The climate is changing at an alarming rate. Something has to change to keep the earth habitable for the next generation. Environmentally conscious eating can make a big difference. How can consumers reduce their carbon footprint?
Less meat, more vegetables
To keep the climate in mind, it is wise to eat as little meat and dairy as possible. Instead, opt for (organic) vegetables. Vegetables contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. To get sufficient protein, people can eat nuts and legumes. Consumers who find it challenging to give up their meat can start by cutting it out for one or two days a week.
Prevent food wastage
Roughly nine percent of our food ends up in the bin. This comes to 34kg of food per person per year. This food wastage amounts to about 1,5% of the total annual greenhouse emissions per person. There are different reasons for food wastage. For example, it may be that someone bought too much food.
Or the products have passed their best-before dates. Consumers can throw less food out by having a leftovers day. On this day, people can make tasty meals, using only leftover ingredients. It is also better to buy fresh. In this way, products do not spoil.
Local food and seasonal products
Many products are flown into the Netherlands from the other side of the world. Airfreight is one of the most polluting means of transportation. Around seven percent of the total CO2 emissions in the Netherlands comes from air traffic. It is, therefore, a good idea to check from where your food comes.
Handy apps to help eat more environmentally conscious
There are currently many apps that have information about which brands and supermarkets sell ecofriendly products. For example, the Questionmark app. Consumers can use this sustainability app to scan products. They can then see how the said product scores in the area of sustainability and healthiness.
There are also handy apps that can help people reduce food wastage. For instance, people can get tips on how to shop smarter. The 'Verspillingsvrijecoach' app can easily be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store. A good, stable internet connection is a must for this. If this is not the case, people can compare internet providers to change to a different provider.
This is a blog from Pricewise.