Food and climate, How does your daily dish save the planet?

With increased awareness of climate changes and their negative impacts on the environment, it has become clear that our food decisions play a crucial role in preserving the planet

Although many may not realize that their daily food choices directly affect the climate, the fact is that food production, from agriculture to transport, is a major part of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential factor in climate change.

Zoonotic foods, especially red meat, dairy products and farmed shrimp, stand out as one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions

This is due to several factors, including the fact that meat production requires large grass areas often created by logging, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in forests.

In addition, cows and sheep produce methane during plant digestion, a gas that has a stronger impact on global warming than carbon dioxide.

Crop, livestock and fertilizer waste releases nitrous oxide gas, which is another powerful greenhouse gas

We can reduce emissions from food production by making changes at all stages of the food sector, from producers to consumers

One of the most important steps is to rely on plant-rich diets, where we can eat more plant-based proteins such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts and grains, reduce consumption of animal foods such as meat and dairy, and reduce saturated fats such as butter, milk, cheese and palm oil

These changes contribute to significantly reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions compared to current food patterns in most industrialized countries.

Alternative proteins are promising solutions, including plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products, proteins extracted from insects, and cultured meat produced from animal cells without the need for animal husbandry.

These alternatives are witnessing growing interest by investors and consumers alike, making them part of the solution in the fight against climate change

Despite the need to reduce consumption of animal products, it remains an important source of food security and nutrition, especially in rural areas around the world

However, we can improve their environmental impact by improving feed and nutrition techniques to reduce methane emissions, reduce herd size while increasing productivity, and rely on improved agricultural practices such as better fertilizer and fertilizer management, rotational grazing for soil conservation and carbon storage, and rehabilitating degraded land

Reducing food waste is also crucial, with nearly 1 billion tons of food wasted annually, about 17% of the total food available to consumers worldwide, according to one UN report.

In conclusion, we can all play a role in protecting the environment by adopting more sustainable eating habits. By reducing meat consumption, choosing local products, reducing food waste and experience food innovations, all simple steps that can make a big difference in the face of climate changes So let's be more aware of what we're consuming to ensure a better life for generations to come.