May top tips | sustainable eating

Hi,

This month we will be talking about how to eat in a more environmentally way! Food is a very important part of many cultures, however unfortunately its production and transport can have consquences for the environment. So let's talk about how to aviod that.

1. Avoid palm oil

We've mentioned this before but basically palm oil is very bad for the environment and its production often violates human rights. Workers are paid far less than they should be and deforestation is almost always part of the process of producing palm oil. It isn't easy to avoid but it is possible. All you need to do is check the packaging. Often it says that it is 'responsibly sourced' or 'eco friendly'; that normally means that less harm is done but sadly, it sometimes means that the producers don't allow inspection.

2. Eat less meat

Eating animals is bad for the environment and bad for your health. For instance, cows produce methane which is a greenhouse gas. Also, breeding animals just to kill them is immoral. Meat production also requires a lot of space, which leads to deforestation of rainforests like the Amazon. These then need food, meaning even more land and water is wasted.

3. Grow your own food

Growing food at home is good in multiple ways.

For example:

Saves money - only buy once (seeds)
Saves journeys to and from shops - and saves petrol (and CO2)
Fun and enjoyable for the family - everyone can join in and have fun
Sustainable and a reliable source - regenerative and cheap

The only downside is that you need a garden or sunny room and that you can't go on holiday for too long without getting someone to water the plants.

4. Eat what is in season

By only eating what is locally in season you avoid long transport distances and artificially produced fruit which is no where near as tasty.

5. Reduce food waste

When you waste food, you are not only using up resources that others desperately need, you're also wasting the time and effort put into transporting and producing that food. In the United States alone, roughly 30-40 percent of the total food supply is thrown away.

6. Compost your food waste

If you have to waste food then at least compost it because when you compost food it is good for a number of animals including worms, hedgehogs and plants since it improves the structure of the soil and provides nutrients.

7. Buy fewer processed foods

Processed food doesn't contain the same health benefits as naturally sourced foods and although it stops you from feeling hungry it isn't good for you in the long run. Also, the process of producing processed food has negative effects for the natural world.

8. Cook more at home

Often, food cooked at home is more nutritious than food bought at a restaurant since you can make sure you only use sustainable products and you know exactly what is going into what you eat. Also, it can be fun to make food together as a family and is satisfying to eat something you have made yourself.

9. Bring your own containers

When out and about, bringing your own reusable containers can reduce the amount of plastic waste that you throw away. These containers can be used multiple times so there is no need to buy new every time (also reducing money)

10. Say no to straws

By now this is commonly known, but by bringing your own reusable straw, you can help stop this plastic from reaching the ocean where they can harm the wildlife living there.

So there you have it, 10 simple ways to help the environment while still enjoying your meal!

Your Green World Blog Team💚

Sources:
https://www.wwf.org.uk/betterbasket
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-ways-eat-out-sustainably
https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/six-tips-help-you-eat-more-sustainably

Image: This image is owned by a blog editor.

Comments

16.08.2020 Animal of the week: Elephant

Hello. On the 12th of August it was International Elephant Day, so we decided that this week's post should be about elephants. Elephants are the largest living land mammals. There are three types of elephant; the African bush elephant; the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. African elephants have larger ears, whereas Asian elephants have smaller ears. Elephants use their trunks to breath, bring food and drink to their mouths and to grasp objects. Elephants' legs are like pillars. They carry the Elephant's massive weight. African bush elephants weigh 6000kg, Asian elephants weigh 4000kg and African forest elephants weigh 2700kg. Basically, they are very heavy.Elephants eat grasses, small plants, bushes, fruit, twigs, tree bark, and roots. Elephants can live up to 70 years old in the wild. They communicate by sight, touch and smell. Sadly, these wonderful mammals are in danger. African elephants are listed as vulne...

Discussion || Should Everyone Switch To Electric Cars?

Hi Everyone! Thank you so much for joining me today, as I hop on the blog to discuss whether everyone switching to electric cars would really help the environment. In other words, should everyone switch to electric cars? This is the first part of a two-part series, discussing electric cars, so stay tuned for part two!! I would like to start this post by stating that I am by no means an expert. This is knowledge I have from my own experience, and from research I have done. If anything is incorrect please take it as it is and accept that this is a discussion and I am taking on board all opinions from reliable sources on this complex topic. Electric cars are a huge topic when it comes to sustainability and "saving our planet". There is no debating the fact that electric cars are better for the environment than diesel or petrol once they are on the road. But the production of them is often very polluting, with one study show...

23.08.2020 Animal of the week: Little Egret

Hi everyone, This week's animal is the Little Egret. This is a less well-known bird, so we are excited to share it with you! Habitat Little Egrets are a species of small heron and live in many different places across the world such as Africa, Australia, southern Asia, Europe and the UK. Like herons, Little Egrets live in open spaces that have a lake or river running through them. Some of the ones that live in Europe migrate to Africa. Diet Because it is an aquatic bird, the Little Egret feeds on a range of fish, amphibians, small reptiles and birds, insects and worms. They aren't fussy! Some Little Egrets have made use of humans and have been known to throw bread into the water to attract fish for it to eat. Dangers Little Egrets are classed as Least Concern , so their numbers aren't declining like many other amazing birds are at the moment. That's all for this week, we hope you have learnt some new facts! Images: 1...

What is Biomimicry?

