Kiki Bekkum

I think people in rich countries eat more meat as they have the availability to do so. Per gram it takes more to raise and harvest livestock than it does to raise and harvest vegetables. Historically, meat was a favored protein because it showed a person's status, wealth, and is a high energy food source. Eating more meat affects our planet as it takes more water to raise livestock than it does to raise fruits and vegetables. The methane cows produce also  contributes greatly to our greenhouse gases. By eating less meat and using other plant-based protein sources, we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and be more conscious about our role on Earth.  

Connecting with others helps my mental health as I am a people person. I like to talk about how I'm feeling so I can overcome difficult situations, and I love to be there for people when they need help overcoming their own tough situations. By connecting with people, I feel like I am being useful for them and can make an impact on their lives, no matter how small. I'm glad to be in virtual contact with friends even though we are in quarantine, some people don't have that luxury. Though distance from them is a struggle, I still feel that we are connected no matter how far apart we are.