A warming planet along with increasing populations in some parts of the world + decreasing populations in other parts are influences having an impact on the future of food. We've heard about American farmland being bought by foreign entities, other American farms being too flooded to plant at all this year, record temperatures in India along with dwindling water supply, famine in war-torn Yemen, and innovations like 3D printed food + large scale indoor hydroponics operations. The future of food feels a bit uncertain to say the least.
The world's food systems (including growing, raising livestock, transport, processing + packaging) are responsible for one-fourth of greenhouse gas emissions. What we choose to eat matters in the fight against climate change right now. Here are some ways to eat against climate change right now:
-eat local + seasonal :: grow something, farmer's market, CSA, local produce at the grocery store :: this decreases emissions from transport + supports small, organic, crop-diverse, independent farms + farmers
-less meat (+ cheese) :: the less the better :: 14.5% of global emissions come from livestock production :: 80% of current rainforest deforestation is driven by cattle ranching for beef export
-choose organic :: pesticides threaten the health of farmers, deplete soil health, contaminate water supplies + aren't good for us or our children to eat
-choose unpackaged food :: fresh fruits + vegetables, bulk, returnable/reusable packaging :: plastic stays with us for at least 200 years + breaks down into pieces that end up in the ocean + air :: recycling produces more emissions + requires new plastic to be mixed with the recycled plastic
-bring your own bags :: shopping bags, produce bags, bulk bags :: paper + plastic bags require resources + emissions to create, transport + recycle...and are just unnecessary :)
-buy only what's necessary :: shop with a list + eat it all :: throwing out food wastes not only the food itself, but all the emissions that went into making it + getting it into your hands
-compost :: dumping food in the trash creates methane + doesn't decompose, because it's wrapped up in plastic + buried in the landfill :: compost turns into fertile soil
A few notes for myself:
-make getting to the farmer's market a priority again (ours doesn't operate during the cold months)
-vegetarian + fish on occasion. I don't think about it much at all anymore. I think that's because it's easy now...but I just want to turn up my awareness again. (I'm not worried about things like a little beef broth or eating meat at a friend's house...but don't want to get too lax.)
-decrease cheese
None of this information is new, but I find it good to check in with my actual habits (rather than intentions) periodically. Eating against climate change feels powerful at least in some small, doable way. The small oddities we present are the ones that spark conversation, so I'm not afraid to be a little strange now + then. :) (For me, however, having friends make entirely custom meals for my family is too much to ask.) Even if one argues that eating for the planet isn't all that powerful or influential...it is a healthier way to eat. It is necessary...and not really that hard. :)
Love,
Jane
The world's food systems (including growing, raising livestock, transport, processing + packaging) are responsible for one-fourth of greenhouse gas emissions. What we choose to eat matters in the fight against climate change right now. Here are some ways to eat against climate change right now:
-eat local + seasonal :: grow something, farmer's market, CSA, local produce at the grocery store :: this decreases emissions from transport + supports small, organic, crop-diverse, independent farms + farmers
-less meat (+ cheese) :: the less the better :: 14.5% of global emissions come from livestock production :: 80% of current rainforest deforestation is driven by cattle ranching for beef export
-choose organic :: pesticides threaten the health of farmers, deplete soil health, contaminate water supplies + aren't good for us or our children to eat
-choose unpackaged food :: fresh fruits + vegetables, bulk, returnable/reusable packaging :: plastic stays with us for at least 200 years + breaks down into pieces that end up in the ocean + air :: recycling produces more emissions + requires new plastic to be mixed with the recycled plastic
-bring your own bags :: shopping bags, produce bags, bulk bags :: paper + plastic bags require resources + emissions to create, transport + recycle...and are just unnecessary :)
-buy only what's necessary :: shop with a list + eat it all :: throwing out food wastes not only the food itself, but all the emissions that went into making it + getting it into your hands
-compost :: dumping food in the trash creates methane + doesn't decompose, because it's wrapped up in plastic + buried in the landfill :: compost turns into fertile soil
A few notes for myself:
-make getting to the farmer's market a priority again (ours doesn't operate during the cold months)
-vegetarian + fish on occasion. I don't think about it much at all anymore. I think that's because it's easy now...but I just want to turn up my awareness again. (I'm not worried about things like a little beef broth or eating meat at a friend's house...but don't want to get too lax.)
-decrease cheese
None of this information is new, but I find it good to check in with my actual habits (rather than intentions) periodically. Eating against climate change feels powerful at least in some small, doable way. The small oddities we present are the ones that spark conversation, so I'm not afraid to be a little strange now + then. :) (For me, however, having friends make entirely custom meals for my family is too much to ask.) Even if one argues that eating for the planet isn't all that powerful or influential...it is a healthier way to eat. It is necessary...and not really that hard. :)
Love,
Jane
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