“Save the planet” with a sustainable diet
What does my diet have to do with the Amazon in Brazil? In everyday life, many people do not realise that their purchasing decisions in the supermarket not only have an impact on their health, but also on the planetary ecosystem and the climate.
What problems does our conventional diet cause?
- Our food production is responsible for around a quarter of global emissions
- Agricultural farming practices often go hand in hand with the use of artificial fertilisers
- Mass livestock farming for meat production releases enormous amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide
- The clearing of forests to grow food and fodder means that native animals lose their homes
- Large amounts of plant populations are lost, which convert the climate-damaging CO2 into sugar and oxygen
- Global water availability and fish stocks in the oceans are dwindling and the earth is increasingly polluted with microplastics and other substances
What are the causes?
- Individuals often lack knowledge of the connections between product and impact, or awareness of these when going to the supermarket every day
- Human eating behaviour is less rational and is primarily subject to cultural, situational, social and emotional influences and is also a question of habit
- Furthermore, it is not always immediately clear to consumers how much resources are used and how much environmental damage is caused by individual foods
- Many companies prefer to produce their goods cheaper, faster and in large quantities as they are more interested in financial gain than sustainability
- Poorly packaged or even packaging-free goods save waste and help to reduce the environmental impact of microplastics
What can you do and what can a sustainable diet look like?
- Focus on consuming vegetables, fruit and wholemeal products as well as pulses and nuts
- Refrain from eating animal products and meat, alternatively pay attention to the type of animal husbandry when reducing consumption
- Pay attention to the seasonal and regional availability of food, as this means fewer preservatives are used and transport routes are shorter
- Choose fresh fruit and vegetables, which contain significantly more micronutrients and minerals than ready-made products such as puff pastry, frozen pizza or tinned stew
- Try to avoid eating products containing palm oil
Las but not least:
Reduce/avoid food waste through conscious, sustainable and responsible shopping and consumption.