As a food engineer, I constantly analyze the journey of what we consume. In a previous Greentalist webinar, we discussed the impact of food waste. Today, we need to expand on this topic by analyzing a fundamental concept: our carbon footprint.
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) generated by our actions. Every portion we choose has a story. Every product has an associated carbon and water footprint; nothing is exempt from environmental impact. However, we can take control. Transforming our daily habits allows us to:
- Save economic resources at home.
- Protect vulnerable ecosystems.
- Mitigate current climate change.
To achieve this, the first step is understanding carbon neutrality. This means reaching a balance where the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions we generate equal the ones we reduce or offset.
The Food Life Cycle and Its Impact
Understanding our carbon footprint requires analyzing the complete cycle of products. This journey spans from the initial cultivation on farms to final disposal. The production stage happens to be the most intensive. In fact, reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that the global food system accounts for up to 37% of GHG emissions.
Optimizing processes in the food industry is key. However, the main factors of environmental impact remain:
- Land use and excessive deforestation to create new pastures.
- Cattle ranching due to the high release of methane gas.
- The application of nitrogen fertilizers that release nitrous oxide.
Subsequently, distribution logistics and cold storage add weight to the system. Transporting goods using fossil fuels represents about 19% of these food emissions. Furthermore, commercial refrigeration consumes enormous amounts of energy and leads to leaks of refrigerant gases.
Practical Tools for Sustainable Consumption
Fortunately, modifying our plates generates an immediate positive change. General food waste equals nearly 10% of global emissions. Reducing these losses is a constant obligation to lead climate action.
If you wish to know your starting point, I recommend the UN Carbon Footprint Calculator. This free platform will help you measure your personal impact across your household, transport, and lifestyle. Once evaluated, you can apply the following practical actions:
Increase the daily intake of legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
Limit the weekly consumption of beef, opting for lower-impact sources.
Prefer local options by buying directly at farmers’ markets.
Choose fruits or vegetables with imperfect shapes to avoid commercial discard.
Additionally, we must pay attention to packaging. Many packages combine layers of paper, plastic, and aluminum that prevent recycling. Prioritizing bulk purchases and using reusable cloth bags directly combats this contamination.
Your Plate: The Power to Choose
Every choice in our daily diet adds to the global fight for sustainability. We invite you to lead this conscious change from your own community today. Remember that you have the power to protect the environment by modifying your daily habits.
Best regards from Costa Rica,
Ing. Víctor Bermúdez
Food Engineer
