Did you know that food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions? And what you eat is generally more impactful than whether its local or not? The best impact you can make is by eating less red meat. Read more about carbon in food and try the BBC’s food calculator.
It’s important not to just consider climate change though, but also consider food waste, habitats that support our food systems, and making space for nature in your home.
You can:
- consider growing food at home
- find ideas for a low carbon garden
- chose foods with sustainability standards such as the Marine Stewardship Standard
- provide more habitat at home, by mowing and clearing leaves less, taking up plastic grass and paving, adding plants to your balcony or windowsill
- save money and be mindful of wasting food
Keeping our plants happy aren’t just useful for food, they also store carbon, improve our air, help keep us cool in heat waves, and reduce flooding when there’s heavy rain. Studies also show plants increase happiness, mental health, reduce crime, speed up recovery from illness, and increase house value.
Plants not an option in your home? You could swap your internet search engine to Ecosia who invest 100% of profits into international planting.
Local help
We’re a densely packed city and many of us don’t have outdoor space, so we must be clever with what space we have.
You can:
- buy food without packaging – local shops that sell packaging-free goods are listed here
- if you’d like to learn more about growing food at home, city allotments, and community orchards then view our ‘growing food’ page. There’s also information about our Room to Grow project
- if you’re finding it hard to cover food costs, the cost of living hub gives you some advice and options
- get involved with our local greening – Search on the Hive to join environmental groups or look for environmental volunteer opportunities