How does your daily food affect the fate of the planet? | Lifestyle

Our nutritional choices are not just personal preferences, but rather have a direct and deep effect on the planet. The link between the food dish and the climate change may seem strange, but the truth is that the diet plays a pivotal role in the emission of greenhouse gases that affect the high temperatures and climate changes.

The global diet contributes about 30% of the total carbon emissions, which makes it an essential element in efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. Therefore, the shift towards sustainable food patterns represents a necessary step to protect the environment and reduce global warming.

What is the relationship of food to climate change?

The impact of the food that we consume is not limited to our health, but also extends to the environment. Food production is one of the most prominent causes of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities. The largest percentage of these emissions is concentrated in agriculture and the use of lands, as it includes methane caused by cattle digestion, nitrogen oxide resulting from the use of fertilizers, and carbon dioxide resulting from the removal of forests to expand agricultural lands.

It also includes other emissions resulting from compost management, rice cultivation, and burning agricultural waste. The emissions cycle does not stop here, but rather extends to subsequent stages such as cooling, transportation, packaging, and food waste management. This interconnection between food and emissions makes promoting sustainable diets an urgent necessity to reduce the carbon footprint and ensure a healthy future for our planet.

Foods have the greatest impact on the environment

Animal foods are one of the most negative impact diets on the environment, due to its massive consumption of natural resources, such as fresh water, agricultural lands, and energy. Its production operations contribute to launching large quantities of greenhouse gases, making it among the main factors contributing to climate change.

• red meat

Cows meat is one of the most influential foods on the environment. Its production requires huge amounts of water and feed, in addition to methane gas emissions during the digestion in cows. Methane is a greenhouse gases with a large effect in raising the temperature of the atmosphere.

• Dairy products

Like meat, dairy products need large natural resources and lead to high carbon emissions. These emissions are produced during production and transfer of products to the market, which increases their environmental impact.

• Imported and packed foods

Imported foods contribute to increasing carbon footprint due to long -distance transportation, especially if they are transported. Also, packaging and packaging consume large amounts of energy and resources, which leads to additional environmental burdens, whether in production, or after disposal.

How to combat climate change through your nutritional choices?

Your choice may seem to change your diet as a simple procedure, but it may make a big difference. According to researchers, the shift towards a diet is more sustainable to reduce the carbon footprint by up to 50%.

• Reduce animal proteins

The shift to a sustainable food pattern does not mean completely abandoning animal products. Rather, it can reduce meat consumption and adopt components with sustainable sources to make a big difference. Vegetable proteins such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu are excellent options; It requires much lower resources to produce it compared to meat, use less water and produce less carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

In addition to its environmental benefits, plant proteins carry important health benefits, as they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which contributes to promoting heart health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Added at least one vegetarian meal per week, dependent on plant proteins instead of animal, to be a simple but effective step in supporting environmental sustainability and improving public health

• Choose local and seasonal foods

When you choose local products, you reduce the emissions resulting from shipping and long -distance transportation. Seasonal and local foods not only supports the local economy, but also reduces the consumption of fossil fuels associated with food transport.

• Preference for organic and sustainable products

Studies indicate that organic products planted with sustainable methods contain less chemicals, which reduces negative effects on soil and water. Sustainable agriculture depends on techniques that reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers that cause water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Although organic products may be a little more expensive compared to others, they represent a long -term investment for your health and environmental protection.

• Sustainable life options to combat climate change

Not only does it change your diet, but requires simple changes in your lifestyle. These amendments are not complicated, but easy to implement, and may be practicing some of them already without realizing their impact. However, its influence is great and able to make a tangible difference in your life, your health, and the environment around you.

• Home Agriculture

Home cultivation is an effective way to reduce the carbon fingerprint of food, where you can grow vegetables and fruits in your garden or on the roof of the house, which reduces your dependence on industrially produced foods. This option reduces the need for transportation and packing, and enhances awareness of the importance of local food production. Home agriculture also gives you the ability to control the quality of your food using healthy chemical -free methods. To achieve this, it is preferable to use natural techniques, such as organic remedies to combat pests and natural fertilizers for soil feeding. Home agriculture is not only a sustainable environment option, but an enjoyable experience that guarantees high -quality food and an environmentally friend.

• Reducing food waste

Wasting food is a major environmental challenge, as it leads to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, when it is analyzed in waste burials. In addition, the resources used in its production, including energy, water and agricultural land, are wasted.

To reduce this waste, simple and effective steps can be followed, such as buying appropriate amounts of food and storing it in a correct way to prolong its validity period, as well as ensuring that everything that is purchased. It is also possible to choose fruits and vegetables with an ideal shape, because they have the same quality but are often neglected without justification.

To contribute to reducing the environmental effect of waste, food residue can be converted into an organic fertilizer, which reduces harmful gas emissions. These practices not only protect the environment, but also provide money and help maintain resources for future generations.

• Reducing the consumption of processed and packed foods

Manufactured foods require huge amounts of resources such as energy and water, and generate large carbon emissions as a result of industrial production and transportation operations. The production of these treatment and excessively enlarged foods also leads to the accumulation of unnecessary waste. According to reports. Reducing dependence on processed foods not only improves your health, but also contributes to a significant reduction in carbon fingerprint. Instead, meals made of whole natural ingredients such as fresh vegetables and fruits can be chosen, making them a healthier and sustainable option.