Our choices in food matter. This looks like an obvious statement “Choosing the burger instead of vegetable salad will impact your health” but this choice has wider implications. We may not be knowing, but our choices in food are a key contributor to the change in climate.
The Question comes to our mind, how does our food choices affect climate change? Every action of ours has a carbon footprint (mark made by man, which is represented by the amount of greenhouse gases which are released into the atmosphere. These accumulated gases are responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere resulting in global warming.
It goes without saying that shifting from animal based food to a plant based diet will have a positive effect. As per studies, emissions from the food, generated by various processes involved in preparing it can be reduced by 61% to 73% by making changes in the dietary habits.
It’s important for us to make our food choices keeping some climate friendly general tips in mind. The good news is that climate friendly diet is also good for us.
1. Eat less meat: If you feel that giving up meat is difficult then limit the consumption of meat which is carbon intensive, like beef. Make sure that meat is organic and free of antibiotics or hormones.
2. Eat less dairy: You can switch to alternatives which are plant based, some of the options include pea, hemp, coconut etc.
3. Eat Seasonally: The process involved in the production, packaging and distribution of food that is not seasonal, causes increase in emission. Adding seasonal food to our diet will help to reduce emission and its harmful effects.
4. Shop Sustainably: Simply walking to the store is going to reduce the carbon footprint of the food. Also, we should keep in mind to bring our reusable bags and containers.
5.Purchase less packaged and processed food: The production of packaged and overly processed food is more energy intensive and lots of unnecessary waste is produced. Instead, we can enjoy meals from whole and natural ingredients. Apart from being healthier it also promotes good health.
6. Try to grow food at home: Idea of growing our own edible garden is a perfect way to minimise food’s carbon footprint. This is going to minimise packaging and processing and we can also control the way in which garden grows.
7. It’s more than food choices: Now that we have understood the importance of environmentally friendly food choices, we should always remember to dispose any type of waste material in a responsible manner. Huge waste generated from the food is the main contributor to the climate change. There are number of ways in which waste can be reduced like planning for a meal in advanced, proper waste, utilising the leftovers.
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