Can changing your diet fight climate change?

We all know that climate change is a serious issue that needs to be addressed urgently. If we want to keep global warming under 1.5 ºC everyone has to help out. Most people think that the only way to fight climate change is through reducing greenhouse gas emissions released by transport. However, the food we eat has a tremendous impact on the environment. In fact, it is estimated that the global food system is responsible for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the United Nations, (un.org).

The main portion of the total greenhouse gas emissions from food comes from animal products such as meat, dairy, etc. Producing animal-based products requires vast amounts of land, water, and energy compared to plant-based products. This means that reducing the number of animal products we consume can have a significant impact on the environment. Researchers at the University of Oxford concluded that eating a plant-based diet could reduce individual carbon footprints by 73%. This is because plant-based foods require fewer resources to produce, than animal-based products, leading to fewer emissions. However, I don't think we should completely stop eating meat and other animal products since it contains a lot of nutrients and protein that are essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Another way to help fight climate change by changing your diet is to reduce your food waste. According to the United Nations, an estimated one-third of the food produced in the world is wasted. This is a huge waste of resources and energy. By reducing food waste, we can help to reduce the amount of energy and resources needed to produce food which in turn leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which helps fight climate change.

Finally, it is important to consider where your food is coming from. Buying local food, or food that is grown in your local area, is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight climate change. Buying local food requires less energy to produce and transport, and it can help to support local farmers and businesses. This is unfortunately a lot more expensive but it is worth it considering the benefits to our environment and planet.

To sum it all up, changing our diets can be an incredibly effective way to fight climate change. By reducing our consumption of animal-based products and increasing our intake of plant-based foods, we can reduce our carbon footprints, save resources, and improve our health. Two other amazing ways you can reduce your carbon footprint is by reducing food waste and buying more locally produced food.