This post is a part of a presentation initially written in French, and presented during the monthly reunion of the collective I organise with one of my dear friend Julie Goudet. We bring together the french community in Hamburg to provide Educational talks and trainings about Sustainability and protection of the biodiversity.
The food sector in industrialised countries is like that friend who never changes – it’s been contributing around 24% of greenhouse gas emissions, and it seems to be sticking to that number. However, in developing countries, the situation is a bit more positive. Thanks to some changes (and maybe a bit of finger-pointing elsewhere), their share has dropped to 39% in 2015 from a whopping 68% in 1990. China, Indonesia, the United States, Brazil, the European Union, and India top the list for the highest volumes of emissions. Yes, we’re looking at you, China and the US – time to cut down on those food-related emissions!
The way we consume our favourite treats plays a huge role in shaping the world we live in.
According to the United Nations climate and environment report, our beloved food systems are responsible for more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Now, that’s some food for thought!
Supply Chains and Packaging:
Now, let’s dish out some shocking stats. Fresh/cold supply-chain activities are responsible for around 5% of global food system emissions, and that number is on the rise. But wait, it’s not just what’s on your plate that’s causing a stir. Turns out, your food’s packaging is a real troublemaker, accounting for 5.4% of global food system emissions. That’s right – more than what it takes to get your groceries from farm to fork. Maybe it’s time to rethink that extra layer of plastic wrap?
Avoiding Food Waste:
Moving on to another guilty pleasure – wasting food. The Waste Report 2021 revealed a staggering 931 million tonnes of food wasted globally. In the UK, 30% of vegetable crops are left to wither away simply because they don’t meet our aesthetic standards.
France isn’t any better, with each French person tossing out 20 to 30 kilos of food annually, including 7 kilos still in its packaging. Ooh la la, that’s a lot of edible treasures going to waste!
Tips to Tackle Food Waste:
So, how can we turn the tide on this food waste epidemic? Fear not, we’ve got some tasty tips for you:
- Embrace Ugly Veg: Remember, the ugly ones taste just as good. It’s time to break free from the tyranny of perfect-looking produce.
- Plan Your Meals: A little bit of meal planning goes a long way. Know what you need and stick to it – your wallet and the planet will thank you.
- Storage Wisdom: Follow the instructions on the packaging to keep your food fresh. It’s like giving your fridge a PhD in food preservation.
- Disco Soup Party: Turn leftovers into a feast! Host a Disco Soup party with friends, music, and all the food scraps you’ve collected. Let’s make leftovers cool again.
- Decode Dates: Understand the difference between “use-by” and “best before” dates. Spoiler alert: that chocolate turning white doesn’t mean it’s gone bad.
- Embrace Anti-Waste Apps: Get on board with apps like “Too Good To Go. » or other food waste avoidance app It’s like a treasure hunt for discounted food, and you’re saving the planet while you’re at it.
There you have it – a crash course in sustainable eating and avoiding food waste. Let’s be mindful of what we put on our plates, and together, we can make a world of difference, one delicious meal at a time. Happy eating!
Sources :
IPCC global warming report 6th edition. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/summary-for-policymakers
PNUE report on food waste 2021 https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/35280/FoodWaste.pdf
The global impact of Food production (french): https://news.un.org/fr/story/2021/03/1091292
European date labelling – https://www.eufic.org/en/food-safety/article/best-before-use-by-and-sell-by-dates-explained
the translation of the by date in various languages https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/06/22/explainer-do-you-understand-date-labels-on-food-more-than-half-of-europeans-don-t
About food storage – https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/food-expiration-dates-guidelines-chart
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