Because a collective effort must be done in order to fight the effects of rising global temperature, numerous solutions to Climate Change continue to be discussed at the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France.
It is the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 that jumpstarted the international political response to climate change. The convention aimed to address the issue of greenhouse gases (GHGs), while working with the UN Framework on Climate Change.
For the past 20 years, the annual Conference of Parties (COP) has been continuously reviewing the convention’s implementation. COP21 also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, aims to achieve its ambitious goal: to legally bind and have a universal agreement on keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
GHGs that are emitted through human activities are the main factor of Climate Change. Major GHGs such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are basically heat-trappers, having the capability to remain in the atmosphere and to absorb to energy. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, GHGs warm the climate, posing threats to people and environment. Reports from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) further state that GHGs concentration hit another record of a 36% percent increase from 1990 to 2014.
But in our own way, we can help lessen the effects of Climate Change by making better food choices.
Reports shows that about 44 to 57 percent of the total global GHGs emissions are associated to what we eat. Going vegan is one of the ultimate and effective ways to flight Climate Change because 51% percent of global GHGs emissions are from animal agriculture. Raising animal for food has largely become a source of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emission.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said that based on a British study, “Typical meat eaters who switched to a vegan diet reduced foot-related carbon footprint by 60% percent, saving 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.”
Carbon dioxide is released through the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and oil. One calorie of protein from meat demands big amounts of fossil fuel energy because of the sheer amount grains fed to farm animals. Plus, forests are being cleared to provide pastureland for farmed animals.
Methane has 25 times of an impact on Climate Change, compared to carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Billions of chicken, turkeys, cows and pigs packed onto factory farms are the top source of methane.
PETA said nitrogen-based fertilizers used to grown animal feed have become a source of nitrous oxide. And significant amounts of nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere when there is a combination of manure and urine from farmed animals.
5 Tips for Eating Climate-Smart
Grow your own food. Organic food and agriculture are allies to actions against climate change. It maximizes renewable resources and enhances nutrient and energy flows in agro ecosystems. Emissions of nitrous oxides and methane from pastureland can be avoided through organic management. By doing away with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, you help nurture Mother Earth.
Go for fresh food. Processed food is energy-intensive. From fields sprayed with fertilizer, to animals being fed by grains that are grown using pesticides and fertilizers, and gasoline used to transport food—combined effects of all these food stages contributes to GHGs emission. Plus its plastic packaging adds to trash that pollutes the environment.
Go for naturally grown meat. Shift to restaurants that offer naturally grown meat. Organic meat is safe for consumption; processed meat usually have antibiotic residue. Organic meat comes from animals that are grass-fed or pasture-raised.
Buy local. Food transported to different grocery stores consumes a lot of gasoline, and that contributes to GHGs. So, in order to lessen food transportation, it’s time to buy local. Eat foods in season. Visit the nearest market or stall in your area.
Use food waste. Leftover foods can make carbon-rich soil. With microorganisms, food scraps are decomposed without creating methane gas, a type of GHG that that contributes to Climate Change.
So if you want to help fight Climate Change, eat healthier and wiser. How cool is it that you can eat your way to your health and protect the environment at the same time?
Sources:
http://www.cop21paris.org/about/cop21
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/video/2519/cfs-videos/food-and-climate/3212/be-climate-smart-with-cool-foods#
http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/ghg/
http://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/food_climate_change.pdf
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-s-thomas/climatesmart-eating-savin_1_b_6625050.html
http://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html
https://www.wmo.int/media/content/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-hit-yet-another-record