Spencer Page
Senior Staff Writer
From farm to fork, each and every item that we eat carries an environmental price tag. From the bananas that are shipped thousands of miles from Central America to get to our grocery stores fresh, to Wagyu steaks imported from Japan, every step of production and transportation impacts and shapes the planet. As concerns with the climate grow, so does the urgency to examine how food consumption influences the world around us.
Looking at the various aspects of food consumption, it’s no secret that agriculture plays a massive role in environmental degradation and global warming. In particular, livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 11 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions. Methane production from cattle and nitrous oxide from fertilizers are the two main culprits of emissions in this process. Furthermore, 41 percent of United States land is being used to meet land and water demands of animal agriculture; it’s clear why environmentalists are calling for dietary changes.
One environmentalist, UNEP Food Systems and Agriculture Advisor James Lomax, stated that the world needs to start “rethinking our approaches to agricultural cultivation and livestock production.” Lomax later touched on how shifting towards plant-rich diets and accepting alternative sources of protein could make a large difference when it comes to reducing methane emissions.
Plant-based diets seem to be gaining traction, not only for their lower environmental impact but also for their health benefits. Lentils, beans, and other legumes require a fraction of the resources compared to meat production, making them a sustainable and nutritious replacement.
Another aspect to examine when looking at how food choices shape the planet is the food’s journey from farm to table. The distance food travels and the energy used during transport are significant factors in its environmental impact. For instance, many of the foods we consume, especially exotic fruits or out-of-season vegetables, are transported across vast distances. These long supply chains rely heavily on fossil fuels, whic accounts for a significant portion of the overall greenhouse gas emissions from food systems.
Additionally, the packaging required to keep food fresh during transport, such as plastic and other non-biodegradable materials, contributes to pollution and waste. Single-use plastic packaging is a major environmental detriment, as much of it ends up in landfills or oceans. Some companies are innovating with compostable packaging and other zero-waste initiatives being put in place, though widespread adoption remains a challenge. Until then, consumers can play their part by choosing products with minimal packaging and using reusable containers.
So, what responsibility do consumers have in promoting healthy habits for the world? Projections have shown that consumers could play a large role in reducing methane emissions and the goal of meeting the guidelines set forth at the Paris Climate Agreement. A report from UNEP found that by committing to aggressive changes in diet and culture — eating locally, plant based, and more sustainably — methane emissions could be lowered by 45 percent by 2045. This would put the planet back on track to achieve the Paris Agreement targets.