Richard A. Oppenlander

Author of “Comfortably Unaware: Global Depletion and Food Choice Responsibility”, Dr. Oppenlander is a sustainability and wellness advocate, writer, and speaker committed to improving the health of our planet. Dr. Oppenlander brings an eclectic combination of experiences regarding this topic spanning the past 40 years.

Since the early 1970’s, Dr. Oppenlander has studied extensively the effect our food choices have on our health and the immense impact those choices have on our environment. He is president and founder of an organic vegan food production and education business, as well as the founder of the non-profit Inspire Awareness Now. Dr. Oppenlander has delivered hundred of lectures, presentations, and open discussions on the topic of food choice responsibility.

Dr. Oppenlander has been a keynote speaker for several conferences and festivals. Dr. Oppenlander has presented lectures and workshops at numerous college/universities and corporations. He has been a featured guest appearing on radio shows, and within newspaper and magazine articles. With his book, “Comfortably Unaware” as well as with his presentations, Dr. Oppenlander addresses the fact that our current choices of foods are causing Global Depletion, specifically the loss of our land, water, air/atmosphere, food supply, biodiversity, energy resources, and our own health.

In compelling fashion, he reveals serious inefficiencies and unsustainable practices in our current food production systems and explores unique solutions. Along the way, Dr. Oppenlander challenges audiences with new insights regarding how this has occurred – exposing our cultural, social, educational, governmental, and even media influences. Although portions of this important topic are being addressed by one or two other authors, Oppenlander presents an unapologetic and comprehensive view with new perspectives and the disclosure of information upon which many authors are unwilling to tread.

Dr. Oppenlander's main objective within both his writing and speaking is to raise the level of awareness and accuracy of information as it pertains to the critical topic of a plant-based diet being the best and most sustainable option for our bodies, the animals and the earth. Food choice is rarely positioned within the sustainability conversation, and often negligibly or wrongfully discussed in information regarding our health. Oppenlander lectures around the country for the purpose of repositioning food choice as a critical component within the campaign for a more sustainable and healthy planet, and for those who inhabit it.