What you choose to eat every day affects the climate
What we eat and how our food is produced, packaged, shipped and disposed accounts for at least 13 percent of human-caused carbon emissions in the United States.
The production of certain types of food creates more carbon emissions than others. For example, on a per-calorie basis, the production of red meat creates significantly more carbon emissions than the production of cereals and grains.
Take action now for the climate
- Eat primarily fruits, vegetables and grains, and less meat.
- Purchase food that is minimally processed and packaged.
- Grow your own food.
These actions will help you:
- Support a strong local economy. Buying local food helps maintain a stabile agricultural land base near Portland and supports the regional economy. It's estimated that for every $100 spent at a farmers market, $62 is re-spent locally.
- Cut calories. A plant-based diet is rich in fiber and you’ll feel full with fewer calories, resulting in lower calorie intake and less overeating. On average, Americans get less than half the recommended daily quantity of fiber.
- Prevent disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables and limiting meat consumption may lessen your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
- Protect ocean life. Use of chemical fertilizers is considered the major human-related cause of dead zones in our waters, oxygen-starved ocean areas that are devoid of all marine life.
- Reduce your impact on climate change: Food and other organic matter that end up in the landfill produce methane gas, 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
Resources
Ready for more? View the full list of climate-friendly actions!
Eat more seasonal fruits, vegetables and whole grains
What's in Season? – Be in the know about seasonal bounty.
Eat local
Find local food – Listings of farmers markets, community supported agriculture, u-pick farms and more near you.
Go meatless once a week
Meatless Monday – Resources, recipes and reasoning for going meatless one day a week.
Get dirty in the garden!
Portland’s Urban Growth Bounty Classes – Register for classes on sustainable living, eating and growing, taught by local experts and hosted by the City of Portland.
Metro: Natural Gardening – Tips from Metro's experts: workshops, learning gardens, guides and more.
Compost your food waste
Compost – Resources for composting at home or commercially.
Metro: Guide to Effective Composting – Learn how you can save money and reduce waste by composting certain food scraps and yard waste.
Plan your meals and eat reasonably-sized portions
Wasted Food – An insightful blog, information and action steps for reducing your food waste.
