Bringing food to our tables accounts for about a quarter of human carbon emissions on the planet, so maybe that produce the local grocery store brought in from another country isn't so worth it.
Making the Switch...
from grocery store produce to locally grown produce makes all the difference, and when considering the distance the food travels, it is safe to say that driving a few minutes down the road releases a lot less CO2 than driving a truck from California to New Jersey. By eating locally grown foods, you are already taking a small step towards reducing your carbon footprint, and your food will be super fresh.
Try to Steer Clear from Processed Foods
Not only are processed foods decently unhealthy for you with added fats and sugars, but they also do tend to be packaged in non-recyclable plastics, something that we learn at a very early age is HORRIBLE for the environment. According to the EPA, 14 million tons of plastic come from packages and containers, and all of that extra plastic ends up sitting in a landfill. Additionally, when this food is produced, it usually involves processes that contain numerous chemicals and uses a ton of energy to do so.
Organic Foods...
are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and GMOs. While organic foods are beneficial for your health because of nourishing nutrients, they are also beneficial for the environment. Not only do organic farming practices reduce pollution, but they also conserve water and, overall, use less energy. Eating organic means that your food will be SO much fresher and full of flavor, who wouldn't want that?
Invest in a Reusable Water Bottle!
My family said goodbye to plastic water bottles years ago, and now you should too. Ever leave your plastic water bottle out in the sun and go to take a sip of it? Immediately you'll have a mouthful of warm water that definitely does not quench your thirst. Instead, try a reusable, insulated water bottle that keeps your drink cold all day long AND is good for the environment too. Companies including Swell and Yeti, among others, have made numerous sizes and colors of water bottles that can be reused for years. They are on the pricier side for a water bottle, but buying plastic bottles from the grocery store surpasses that amount. By eliminating plastic water bottles from your life, you will be saving about 1,460 water bottles per year and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases into the environment.
Cut Down on...
your meat consumption. While it is a staple in most of our diets, the process to raise livestock generates just as many greenhouse gases as cars do. By making fruits and vegetables a bigger part of your diet, you are combatting climate change directly. The Union of Concerned Scientists even lists eating meat as Earth's second-largest environmental hazard, second to emissions from automobiles. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming a vegetarian and cutting out meat altogether (unless of course, you want to!), but that rather than eating meat five times a week, try only having it twice. It's good for your health AND the environment sounds like a win-win to me!