Healthy, Just, and Eco-conscious Food Choices

The environmental impact of our current food processes is undeniable. Food systems are responsible for 34% of global GHG emissions. Commonly, when we learn about the effects of our food on the environment, we discuss three topics: veganism, packaging, and waste. There straightforward ways of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions are following a more plant-based diet, improving food packaging (whether that is by reducing the amount of packaging or using more eco-conscious materials), or simply wasting less food (only buying what you need).

But I want us to dig deeper than that. What can we, as individuals, our community, and our planet do? We can build resilient and regenerative food systems, support food justice and reduce GHG emissions simultaneously. We must buy local and seasonal food, rewild our agriculture and support indigenous foodways. We must fight for farm workers' rights, animal welfare, and regenerative processes. We must be open to trying plant-based, cow-free, and low-GHG emission animal products. The ideas to change our food systems are there. We just need to begin.