KONIALIAN'S KITCHEN: SUSTAINABLE MEALS FOR YOUR WALLET AND THE PLANET
CARBON FOOTPRINT
One of the most frequently used environmental indicators for evaluating environmental performance and climate change is the carbon footprint (CFP). CFP summarizes all of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals resulting from production. This quantity is typically conveyed in CO2 equivalents.
Globally, the agriculture sector can account for upwards of 30% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions. Just think about it-- the process of growing and raising what we eat can be responsible for nearly a third of the earth warming gasses being released into our atmosphere.
DIETS & NUMBERS
Their are many types of diets that essentially define what types of products someone eats. A Mediterranean diet is omnivorous, but it still has the potential to reduce emissions by 30%. This means that without doing a single calculation, it can be assumed that any of my family recipes have a footprint that is at least 80% (3/4th) less than that of a Big Mac.
Accounting for more than half of the average American's output, items in the meat, poultry, and egg categories are known to be some of the largest contributors of diet related GHGs. Altering diets and opting for less resource intensive foods can diminish your carbon footprint and ultimately reduce global carbon emissions.
Vegan
An entirely plant-based diet has the least impact with 1/8-1/5th of the carbon dioxide production as an omnivorous diet.
Vegetarian
A diet free of meat, fish, and foul flesh may reduce GHG emissions by 55%
Pescatarian
Similar to a vegetarian diet, but seafood is added. May reduce GHG emissions by 45%
Mediterranean
This diet still contains meat and other animal products; however, it still has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 30%