From our daily sustainable food choices to industrial food production systems, the environmental impacts of food range far and wide. At home and at work, even seemingly simple food choices can make a measurable difference to both our own carbon footprint and global climate change.
A 2018 report in Science found that the food industry is responsible for over a quarter (26%) of global greenhouse gas emissions, and half of the world’s habitable (ice- and desert-free) land is used for agriculture. Livestock farming, in particular, generates nearly 15% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
As individuals, we can contribute to bringing that number down by making informed decisions about what we eat – including adopting sustainable diets and supporting sustainable food production. Here are five ways to set that change in motion.
1. Eat local and in season
One way to reduce the carbon footprint of your groceries is to buy nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables that are in season and locally produced. Seasonal produce is not only fresher but also often contains more essential nutrients, all while using fewer resources in transportation and storage.
Explore the wide world of local food by shopping your community’s farmers market or ordering a weekly farm basket. Supporting local farmers not only strengthens the local economy, but also encourages more sustainable farming practices.
When you do buy from farther afield, check where your groceries are coming from: some countries, like regions of South America, use environmentally conscious farming practices for sustainably grown crops like coffee, bananas, and sweet potatoes.
At the same time, cutting down on red meat consumption as a population can mitigate climate change. According to a 2019 special report by the IPCC, a diet high in animal protein contributes to methane emissions, land clearing, and degraded natural ecosystems.
Today, 94% of mammal biomass (excluding humans) is livestock, compared to just 6% wild mammals, a startling fact highlighting the need for a more sustainable food system.
Quick tip!
If you’re an omnivore, look for meat from farms that practice sustainable farming: you’ll be supporting sustainable agriculture, and small businesses too. And for the health of marine ecosystems, opt for sustainable seafood that’s locally caught and not commercially overfished.
2. Cut down on food waste to reduce your environmental footprint
The impact of food waste across the supply chain is “a far-reaching problem with tremendous financial, ethical and environmental costs.” It’s estimated that a third of all food losses occur at the consumer level. While it may seem minor, your personal actions to reduce waste are part of the solution to global food insecurity.
Instead of tossing food, take stock of what’s going uneaten in your home. If you’re not using that lettuce or letting leftovers spoil, a weekly food plan built around sustainable options can help. Or simply buy and prepare less food if you’re not into leftovers.
Tip: Bruised fruits and wilted vegetables can still offer essential nutrients and be repurposed into soups, stews, or smoothies, helping you minimize waste while still enjoying healthy foods.
Outside your kitchen, ask your supermarket about their sustainable food practices and food waste policies. Consumer pressure has pushed major retailers to take action.
Quick tip!
Got leftovers? Freeze them. Produce going soft? Blend it into smoothies and freeze in single servings. You’ll save money and waste less.
3. Choose organic food when you can
Organic food is more than a trend, it reflects a deeper shift toward sustainable farming practices. Grown without synthetic chemicals, organic food protects pollinators, wildlife, and local natural ecosystems. It also reduces water consumption, soil degradation, and pollution from runoff.
When it comes to meat, organic also means better farming practices that avoid antibiotics and animal feed containing animal byproducts. Many organic farms prioritize biodiversity and make it part of their business model, a win for both the land and present and future generations.
Quick tip!
Choosing organic means caring for both your health and the environment. It supports biodiversity (hello, bees!) and honors the farmers who grow our food responsibly.
4. Keep lunch light by reducing packaging…and your carbon footprint
Make lunch at the office more eco-friendly by bringing it from home in reusable containers. Avoid single-use plastics and opt for compostable packaging when eating out. Here are 100 easy-to-make lunch ideas!
If leftovers and sandwiches aren’t your thing, experiment with easy recipes featuring whole grains, seasonal produce, and healthier alternatives to processed foods. Skipping pre-packaged meals and refined grains is not only better for the planet, it’s a step toward healthy eating and long-term health benefits.
Quick tip!
Dining out? Bring your own reusable container for leftovers. And don’t be shy, ask your favorite restaurant if they’d consider switching to sustainable takeout containers.
5. Lighten your energy load at the table
When it comes to food, lowering your energy consumption includes everything from eating less meat to looking at the carbon footprint of food transportation .
Rooftop greenhouses like those run by urban agriculture companies such as Lufa Farms grow food in controlled environments using less energy and fewer resources. Their pickup-based delivery systems reduce reliance on trucking, further shrinking the carbon dioxide emissions tied to food transport.
If you’re organizing a work event, source meals from local, sustainable vendors. It’s a chance to support sustainable alternatives and open dialogue about sustainable choices with your suppliers.
Quick tip!
Small switches, like choosing energy-efficient appliances, can go a long way. Refrigerators and stoves, for example, are among the most resource-intensive home items, so upgrading can help you save both energy and money.
Our sustainable food choices are part of a much bigger picture, one where every action helps create a more sustainable food system for future generations. From supporting local farmers to avoiding processed foods, and reducing food waste, these choices nurture a healthier planet, protect agricultural land, and support greater diversity in our food systems.
As the World Wildlife Fund reminds us, fixing our food system is one of the most powerful ways to address the environmental challenges created by human activity. So whether you’re changing old habits at home or inspiring your workplace to make sustainable choices, know this: your plate is a powerful place to start.
