The Effect of Food on Climate Change

Written by Kaho Ishihara

Do eating habits impact the environment and climate change?

Yes! What we eat and how it is produced significantly impacts our environment and can contribute to climate change. In fact, about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food. Some examples include methane from cattle, nitrous oxide from fertilizers, and carbon dioxide from deforestation to develop agricultural land. These emissions make our diet an important factor in climate change.

What foods emit the most greenhouse gas?

Beef is known to be the largest contributor to the production of greenhouse gas due to its methane emissions and the requirement of vast amounts of land. Beef alone produces 70.6 kg of greenhouse gas per kilogram. Other common foods with high emissions include lamb, shellfish, cheese, fish, and pork. On the other hand, plant-based foods are far healthier to the environment: tomatoes emit 2.09 kg per kilogram, nuts produce 0.43 kg, etc. This data clearly shows how our dietary choices can significantly drive or minimize environmental impacts.

What can we do to help mitigate the effects?

Shifting towards a plant-based diet is one of many strategies to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is because a plant-based diet consists of foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, which generally require less energy than animal-based foods such as meat and eggs. Reducing meat consumption or relying on alternative proteins are great lower-emission options. However, it is important to note that animal products are a vital food source in certain rural areas. Therefore, a flexible approach is not to completely eliminate meat, but to reduce its consumption, as it can still make a difference. Alternatives such as plant-based meat and lab-grown meat are also great low-emission options.

Another strategy is to mitigate food waste. Around 30 to 40% of food produced is wasted in the United States, and when it decomposes, it releases methane. Simple, daily actions such as buying only what we need, donating surplus, and composting waste are what we can start with. For example, compost manure aerobically minimizes methane production.

Conclusion

Eating habits deeply influence climate change, and our current habits are harming the environment. However, the good news is that we can start with small individual actions to collectively lower greenhouse gas emissions. By spreading awareness, we can each help protect our planet.