{"id":13257,"date":"2019-10-23T19:35:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T23:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=13257"},"modified":"2019-10-23T19:35:47","modified_gmt":"2019-10-23T23:35:47","slug":"climate-change-its-in-what-you-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/climate-change-its-in-what-you-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Change: It\u2019s In What You Eat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The food we eat, where it comes from, and what we do with it when we are finished can have a significant impact on an individual\u2019s carbon footprint. According to the USDA<\/a>, 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from agriculture, but this statistic does not tell the whole story of how our food chain impacts climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mixed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As our food travels\nfrom farms to our tables, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are released every\nstep of the way. You can take some simple steps to help fight climate change\nsimply by the food decisions you make. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat Less Meat and Dairy <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to a recent\nstudy<\/a> from the Intergovernmental\nPanel on Climate Change, transitioning to a plant-based diet is significantly\nbeneficial for the climate. Dietary changes could reduce global carbon dioxide\nemissions by eight billion tons per year and free up millions of square\nkilometers of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal products<\/a>, such as meat and dairy, contribute to over 80% of total GHG emissions\nfrom food consumption, compared to less than 5% from vegetables, fruits or\ngrains. Eating one vegetarian meal per\nweek could save the equivalent of driving over 1,000 miles. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look For Food with Fewer Food Miles Attached <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because our modern\nfood chain is globalized, you may find apples from New Zealand and avocados\nfrom Mexico in your local supermarket. It is important to consider the carbon\nfootprint of transportation because transportation accounts for 29% of total GHG emissions<\/a> in the U.S,\nwhich is the highest out of any sector. The transportation of food<\/a> is\nresponsible for 14% of the energy used by the U.S. food system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce the miles\nyour food travels, try shopping for locally grown and seasonal foods. Visit farmers\nmarkets and co-ops, or check labels at the grocery store and opt for\ndomestically grown produce. Our own Drumlin\nFarm<\/a> and Moose\nHill<\/a> CSA\u2019s are a great place to start your local food journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy Less and Buy Strategically <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the food\nsystem is food waste, which consumers and food distributors play a major role\nin. According to the EPA<\/a>, 31% of the food in the United\nStates is wasted every year, equaling 133 billion pounds of food waste. This\ncontributes to climate change because organic waste in landfill generates methane\nemissions. The EPA is calling for a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030 due to\nthe impact that food waste emissions have on climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers can shop more responsibly to reduce food waste. Try planning your meals ahead of time to avoid buying too much food, and keep an eye on expiration dates. You can keep your food scraps out of landfills by starting a backyard compost pile or bringing your food waste to a community compost site. See our Compost for the Climate<\/a> blog post for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pledge To Be a Sustainable Food Consumer <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ready to take action for your health and the health of our planet? Pledge to become a sustainable food consumer and encourage others in your life to do the same. If you’re already vegan or a vegetarian, help create change in your school or workplace by instituting meatless Mondays and encouraging your community to institute sustainable food options at work or community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I pledge to be a sustainable food consumer by reducing the amount of meat and dairy in my diet and encouraging others to do the same. Whenever possible, I will shop locally for my food and will support local farmers and producers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign the pledge ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The food we eat, where it comes from, and what we do with it when we are finished can have a significant impact on an individual\u2019s carbon footprint. According to the USDA, 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from agriculture, but this statistic does not tell the whole story of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":116,"featured_media":13258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[178],"tags":[302],"class_list":["post-13257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate","tag-climate-pledge"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/10\/Veggies.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3rP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14164,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/oath-to-our-ocean\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":0},"title":"An Oath to Our Ocean","author":"Rishya N.","date":"June 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Nothing says Massachusetts like the ocean. Beautiful coastlines, sparkling beaches, and local seafood are part of what makes our commonwealth special. The ocean provides humans and wildlife with so much that allows us to thrive. Now, the ocean needs our help. Mass Audubon's Allens Pond wildlife sanctuary A giant, blue\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13968,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-early-bird-sings-a-tale-of-climate-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":1},"title":"The Early Bird Sings a Tale of Climate Change","author":"Rishya N.","date":"May 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As buds bloom and seedlings sprout, you can hear the familiar chorus of American Robins in your backyard, signaling the arrival of spring. Over the last few years, however, you may have heard our robins start singing earlier than usual. What We Know A recent study found that migrating American\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14261,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-splash-of-good-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":2},"title":"A Splash of Good News","author":"Rishya N.","date":"June 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As one of the world\u2019s largest, natural carbon sinks (a sponge that sucks up rampant carbon dioxide emissions) the ocean is working incredibly hard to balance the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, that means a lot is changing inside our waters: from warming temperatures to acidification, climate change\u2019s effects on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14000,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/climate-change-and-pollinators\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":3},"title":"Climate Change Disrupts Pollinator Buzz and Bustle","author":"Rishya N.","date":"May 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Every spring our world blossoms with life: melodious bird song accompanies the bursts of growth in our plants, flowers, and trees. As our backyards and neighborhoods fill with bright colors and vivid aromas, a special group of animals work behind-the-scenes to ensure the survival of our flora: pollinators. Hairy-banded Andrena\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/IMG_8538.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/IMG_8538.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/IMG_8538.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/IMG_8538.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14913,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/paris-agreement-whats-next\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":4},"title":"Leaving the Paris Agreement: What\u2019s Next?","author":"Rishya N.","date":"November 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon Ipswich River wildlife sanctuary \u00a9 Jared Leeds Born from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change\u2019s\u00a021st summit, the Paris Agreement pledges to keep global temperature rise below\u00a02 degrees Celsius.\u00a0This agreement\u00a0was pivotal, demonstrating international dedication to collectively reducing and mitigating the effects of climate change. Since its inception\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13007,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-role-of-land-conservation-in-fighting-climate-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":13257,"position":5},"title":"The Role of Land Conservation in Fighting Climate Change","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"August 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The climate crisis often evokes images of coal-burning power plants, oil rigs drilling for fossil fuels, and congested roadways filled with gas-guzzling vehicles. But what about the land that surrounds us? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has told us that we are in the fight of our lives\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/116"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13257"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13263,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13257\/revisions\/13263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}