Hi guys, A while ago I learned a bit about Biomimicry and thought it would be interesting to share. It's a very interesting and touching idea that tends to come up in science class a lot. Basically, it is studying nature and taking ways nature does things to inspire our own ideas. It is taking nature as a role model for us to be more sustainable and efficient, and copying nature to fit in better. It is a way for scientists to solve great problems environmentally friendly and go back to a sustainable way of living. Many smart people around the globe take a close look at what nature does to solve a problem they may have encountered and adapt nature's ways to their own ideas to make them efficient, sustainable, less toxic and clean. There even is a whole organisation for biomimicry! I checked out the home page quickly, it's beautifully designed and you can really see what good it can do. Below, I will link the video I was shown when introd...

Some info, resources & solutions to the plastic crisis

Hello Everyone, Plastic was once a miracle material but now it is the enemy. And we are the last generations who can do anything about it. If we want future generations to experience the world in all its amazing beauty like we have: we have to make a difference. We have the power to change the world for the better or for the worst. There will always be people who don't care about the environment but we do and so we need to do what we think is right. So join the campaign and fight for a better future. For our planet to return to its natural way with incredible biodiversity and amazing ecosystems. We have to make a difference now because all around the world animals are suffocating, drowning, and dying because of humans. You may think it isn't your problem but ultimately you are human and humans make plastic. Honestly, I can't believe that it has gotten to this point. We just have to change something because there is obviously something we ...

The life of ... Atlantic salmon

Hello everyone, Today we're talking about Atlantic salmon. Atlantic salmon are found in the north Atlantic and the rivers that flow into it. They can grow up to a meter long and are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN . Atlantic salmon start their lives in rivers. The pea-sized eggs are laid in autumn and hatch in April or May. The tiny salmon are called alevins. They feed on aquatic invertabrates and eventually devolop into parr. Parr are easily recognised by destinictive patterns and markings on their flanks. After up to several years, the parr develop a silvery sheen. These replace those characteristic parr markings. Their bodies change in preparation for the salt water and they are now called smolts. They swim downstream with the current all the way to the ocean. In the deep sea waters, the smolts feed on crustaceans and small fish for 15-50 months. However they are hunted by a number of predators including, sharks, seals and of ...

19.07.2020: Animal of the week: Honey Bees

Hi everyone, This week's animal is the honey bee. Enjoy! General Information An average honeybee hive is made up of one queen, hundreds of male drones and thousands of female workers. If the queen bee dies then a new queen is created. The workers select a young larva and feed it with a special food called ‘royal jelly’. The ‘royal jelly’ makes the larva grow into a fertile queen. Queens live for several years but the workers only live for five or six weeks. An average worker will make a twelfth of a tee spoon of honey during her entire life. Drones are turned out of the hive and left to die in Autumn. In the summer months, the queen bee is very busy, she can lay up to 2500 eggs in a single day. How they affect the world around them Honey bees are very important for flowers, fruit and vegetables. This comes from the fact that they are pollinators. They help the plants by transferring pollen between male and female parts, meaning the plants can g...

The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg | review & thoughts

Hi Everyone! You may be aware that Wednesday was International Women's Day, so today I wanted to share a book review for a book written by one of the most inspiring women of our generation: Greta Thunberg. She is, of course, the legendary creator of the Fridays For Future movement and has inspired thousands of children to skip school on Fridays to protest for the climate. She recently compiled a book, simply entitled: The Climate Book. Here are my thoughts. This is a compilation of articles and essays from the best climate scientists, activists and high-profile people, which makes up, in my opinion, the climate bible . It quite literally encompasses everything you may want to know about the climate crisis, from the science, to how it affects us, what we've done and have yet to do, and so much more. This book is everything. I have not yet read the whole thing, because let me tell you, this book is HUGE. It's also of course very den...

Palm Oil

Hi everyone, Today we would like to share with you some information about palm oil. With all the focus on climate change and plastic pollution, not many people are acting against the use of palm oil. Workers First of all, the managers promise that the workers will have good money, but when they arrive, their passports are taken from them, therefore, meaning they are trapped. Soon they find out that they aren't paid as well as promised. They have to work long hours with no breaks, maternity leave or sick days. Some people have to spray pesticides with leaking cans and no safety gear, meaning they become ill but are still forced to work. Deforestation Many animals are losing their home because the trees are chopped down to make room for the palm trees. they are now facing extinction. Also, trees helped to slow down climate change, but without them, climate change speeds up. So this is a big problem. Help your planet! Image:...

April Top Tips: ten tips for environmentally friendly travel

Hi Everyone! We haven't been very present on the blog again recently but we are back today with ten top tips for environmentally friendly travel. Most forms of travel over long distances (unless you are willing to put in a lot of physical effort) use fossil fuels and are generally not good for our planet. So today we will be giving you a few tips which although won't mean that your travel is 100% planet friendly, will be a good start to doing as much as you can. Your Green World Blog Team💚 1. Use trains and boats rather than planes where possible Planes are awful for the environment. They are, however, extremely practical and so easy to use, cheap...It's hard to avoid them! They are so quick too so you don't have to spend as much time travelling. However, they are really bad for the environment. For example, you could fly once to Edinburgh from Heathrow for the same carbon dioxide levels as driving to Edinburgh 336 times! 2. Fly...

Green World

Search This Blog