Leena Watts
The world's food systems are responsible for more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture and land use being the largest contributors. The production, use, and disposal of plastics also contribute to climate change. To combat this, experts recommend a shift towards plant-based diets, which can significantly lower emissions and improve health. This includes increasing the consumption of plant proteins such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and grains, while reducing animal-based foods like meat and dairy, which have some of the largest climate impacts. In addition to dietary changes, reducing food waste is crucial, as food waste contributes to methane and CO2 emissions. Composting leftovers can help reduce the amount of methane and CO2 released by organic waste.
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What You'll Learn
Reduce meat and dairy consumption
Meat and dairy production has a significant impact on climate change. Animal-based foods, especially red meat and dairy, are generally associated with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to a number of factors, including:
- The creation of grasslands for meat production, which often involves deforestation, releases carbon dioxide stored in forests.
- Ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep, emit methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, as they digest grass and plants.
- Cattle waste and chemical fertilizers used on crops for cattle feed emit nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas.
- The livestock sector accounts for a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, with more than 16% of total yearly emissions attributed to livestock.
- Meat and dairy provide just 18% of calories and 37% of protein globally but use 83% of farmland.
Therefore, reducing meat and dairy consumption can be one of the most effective ways to lower your environmental impact. Shifting towards a plant-based diet can promote better health and significantly lower environmental impact compared to the average meat-based diet. Alternative proteins, such as plant-based meat and dairy substitutes, insect-based proteins, and cell-based/cultivated meat, are becoming increasingly popular and can provide a more sustainable source of nutrition.
However, it is important to note that animal products remain a crucial source of food security and nutrition, especially in lower-income countries where diets may lack diversity. Additionally, some vegan foods, such as out-of-season tomatoes or air-freighted asparagus, can have a high carbon footprint, so it is essential to make informed choices when adopting a plant-based diet.
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Eat more plant-based foods
Eating more plant-based foods is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change. This is because meat and dairy products have some of the largest climate impacts of any food group. Animal agriculture is a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions, with cows, pigs, and chickens accounting for more than a third of total methane emissions in the US alone. The production and transportation of meat and dairy also contribute to carbon emissions, and the land required for grazing and feed crops leads to deforestation and the release of stored carbon dioxide.
By contrast, plants are excellent at storing carbon. Healthy soil, which is supported by plant-based agriculture, can reduce emissions and increase resilience to drought and flood. In addition, there are 14,000 edible plant species with excellent nutritional profiles, providing ample opportunity to diversify our diets and protect our food sources from the impacts of climate change.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet can also have significant health benefits. Research shows that meat-eaters are responsible for almost twice as many dietary greenhouse gas emissions per day as vegetarians and about two and a half times as many as vegans. A shift towards plant-based diets could therefore significantly lower emissions and improve health outcomes.
However, it is important to note that dietary choices are complex and influenced by a range of factors, including cultural and regional considerations. While a plant-based diet is a recommended path towards a more sustainable planet, it is not the only way to mitigate climate change through diet. Reducing food waste, for example, by composting leftovers, can also help to reduce emissions and preserve resources for future generations.
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Cut food waste
Reducing food waste is key to fighting climate change. Almost 1 billion tons of food, or about 17% of all food available to consumers worldwide, is thrown away each year. The production, transportation, and disposal of this food contributes to more than 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitting country in the world.
There are many ways to reduce food waste at home. Firstly, be mindful of "sell by" labels. These are guidelines, not mandates, and food is often still good to eat after the date listed. When in doubt, use your senses to check if food has gone bad. Secondly, get creative with leftovers. Websites like Big Oven, Supercook, and MyFridgeFood suggest recipes based on the ingredients you already have, helping you make the most of your food. You can also extend the shelf life of food by freezing it. For example, buying frozen seafood or freezing produce before it goes bad can significantly extend its edibility. Additionally, consider composting your food scraps instead of throwing them away. Composting keeps food waste out of landfills, reducing methane emissions, and creates nutrient-rich soil.
By implementing these simple changes, we can all play a part in reducing food waste and mitigating climate change.
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Improve soil quality
Soil is the second-largest natural carbon sink in the world, surpassed only by the oceans. As such, healthy soils are crucial in the fight against climate change.
Soil quality has a significant impact on crop production and climate change resilience. High-quality cropland soils lead to higher yields and smaller yield reductions in response to warmer climates. Therefore, improving soil quality is essential to reducing the decline in crop production caused by climate change.
To improve soil quality, it is important to increase soil carbon. This can be achieved through various agricultural and land management practices. For example, adopting conservation practices such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and optimized fertilization can help maintain and improve soil health. Additionally, increasing plant diversity aboveground will increase microbial activity and biodiversity underground, enhancing carbon storage.
Another way to improve soil quality is by restoring the soil with natural sources of organics that support beneficial microbes. This can be done through the use of biochar, which provides a habitat for microorganisms and helps distribute moisture in the soil. By enhancing carbon in soils, we can improve soil and water quality, promote biodiversity, and increase drought resistance.
By implementing these practices and recognizing the importance of healthy soils, we can improve soil quality, enhance crop production, and build resilience to climate change.
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Avoid plastic waste
Plastic waste is a major contributor to climate change. A recent analysis found that between 2010 and 2016, the United States generated more plastic waste than any other country in the world. Per capita, this amounts to nearly 300 pounds of plastic trash per person per year.
- When grocery shopping, bring your own containers to avoid using the plastic bags provided by the store. You can use small canvas bags, jars, or other reusable containers.
- Buy in bulk from bulk food stores or general stores that offer paper bags or bring your own reusable produce bags, containers, and glass jars.
- Avoid single-use plastic water bottles. Instead, use a glass or stainless steel bottle.
- Avoid coffee cups made of non-biodegradable materials. Bring your own reusable cup when getting coffee.
- Avoid plastic balloons and use paper-made or natural plant and flower decorations when celebrating.
- Avoid plastic cling wrap. Use reusable containers, silicone bowl toppers, or beeswax wraps to store and pack food.
- Use plastic-free teabags or loose-leaf tea with a tea strainer.
- Switch from shower gel to bars of soap. Choose soap that does not contain palm oil, which contributes to deforestation.
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Frequently asked questions
The food system is a major contributor to climate change, with about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions linked to food. This includes emissions from agriculture and land use, such as rice cultivation, burning crop residues, and the use of fuel on farms. Climate change, in turn, impacts our food systems and health, making it harder to produce food and reducing the nutrients in what we eat.
Shifting towards a plant-based diet and reducing meat and dairy consumption can significantly lower emissions. Meat-eaters are responsible for almost twice the dietary greenhouse gas emissions per day as vegetarians and two-and-a-half times that of vegans. Reducing food waste and composting leftovers can also help reduce methane and CO2 emissions.
Aim for a diet rich in plant-based proteins like beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and grains, while reducing animal-based foods. Diversifying our crops can also help protect our food from the impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts. Additionally, adopting sustainable habits like using reusable bags instead of plastic ones can further reduce your carbon footprint.
