I often think about technological solutions for climate change, but a recent Associated Press article in the Press Herald (“The way humans eat may add nearly 1 degree of climate warming by 2100,” March 6) reminded me that we have another option to reduce our emissions – by changing what we eat. As the article notes, by 2100, our eating habits could add almost 1 degree Celsius of warming to the Earth’s climate. To put this in context, per the Paris agreement, it’s important to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent the worst impacts from climate change.
Since we’ve already added 1 degree Celsius of warming, our eating habits clearly need to be part of the solution for climate change. According to the study on which the report was based, more than 50% of anticipated warming can be avoided by improving food production practices and cutting back on meat and dairy consumption.
As a health coach who helps people eat more mindfully, I avoid suggesting that people never eat a certain food. They may choose to become vegetarian or vegan, but not everyone is up for that. The good news is, people don’t have to eliminate those foods altogether. Reducing them can have a big impact. They could experiment by slowly cutting back, making a few vegetarian meals, and if that goes well, do a little more.
With this more gradual approach, people may even find that they don’t need as much meat or dairy as they thought. And they can feel good knowing that those changes are helping the planet.
Erica Bartlett
Portland
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