It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless when we hear about the large and significant global problems caused by years of mistreating Mother Earth. But if you want to save the environment, start off by looking at what you put in your mouth. Whatever your diet and whatever the reasons you have for eating the foods you do, you must know that there are clear consequences of what ends up on your plate.
The food recommendations made by many climate scientists align neatly with what health experts always tell us about our diet. ‘The Diet-Climate Connection by scientist David Freudberg claims, what’s good for the planet is good for your body. He says, “It’s not just your mode of transportation. Now your menu matters too.”
Buy fewer packaged and processed foods: Think about all the energy and material resources it requires to process food, create food packaging, fill containers, store them, ship them and stock them in supermarkets! It is therefore important to minimize the processing steps your food goes through. Try to buy fewer packaged foods and get more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead.
A meaty problem: A report from The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization found that the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all the planes, trains and automobiles on earth. And the problem is getting worse! Also, the annual per capita meat consumption in developing countries has doubled since 1980 to 2002. Further predictions are that meat production and consumption will double by 2050, harming the environment even more. It turns out that eating 2.2 pounds of beef is responsible for more greenhouse gas and other pollution emissions than driving for 150 miles or leaving a 100-watt bulb on for twenty days.
If you have some outdoor space, growing your own vegetables and keeping small livestock such as chickens is a great way to cut down on your environmental impact. Make sure to use organic plant and chicken feed. Have a read of this article on organic chicken feed reviews to set you on the right path
Orchards will save us: Orchards absorb C02, thus reducing the problem of global warming. They also stop soil erosion with their extensive root systems and start to regenerate it. Jim Sloman, author of ‘A Global Vision’ writes, "If the earth were covered with orchards, it would be possible to feed humanity using even less water and soil, increasing overall health." We can feed two and a half times more people with an acre of fruit trees than with an acre of grain”, Sloman adds.
So eat all you care for, but choose foods that save the environment!!