As we move from summer towards fall, the changing of the seasons makes me reflect upon climate change. Changes to the Earth’s climate over the past several decades have been attributed to human activities--such as the burning of fossil fuels or deforestation--that have led to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases prevent the sun’s heat from escaping, thereby warming the planet and altering weather patterns and ecosystems.
Sustainability is an often talked about concept in relation to the environment. It means being conscious of how your current choices affect the future, and choosing practices that can be continued with little to no effect on the future.
This month I will be covering how you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sustainability of your food choices and food habits in your daily life.
Say 'Goodbye' to Single-Use Plastic
Plastic is a readily used material all around the world since it is durable and relatively low cost. However, this durability means that it is slow to breakdown in landfills, and can often end up polluting our waters and endangering wildlife. Single use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, and utensils are of concern given the fast turnaround for their use.
Here are some great tips to reduce your reliance on single-use plastics and do your part to protect the environment:
When grocery shopping, bring reusable totes and smaller bags for your groceries and produce
Carry a reusable water bottle with you throughout your day
Go straw-less or bring your own stainless steel or glass straw
Invest in reusable sandwich bags for lunches or bring your own to-go container when eating out
Waste Diversion
In my last post, I talked about some tips to reduce the waste you make by eliminating single-use plastics. Another effective waste management strategy that relates to food habits is waste diversion.
Waste diversion prevents unnecessary and harmful items from going to a landfill where they would create harmful greenhouse gases and pollute the local environment. Two key strategies for waste diversion include recycling and organic waste collection.
Each city has different specifications regarding which items can be recycled, so be sure to seek out resources from your area to learn about proper recycling practices. The Region of Waterloo has a phone application called Waste Whiz to help you properly sort your waste.
Organic waste collection reduces the production of the greenhouse gas methane that is created in landfills when decomposition happens without oxygen. Composting is another technique that incorporates air to the organic mixture thereby preventing methane gas production and creating a natural fertilizer.
MYTH OR FACT: Are plant-based meals better for the environment?
Swapping your intake of red meat for plant-based options such as tofu, beans, and lentils is an often talked about strategy for making more sustainable food choices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But is this actually true?
Cows and sheep are known as ruminants and emit greenhouse gases such as methane in their digestion process. While managed cattle grazing helps preserve land biodiversity and retains carbon, most cattle are raised on commercial feedlots since they are more efficient and can better keep up with increased food demands for the growing population.
Plant-based diets consume fewer resources such as energy, land, and water, and emit fewer greenhouse gases. They are also lower in saturated fat and can reduce your risk of heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, and certain types of cancer. Try swapping some red meat meals for plant-based options a few times a week to better the environment and your health!
From Farm to Table
A great way to reduce your ecological footprint is to eat locally produced foods. Emissions from transportation contribute to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; eating locally reduces those emissions since food doesn’t travel as far to reach your plate.
Farmer’s markets are a great way to find local foods and connect with local businesses. For those in Ontario, you can also look for the Foodland Ontario logo in grocery stores to signify locally grown produce.
Eating locally also means eating seasonally, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip out on variety or flavour! Ontario is known for its apples, pears, carrots, potatoes, squash, and many more this upcoming fall season. Visit Foodland Ontario to find delicious recipes featuring seasonal and locally grown produce.
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