write an Essay

From the lectures and the first discussion, we learned that the change in diet to include increasing amounts of meat and marrow (fat) was the fork that diverged humans from our hominid ancestors and played a critical role in the evolutionary success of our species. Today a controversy is emerging between the importance of animal source foods (ASF) in the human diet and its negative impact on the environment. The article “Animal Source Foods: Sustainability Problem or Malnutrition and Sustainability Solution? Perspective Matters” (Links to an external site.) argues that the recommendation to drastically reduce consumption of ASF to improve human health and combat climate change is based on overestimated environmental impact of livestock production and fail to adequately include the experience of marginalized women and children in low- and middle-income countries whose diets regularly lack the necessary nutrients.

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Read the article “Animal Source Foods: Sustainability Problem or Malnutrition and Sustainability Solution? Perspective Matters” by accessing the article via Course Reserves on the Canvas menu. For more information on accessing Course Reserves, please read the Student Guide to Accessing Course Reserves

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STEP 2

Write an argumentative essay discussing the importance of Animal Source Foods (ASF) to combat malnutrition in women and children’s cognitive development in low- and middle-income countries. Also, discuss best strategies to sustainably produce the needed ASF for a growing population. Conclude the essay by presenting your own opinion on this issue. In this essay, you should:

1. Describe why the notion that raising livestock and consuming animal-source food (ASF; milk and dairy products, meat, fish, and eggs) is fundamentally incompatible with sustainable development is flawed.
2. Elaborate on why efforts to achieve sustainable development must include a more nuanced understanding of livestock and consider their important implications on the lives of the poor:
   1. Under-nutrition has a long-term negative impact on the cognitive development of children
   2. The first 1000 days post-conception is a critical time for proper nutrition for the mother and child
   3. The planet’s sustainability must consider nutritionally vulnerable populations, women and children, and the impact that low consumption of ASF has on their lives and futures.
   4. Increasing food security and eliminating hunger globally without livestock would be difficult given its contributions to the livelihood of people living in low- and middle-income countries.
3. Express your opinion with respect to this debate and provide support for your position
4. Follow these guidelines when writing your paper:
   • Your paper should have an introductory paragraph, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
   • Your paper should be written in the third and first person.
   • Your paper will be graded on the proper use of grammar, capitalization, punctuation, quality of writing, etc. See the grading rubric below for more details.

   Follow these guidelines when formatting your paper:

   • Your paper should be double-spaced, with 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins all around.
   • Pages must be numbered in the top right-hand corner.
   • Do not use any templates when writing your paper. Format it manually.
   • Use the Modern Language Association (MLA) Documentation Style for citing references.
   • Submit your paper as a Word file (.doc, .docx). Documents submitted in other programs will not be accepted.

   Please consider the following items related to the academic integrity of your work:

   • Use your own words when writing the paper. Do not copy parts of the article or other materials on the web.
   • Please read over your paper at least once before submitting it.
   • All your online submissions will be checked through Turnitin.
   • All cases of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and a report to Student Conduct.