4 Effortless Sustainable Actions to Eat Sustainably and Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

 

✨Shop locally to reduce carbon footprint

The top reason for carbon dioxide emissions is the transportation sector, which includes various modes of transportation such as cars, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, and ships. The emissions notably contribute to climate change and air pollution, which can have serious environmental and health impacts.

Shipping across the country and the globe produces tremendous fossil fuel. We can minimize the transportation emissions by reducing the demand. In other words, enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits grown in your community, and maybe savor out-of-season foods on special occasions.

Plus, it is great for our health, too. Seasonal produce is rich in vitamins and nutrients, and our bodies are naturally inclined to crave these foods to optimize our well-being. For instance, in the summer, fresh salads made with cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes help cool our bodies, whereas autumn and winter harvests like pumpkins, carrots, and apples help keep us warm.

✨Look for organic certification

I like coffee. Unfortunately, coffee trees do not grow in my neighborhood (probably not in yours either). But I still want to enjoy my morning ritual without harming the environment. So, what I can do at least is to choose “ethical coffee” that has certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Bird Friendly®, or organic. It’s important to note that sustainable agriculture efforts apply to other products as well, including tea, chocolate, coconut oil, and so on.

✨Reduce food waste

Some scientists argue that it won’t reverse the current ecosystem even if we all go vegan. When there’s a surge in demand for a particular product, such as soybeans, it can lead to intensive farming practices that result in deforestation. Besides, regardless of what we eat, food waste remains a major issue. Not only do households throw away a lot of food, but supermarkets and restaurants also discard expired or perfectly safe-to-eat food.

In fact, my friend used to work at a fast-food chain where she was instructed to throw away fries that had been made an hour ago and keep refilling the trays. She was studying agricultural economics at that time and couldn’t stand creating an environmental problem, even though it was for food safety regulations.

✨Support the good cause

We can address climate change issues by supporting an organization of your choice — wildlife conservation or environmental nonprofits. It does not have to be a monetary donation; you can also help by watching their videos on YouTube, spreading the word about their work, or volunteering your time.