Carbon 'FOODprint'

The food we eat also has a climate impact and understanding the resources that go into producing our meals can help us make better choices.

Simple changes can reduce our carbon footprint and our choice of food can actually help slow climate change.

Factors including it's place in the food chain, energy used in production, packaging and transportation from production to the table determine the climate impact of food. Reducing food wastage, eating local and seasonal and growing your own fruits and vegetables also reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

Animal agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land use and covers over 30 per cent of the land surface on earth. The volume of emission of greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide from livestock accounts for nearly 18% of greenhouse gases.

Red meat production requires 11 times more water and produces 5 times more emissions than poultry. Beef is the number one consumer of freshwater in the world and a pound requires over 5,000 gallons of water to produce.

The single most effective action one can take to combat climate change is to stop eating meat.  Even limiting meat consumption to few times a week can make a significant difference.

A recent comparative study of various diets has established that following a vegan diet is best for planetary and human health. It was estimated that a vegetarian diet would cut emissions from food by 63 percent and a vegan diet by a whopping 70 percent.

Other studies have debunked the myth that animal protein alone can provide for growth and repair of the human body. Some plant proteins such as pea protein have 85 per cent protein content, similar to that of animal sources, and adequately provides for the requirements of a vegan diet.

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Taxonomy

• Water Footprint
• Ecosystem Management
• Ecosystem Management
• Climate Change
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Impact
• Environmental Impact
• Food & Beverage
• Organic Food