Can What We Eat Save the World?

It's easy to forget, when surrounded by a seemingly unlimited supply of food, that it has to come from somewhere. All we see is restaurants, cafes, markets, supermarkets and more - never the production source. In an article from the National Geographic James Owen states that "over 40% of Earth's land is now given over to agriculture".

Our population is growing and therefore food production is growing - but our land is running out. With protected land being taken over by agriculture, we lose biodiversity. Yet, we still need space to grow food. What can we do?

The problem lies in what and how much we eat. Certain foods have greater environmental impact than others and as consumers, we have the power to shift what is being supplied and therefore, what is being grown.

Researchers at Oxford University and the Swiss agricultural research institute have managed to assess the impact of over 40 different foods thanks to looking into over 40,000 farms and 1,600 different processors, packagers and retailers according to this article.

Here is a summary of 9 different animal products and 6 vegetable products from the University of Oxford as linked above.

As you can see, animal products contribute significantly more negative consequences than the other crops mentioned. This does not just apply to the above products. In fact, according to Oxford University, "a plant - based diet reduces food emission by up to 73% depending on where you live"!

We have more power than we think to make a change. If there is less demand for beef, less beef will be produced, reducing emissions. It's simple supply and demand.

What Can I do as a Consumer?

There are two major differences you and those around you could make to your diet that are not as difficult to implement as you may think.

1. Eat Less Animal products.

Reducing our meat consumption will make a positive difference to the environment.

Land that is currently used for feeding livestock can have food for the population grown on it instead. The emissions from producing vegetable products are much lower than those of animals, so Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Acidification and Eutrophication levels will also be reduced.

Land isn't just used for crops to feed animals, but they also require grazing. Imagine the thousands of kilometres of natural forest that could be regenerated on fields normally used for grazing, not to mention the loss of excess fertilisation to grow the grass faster, which will in turn reduce eutrophication.

2. Reduce Food Waste

How many times have you found mouldy vegetables at the back of your fridge, forgotten and discarded.

That's only a few capsicum's. Then multiply that by 9 billion.

If you cannot get through all of the food in your house, then buy less. Make a significant effort to finish every meal, if you can't, eat it for left overs the following day. You've not only reduced your food waste, but also the amount of time you have to spend in the kitchen. If we do not buy excessive amounts of food, then we will not have to grow excessive amounts of food.

For more information on going vegetarian, check out this article.

Other Sources:

National Geographic - Feeding 9 billion people