When you are making your next food choice, besides considering the cost and the potential health impact, you may want to start chewing over one more factor — the environmental cost to Mother Nature.
Unknown to many people, the food that we eat every day has a huge impact on our planet. Collectively, the production, processing, packaging and transportation of food to feed the whole world contribute nearly one-third of all greenhouse gases. This alarming quantity is even more than the share attributed to transportation or mining activities alone.
Before you dismiss this post as another “save-the-world” admonishment, I ask that you take a moment to look at some revealing and shocking facts about the food you eat daily:
Facts About the Food We Eat
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Animal farm or methane factory? Ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep and goats, release large amounts of methane gas over their lifetime, either through burping or excretion. Overall, the livestock sector is responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the food system (referring to the growing, processing and transporting of food) is responsible for approximately 33%.
What’s the big deal? Methane is twenty times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in causing global warming. Some scientists believe that it is the culprit responsible for previous catastrophic climate changes that wiped out 95% of marine species and 70% of land species.
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The throw-away generation. I remember when I was young, I used to get scoldings from my granny if there was any remaining food left in my bowl, even though it may only be a few grains of rice. She’d tirelessly recount for the umpteenth time the amount of efforts required to bring about this bowl of rice in front of me. But now, times have definitely changed. As our society becomes more affluent, wastage has also escalated. We throw things away mindlessly and indiscriminately. Every day, millions and millions of tons of food are produced and wasted worldwide. A 2009 United Nations report, The Environmental Food Crisis, found that more than half of the food produced globally is wasted, lost, or discarded due to inefficiency in the human-managed food chain.
What’s the big deal? When food is wasted, not only are we throwing away money, but more importantly, we are also indirectly gassing ourselves with methane in the production of these unconsumed food. Throwaway food also ended up in landfills which also release significant quantities of greenhouse gases into our environment. And we didn’t even talk about the ethical issue of throwing away food when millions of people in other parts of the world are going hungry every day.
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The insatiable appetite for fresh, exotic foods.The worldwide demands for fresh, exotic meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables have caused at least a ten-fold increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to the transportation of highly perishable foods by air.
What’s the big deal? Not only are air-flown foods detrimental to your bank account, they also exert a tremendous pressure on our environment due to the way they are being transported. Moreover, the fishing industry also uses a huge amount of energy to catch or to rear species, not to mention the irreversible damages they have done on the marine ecosystems.
Although fruits and vegetables are lower carbon food than animal products, transporting them by air would have reduced their environmental benefits. In addition, to ensure all-year-round production of otherwise seasonal crops, farmers have resorted to growing fruits and vegetables in hothouses, which are powered by fossil fuels that emit more heat-trapping gases than air-freighting the produce.
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Convenience or extinction? The use of disposable cups, food containers and packaging abounds despite years of public education about global warming, recycling and waste reduction. Recycling programs in many countries are also non-existent, or at best, half-hearted. Even supposedly eco-friendly packaging can be damaging to the environment because they also emit methane during decomposition.
What’s the big deal? Organic matter in landfills is one of the major contributors of methane gas. Unwanted plastics and electronics also leach a host of toxic chemicals to the ground, polluting our soil and water.
The combat against climate change is not limited to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by cars, buildings, and your everyday energy use. The wise and responsible food choices you make every day play an even more significant role in reducing the quantities of greenhouse gases that are harming this planet and ultimately, you and me. So, what can you do to reduce your carbon impact?
How to Make Eco-Friendly Food Choices
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Eat less red meats, especially beef, and their by-products. Here’s another good reason to give beef and other red meats a miss at the dining table. Cow is the worse methane contributor among all ruminant animals because of its size. But, don’t just stop at beef. Reduce your consumption of all red meats and related products such as cheese to once or twice a week. Or switch to meats that have lower carbon footprint such as pork and chicken. Do this not just for the sake of this planet, but also for the sake of your health.
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Eat regional and in-season foods. Not only do in-season and regional foods cost less due to shorter travel distance, they are also more friendly to the environment. Generally, seasonal crops also taste better and are more nutritious than their year-round twins that are grown in hothouses or greenhouses.
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Never waste food. Whether you are eating at home or in a restaurant, never waste food. Pack unconsumed food for the next day. Don’t buy more than what you and your family can possibly finish. If you are responsible for a function that requires you to serve food, always order 20% to 30% less than the number of anticipated guests to prevent food wastage.
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Reduce the use of disposable containers and packaging. Packaging has its purpose and use, but there are still too much unnecessary use of disposable containers (such as foam cups and food containers). By making minor changes in your lifestyle, you can reduce the amount of unnecessary waste you produced. Start by bringing your own mug, cutlery and lunchbox to work. Carry your own bag for grocery shopping and don’t buy bottled drink or water.
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Avoid highly processed and packaged foods. Junk food and snacks, which are usually dressed in attractive and glossy packaging, are not just devoid of nutrition, they are also a major energy-drainer by guzzling lots of energy to process, package and ship. If you feel the urge to snack, do yourself a favor by grabbing a handful of seeds, nuts or berries. Your body will thank you for the extra dose of natural antioxidants.
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Spread the word. Forward this post to your family members, friends and colleagues so that they are more aware of the impact of their everyday food choices on our planet. Set an exemplary example for your young children so that they may grow up to become a more environmentally conscious adults.
