

One discernible effect of global warming could be significant rise in sea levels. Temperature rises cause the ocean water to expand which takes up more volume (Woodford 2006). It has also been argued that in the future, higher frequency of heat waves may occur, possibly causing in sea level rises and the immersion of low-lying nations (Riebeek 2007). Arctic and Antarctic glaciers are melting rapidly, draining water into the oceans and raising concerns about future large scale sea-level rises (Woodford 2006). Retreating glaciers in areas like the Kilimanjoro may cease to exist within a decade. Due to this, 40 percent of the world’s population is predicted to face severe water shortages within five decades (An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warning 2007).

In addition, it is likely that global warming will exacerbate erratic weather patterns on Mother Earth (Woodford 2006). Disturbed weather patterns beyond scientists’ ability to prognosticate may occur and translates to increased frequency of storms and hurricanes, severe floods and droughts, freak tidal waves and irregular seasonal periods. According to the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warning (2007), a replicated account of such erratic weather behaviour would be Hurricane Katrina in 2006, which devastated the entire New Orleans and was recorded as the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.

Besides that, global warming may also upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem. As global warming aggrandizes, significant climate change occurs and this suppresses animals’ well-being. The animals may not be able to adapt quickly to this extreme weather change and thus, some may face extinction (Woodford 2006). Plant species are also at risk of extinction as the climate changes raises the surrounding temperatures. This deprives the plants of water needed to survive and increases the chances of wildfire (Riebeek 2007).

It is utmost essential to solve global warming and the best method is to trim down on our carbon footprint. It is recommended that we use energy saving fluorescent lamps, utilise renewable energy, and practise fuel economical approaches when behind the wheel (Woodford 2006). It should also be stressed that governmental authorities play their part in acting against global warming. Nations should act with the bigger picture in mind; the environment. The United States has yet to sign the Kyoto Protocol, shielding themselves with China and India’s refusal to sign the climate change treaty. Their justification is that signing a climate change treaty will put themselves at an economic disadvantage due to decreased economic growth (Woodford 2006). Nations should change their mindset before it is too late.

Mother Earth is crying out loud that she is sick, and the symptoms are obvious; climate change. We cannot deny that it is essential for us, the citizens of our planet to wake up and realize the pitfalls of global warming before it is too late and strive to apprehend global warming. Future generations may well have occasion to ask themselves, "What were our parents thinking? Why didn't they wake up when they had a chance?"We have to hear that question from them, now (An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warning 2007).