A Climate-Friendly Diet

Wondering how to shop, cook, and eat in a warming world? The New York Times published this great guide that answers all your burning questions.  

Image via the New York Times

Our food systems account for a quarter of the world’s annual GHG emissions, so it’s important to understand which foods have the largest impact and what simple food choices people can make to reduce their climate footprint. From the impact of beef and cheese to the positives and negatives of farmed fish and seasonal and local produce, this guide is broken down into five sections: individual impact, meat, seafood, dairy, veganism, and food waste. While it’s not trying to sway anyone towards a meat and dairy-free diet, it shares tips and facts about climate-friendlier diets.

The main takeaways are:

  • Modern agriculture contributes to climate change; however, certain foods have a higher impact than others.
  • What you eat will have a greater positive impact than buying local and organic foods or using cloth bags.
  • Moderate your meat consumption or swap beef for chicken.
  • Manage your personal food waste by only purchasing what you need.

Take this quiz to learn how your diet contributes to climate change.

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