Though diabetes and global warming may not seem to be related, they are basically caused by the same things.

No convinced? Here are 7 ways that they are intimately related.

#1 A More-is-Better Mentality

Western cultures like to have things. More clothes, more toys, more money, more electronics, more access, and more food. This mentality is so pervasive that it has completely permeated entire societies to the point of overconsumption, no matter the good. More food can lead to diabetes just like more fillintheblankhere can lead to more pollution.

#2 Increased Meat Consumption

Americans, in particular, love their meats. Looking at it from an evolutionary perspective this is actually not necessary for good health. in fact, tons of research points to this exact point, saying that meat is pretty detrimental to health.

Meat is also a major cause of climate change as well. The amount of pollution that comes from cows, themselves, is pretty alarming. Not to mention the pollution that comes from the factories that “processes” and transports the meat. On top of that, one of the main causes of deforestation (which is, coincidentally, a major cause of climate change) is the farming and meat industry.

#3 Super Lazy Lifestyles

People are naturally lazy. If we look back through human history, this makes sense. We didn’t know when we’d get our next meal or how much we’d get. So it was best to conserve our energy. That survival instinct has leaked into our current lifestyles to the point where we refuse to walk anywhere if we could potentially drive. More driving is more pollution and a whole lot less exercise.

#4 Tech Boom

We are absolutely obsessed with technology. As a result, machines pretty much run our lives. The problem? Machines dirty up the air and make us even less likely to get up and move around.

#5 Convenience is King

Industrialized countries like to cut out the middle man and make things as convenient as possible. Believe me, I get it. Amazon Prime is amazing. The problem? We move less and deliver goods more. Instead of walking to the farmer’s market to buy fruits and vegetables, we sit at home and wait for the delivery guy to bring us our takeout.

#6 Incredible Mobility 

While we are being supremely lazy, we are also traveling a whole lot more. Planes, trains, and cars are giving us access to virtually every corner of the world. By being able to travel more, we are doing serious damage to the climate. We are also doing serious damage to our bodies, and we chuck any semblance of healthy eating out the window when we travel.

#7 Capitalism

There, I said it: capitalism isn’t all sunshine and flowers. Instead, the drive to earn more money has us producing goods no matter the cost to our health or the environment. Beautiful forests and clean air are replaced by factories and efficient transportation. Freedom to enjoy the outdoors is replaced by a 50-hour work week. I love money, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves: at what cost are we getting it?