(Original Work)
In the context of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, not everything is quantified in front of us to make a conscious decision. Whilst the earth is reeling under greenhouse gas emission, the political resolution lacks to bring a conscious awareness int the society.
Conspicuous consumption is a separate thing, but every environment & earth-conscious individual will surely be delighted to see a label in the food packet & ethically make a decision to favor food that lowers carbon footprint.
That said, the least we can do in the context of "earth deeds" is to re-organize the list of foods that we make at the dinner table and favor a list with lower carbon footprints.
I agree unlike an electrical appliance with a 5-star rating you don't have a label in your food-packet to ascertain the carbon foot-print. Activism should continue to make it mandatory to label the carbon foot-print in a food packet and thereby paving a way of bringing mass awareness in the society to make a choice of food based on the carbon footprint.
Every earth-conscious individual should put little more effort to know what kind of food generally has a high carbon foot-print and how with this effort we can organize our the choice of food that will be environment friendly.
Of the total greenhouse gas emissions, up to 29% is from food production. Just imagine, if we reset our food choice and make responsible food choices(eath-deeds), how this percentage can be drastically reduced.
Freedom and choice of food come with a responsibility. When the world is going through a challenge like a climate change this becomes even more pronounced.
Most of the people are unaware of the carbon footprint of a particular food because that is invisible(for not having a label). The diet must be regulated at least with moral responsibility. The meat segment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, the fruit and vegetable segment is the lowest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
With the growing population, the protein-rich diet is also very challenging and demanding, but with fruits and vegetables also this requirement can be met. The latter is further going to be environmentally friendly.
Of the meat segment, beef and lamb contributes most greenhouse gases as compared to chicken, pork. The dairy industry also contributes to greenhouse gases. This includes the entire chain and the cycle that includes production, fertilizer, land, transport of livestock, etc.
I was a vegetarian 2 years back and I am a vegan now. The switch from vegetarian to vegan life was guided by the motivation to consume something which is harmless, climate-friendly, and with the principle of "live and let live"(which is not for humans only rather for every living creature in the ecosystem we live).
For me, the democracy is not limited to the rights of humans only, rather the rights of every living creature. So I have imbibed this principle very strongly and trust me I always feel elated in my conscience.
When I realized that the dairy industry is also contributing to greenhouse ages and also linked to the beef industry, I decided not to consume any dairy product. Vegan Life is the right alternative and a soothing experience for me.
So what do I do for the mother nature and the earth in the context of climate change is that not just I make a responsible choice of food, but also give an informed choice to the people around me. I don't force anyone, but I definitely give them a better insight to the food they consume.
I always try to bring an informed choice for the people around me in my social circle. I am of the opinion that most of the people don't have any idea in terms of choice food when linked with the carbon footprint. They are also very casual in making a food choice. So once you bring the data analytic, the sequence & chain of food-industry, subsequent energy consumption & greenhouse gas emission, you make an informed choice for them; a soft battle triggers in their sub-conscious mind to make a right or a casual choice. An educated person and a responsible human always trigger the right choice(food with low carbon footprint).
Whenever I go to the market I am always very careful about the food item that I am buying. It is easy to distinguish between veg and non-veg(as the label is right there in the food packet) but is not the same in the case of veg and vegan(absence of any such label). So I do my homework before going to the market, as I am already in vegan activism, it helps to spread the awareness.
Till now, I have successfully motivated & introduced 10 people to the segment of vegan life. They all are happy for this transformation. They also very often say that the vegan life keeps them very close to nature and that also immensely helps them in physical and mental well-being.
If every individual will do their bit, then this world will see the best ever revolution in the context of making a food choice in terms of carbon footprint. Have an informed choice when you go out to buy a food product. Buy a food product with a lower carbon footprint. The 29% share of greenhouse gas emissions lies in the choice of food. So let's bring that change in the dining table itself.
Thank you.
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Thanks to @Abundance.Tribe for "Earth Deeds" initiative.
It's hard to know how to measure, or trust, the numbers. Your imported bananas in the UK or New York have a very different carbon footprint from my Thai bananas in my garden. Same with the free range local chickens vs a commerically raised one. Quorn? just no.
I would LOVE to see a serious commitment to this issue though and you rasie some great points. I think we will be SHOCKED at the carbon footprint of imported big-agro grains and vegetables.
Small scale, local, organic, vegan. That is the way forward.
If the local supply chain will strengthen strategically, politically at all regions then I think it would be drastically changed. The global supply chain should be for essentials and for those that are not locally available.
Whatever be the case, Vegan life is not just for lowering the carbon footprint, but for mental and physical well-being also. The true humanity can only advocated with Vegan life.
Agree wholeheartedly about the supply change needing to develop locally. I'm lucky enough to live where that happens and buy vegetables grown in the next street. The whole social paradigm needs to shift away from cities!
Thank you for a thoughtful comment.