FOOD AND EMISSIONS
1. What effect does the agricultural industry have on climate change?
2. Are all foods created equal in terms of their effect on the environment? Explain.
3. What are the current concerns with the rate of global meat consumption?
In the NYT article (NYT Resource 1) linked above, complete the Quiz: How Does Your Diet Contribute to
Climate Change? (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/30/climate/your-diet-quiz-global-warming.html)
Describe and discuss your results
Discuss the specifics of how you can reduce the negative environmental effects of your diet.
Sample Solution
Food and Emissions
Agriculture both contributes to climate change and is affected by climate change. At every stage, food provisioning releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Farming in particular releases significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, two powerful greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Rising meat consumption is likely to have a devastating environmental impact. It is set to climb steeply as the world population increases along with average individual income, and could play a significant in increasing carbon emissions and reducing biodiversity. To keep global warming at safe levels, we need to address the often-ignored impact the food system has on the environment. It all starts with what we eat. A quarter of global emissions come from food. On top of that, more than half of food emissions comes from animal products, and half of all farmed animal emissions come from lamb and beef. Anyone who cares about the planet and the future of its inhabitants can make a simple choice to help halt climate change by eating vegan.
