What if by simply switching to different versions of the foods we consume, we can help mitigate the effects of climate change? A number of studies have established that there is a correlation between adopting a number of plant forward meals that are sustainable and greenhouse emissions from the food systems. That is why climate education program initiatives that are targeted and centered upon diet, such as the Climate Diet program, are so vital and helpful.
Developed by the environmental nonprofit organization Earth Day Initiative, the Climate Diet is a project that aims at raising public awareness regarding the ways in which the consumption of food contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and at providing people with tools to lower their carbon footprint by changing their eating habits. It provides an easy to grasp, scientifically grounded way of comparing multiple foods based on aspects such as land footprint, water footprint, and emissions footprint. For instance, beef production uses much more water and feeds and generates a significantly higher amount of methane per calorie compared to plant based proteins such as beans, lentils and tofu.
The Climate Diet implements these considerations in the form of a points-based system where foods with low emissions are valued higher and carbon-intensive products are valued lower. Thus, through point assignments daily and weekly, participants can see a concrete change in their eating habits towards choosing fruits, vegetables, whole grains or plant proteins, which can reduce the carbon footprint of 1 meal significantly when adopted on a regular basis. In addition to points, the program offers recipes, articles, and social media support to help the individual maintain good habits in the long run.
The rationale behind activities such as the sustainable diets climate impact is that a lot of people doing little things will ultimately be equal to a lot of people doing the big things in terms of environmental conservation. We have to get enough people who understand how decisions are made in the food choices they make, contribute to climate change and then change this demand to promote low emissions foods, then we can transform whole food systems. Our plates hold significant power—when people opt for the fork as the vote and learn more about climate action; diets have the potential of cultivating healthy individuals within a healthy environment.
