The choices you make about the food you eat has a huge, direct effect on global warming. This may seem surprising, but the foods we choose to eat are one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions which are released into the atmosphere to effect climate change.
The supply and production of food (including land use) accounts for up to 30% of all total greenhouse gas emissions. What’s more, meat and dairy are number one contributors – responsible for 40% of the food-related greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, better known culprits such as road transport account for just 10% of our global carbon footprint, while commercial aviation adds just 1.6% to our global carbon footprint.
The good news is that you can drastically improve both your own health and the health of the planet by reducing the amount of animal and dairy products in your diet, by choosing better quality meat and by increasing the amount of plant-based foods you consume.
According to experts, science is showing us what mother nature has always told us – a plant-powered eating plan that enjoys less, but better quality meat and animal products (such as dairy) is more nutritious, more satisfying, more affordable, and more sustainable for the planet. Reducing our meat intake to three times a week, could prevent many early deaths a year.
One of the simplest ways to eat more sustainably is to follow the plant powered 2/3rd to 1/3rd rule. Ensure that at least 2/3rd of the food on your plate is made up of plant sources (including whole grain carbs, nuts, beans, lentils, fruit, vegetables and plant based alternatives to dairy), whilst the remaining 1/3rd is made up of good quality animal sources: lean, better quality meat, sustainable fish, eggs and low fat dairy.
What we eat matters. The food choices we make every day have a big effect on the environment. Even small changes in what we buy and eat can add up to real environmental benefits, including fewer toxic chemicals, reduced global warming emissions, and preservation of our ocean resources.
Challenge yourself to make one change per week, such as:
- Eat less and better quality meat – have meat-free days
- Plant power meals – fill up your plate with carbs, fruit and vegetables
- Have more beans and lentils – mix them into your meat dishes to reduce the amount of meat you are eating
- Buy sustainably-sourced fish.
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