Foods today count for about 25% of the greenhouse emissions released into the atmosphere, causing the climate to warm up at unprecedented rate. Climate change is the greatest threat of our generations and of the generations to come. Agriculture, fossil fuel combustion and deforestation have proven to be the main causes of the drastic climate change we experience today. These activities emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, that trap the sun’s heat and warm the atmosphere.
Increasingly more people are questioning how sustainable our foods are and it is becoming more common for people to relook their eating habits and the impact food processing has on not only their health, but the environment as well. This is where there concept of plant based eating comes into play. It has been proven that eating a plant based diet reduces the impact agriculture has on climate change and therefore contributes to a sustainable way of eating. Plant-based foods, such as vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts and grains, have less of an impact on the environment than animal products and you do not harm animals. So what else can you do to eat sustainably?
What is sustainable food?
There is no scientific definition for sustainable food, however the term refers to foods that go through minimal processing and are closest to their natural state such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes. By eating sustainably you pay attention to the foods you eat and the processes they go through. This way you reduce your own carbon footprint and reduce waste by reusing resources. Sustainable food covers the entire production chain, i.e. land use, water use, energy consumption, biodiversity, transport, CO2 emissions, packaging material, working conditions, human rights and animal welfare. Here are three tips you can use to eat more sustainably:
Tip #1: Food waste
Food wastage is a major problem. The waste we produce needs to be collected by waste removal companies, the transport they use emits a lot of carbon dioxide. The waste then needs to be processed which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions etc. it’s a vicious cycle. A tip to prevent waste is to buy things that will last for a long time. Consider, for example, a sustainable lunch box, cup, reusable straws, etc. Purchase products that no or less packaging. Here are some tips you can use to reduce waste in your household:
1. Check what you have in stock
2. Make a shopping list (buy local and eat seasonal)
3. Measure the portions you need
4. Look, smell and taste before throwing anything away
5. Store food properly
6. First in, first out
7. Preserve vegetables by preserving, fermenting or pickling them
8. Keep your leftovers in sealable containers
9. Share leftovers
10. Feed leftovers to animals
Tip #2: Organic and Fairtrade
The concept of organic focuses specifically on issues such as soil plant health. Organically produced foods all have a quality mark. This quality mark makes it clear that the product complies with the EU regulations for organic farming. So it is clear where the ingredients are coming from and no chemical pesticides have been used. Fairtrade focuses on improving the trading conditions for small (er) farmers in developing countries so that they can invest in their future.
Tip #3: Eat less or no meat
Meat has such a huge impact on the environment because it requires a lot of land, water and feed to keep livestock. Animal feed also has to be grown and transported again all these things combined cause a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. Eating less meat is therefore better for the environment, prevents animal suffering, saves water, protects the ecosystem and helps improve working conditions.
Conclusion:
The current food system is not sustainable. Meat in particular, but also dairy and cheese have one of the greatest environmental impact. In addition, 20% of the products are wasted. If you want to meet the nutritional needs of all people now and in the future, you have to work on a sustainable food system. In brief: “Improve the world and start with yourself.” Want to learn more about sustainable living? Visit our website mindfulofu.com for endless inspiration.
