The Foods We Choose To Eat Can Have a Significant Impact On Climate Change
We all share one thing that can have a significant impact on climate change: the food we eat. Making changes to your eating habits can be done at your own pace and with little financial investment — but it can have a big climate impact! For example, Energize Acton estimates that a household can reduce its carbon emissions by approximately 0.6 tons/year on average by eating less meat and cheese.
An analysis of common protein sources [see Environmental Working Group (EWG)] shows the climate impacts of various foods. (For more metrics, see Our World in Data for details about the “Environmental Impacts of Food Production.” Scroll down for charts on greenhouse gas emissions by food product.) Taking into account production emissions and post-farm emissions (processing, transport, retail, cooking, and waste disposal), it is clear that getting meat to the dinner table generates more greenhouse gases per kilogram than plant-based proteins.
Make the commitment to eating fewer foods with major climate impacts. Incorporate more plant-based dishes into your meals! The chart below, from EWG’s quick tips for reducing your diet’s climate footprint, can guide you to lower-impact foods.
Plant-based proteins, such as beans, nuts, grains, and soy tend to be the most climate friendly of all. There are many great vegetarian recipes available; look for them online, or buy a vegetarian cookbook and try out some recipes. Plant-based prepared foods have exploded in number and variety — look around on your grocery shelves. An easy start might be to make Meatless Monday a family tradition; note that many restaurants have great vegetarian options. Decreasing meat and dairy intake and increasing plant-based choices is entirely doable — and those choices are often more healthful. (For example, significant consumption of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and other plant-based, whole foods can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risks of chronic disease.)
Keep in mind that food consumption is often only a fraction of a person’s total climate impact — there are other factors such as flying, driving, and home energy use to consider. For more on this, see the Calculate Your Carbon Footprint Action. But dietary changes are often one of the quickest, most direct, and healthiest ways to reduce our contributions to climate change.