by Jessica Bosari

Created on: February 03, 2009

You are probably taking steps towards conserving energy to protect the environment. More people are carpooling, turning down the thermostat and recycling than ever before; but have you considered how your diet affects global warming? Here is what you need to know about eating for a greener planet.

The Basics

A green diet is about reducing consumption of processed foods and meat-based products. This method of eating reduces methane emissions, saves energy and lessens waste.

The Problem with Methane

Focusing on reducing carbon monoxide emissions is important, but methane is much more harmful to the environment. Methane gas is 23 times more damaging to the environment then Carbon Dioxide.

The primary producer of methane gas on this planet is cattle farming. The flatulants and manure from raising cows, pigs and poultry increases methane in the atmosphere and can create a snowball effect, hastening global warming. The release of methane "can cause greater microbial activity causing further increases in methane emissions. Thus, climate change induced by humans could actually trigger the release of more greenhouse gases from natural systems."

The Rain Forest

South Americans are clearing rain forests to make cattle grazing land as beef demand increases. The rain forest is one of the earth's single most important features for maintaining an environment healthy to humans and needs to be preserved at all costs.

Damage Caused by Highly Processed Foods

Highly processed foods are those than have been chemically altered through additives such as preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors and fillers. The easiest way to identify a highly processed food is to read the ingredients list. Long ingredient lists or those including multiple unpronounceable words should be suspect.

The chemicals from these products leach into the environment affecting everyone. In addition, the packaging of these foods results in further methane production as they sit rotting in land fills. Fresh, simple foods are a much better choice for several reasons.

The United Kingdom government website suggests buying fresh foods whenever possible. "Buying food and drink when locally in season, and unprocessed or lightly processed food, is likely to mean that less energy has been used in its production. Providing it has been produced and stored under similar conditions, choosing food that has travelled a shorter distance will help to reduce congestion and transport emissions that contribute to climate change."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgr eenerliving/Greenerlivingaquickguide/DG_064432

Dairy

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