10 billion is the amount of humans that'll be living on planet Earth in 2050. We all know that throughout the years the number of births has been constantly increasing while the number of deaths has been stable: for every person that dies, about two babies are born. That fact is becoming a real problem when the habits of consumers are going to play a part. Globally speaking our standard of life is rising which gives us the freedom of living and consuming better at the expense of social and environmental aspects of our societies. Not only are natural resources being depleted, but also 30% of our planet's greenhouse gasses are emitted by the food industry. To increase awareness of this global problem, Global Footprint Network has introduced Earth Overshoot Day, a day where humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. In 2020 this day fell on August 22 and in 2021 it was on July 29. Unfortunately that day is likely to come sooner and sooner. To slow down our disastrous impacts on our ecosystem we inevitably have to change our consumption patterns. So, what do you plan to do to improve?
In order to lead you to better consumption on a daily basis, we will give you some advice.
Reduce your waste
One simple daily action you can easily adopt into your kitchen habits. Sorting our waste is nowadays essential to promote recycling and to be part of a circular approach. You can also choose re-usable products and packaging that allow you to avoid disposable objects in our trash every time you reuse. If you’ve got access to a garden you could compost what’s left of your food. Doing this ecological action allows you to recycle your organic waste into organic soil for a better development of your green space. And for people who live in an apartment, how can they do that? Don't worry, there’s a solution thanks to a small interior compost bin that you can put in your kitchen. It allows you to process your waste without any smell and in a record time of 24 hours. For more information, click here.
Another waste recycling trend is the revalorization of used biological products. You can participate with this anti wasting approach from your home by processing vegetable peelings into chips or stale bread into croutons for salad. It’s important to know that most entrepreneurs are environment-minded. That’s the case with Barley’s, a Brussels startup that makes healthy dog food based on barley grains discarded by breweries. Rich in fiber and proteins, these products are ideal for complementing your dog's diet by guaranteeing happy moments that are 100% natural. If you want more information, you can visit their website
Favoring vegetable proteins
And yes, it’s an efficient solution, because 1 kg of beef takes 15,000 liter of water while 1 kg of soy grains only takes 1800 liter. For meat lovers it can be a true challenge to trade in their steak for vegetable protein based dishes. But it does minimize the environmental effects. Besides, the nutritional value of these alternatives are interesting for our body and reduce the use of fertilizers. In order to progressively turn to this type of diet, there is flexitarianism. This way you eat vegetable dishes on a daily basis, but meat only occasionally. The upsides? The preservation of our environment, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and obesity, the reduction of food costs, the ease of following this life pattern and many more.
Choose for bulk
Many stores offer the opportunity to buy in the right quantities according to your needs thanks to their bulk sales services. All you have to do is grab your containers and bags and buy only what you want. Many people assume you can only buy certain products in bulk, but purchasing has been diversified. Whether it’s solid food (starches, legumes, dried fruits...) or liquid products (oil, vinegar...) and even household products (dish soap, detergent...). The opinion on the budget question remains divided, but let’s not forget that multiple bulk products are generally speaking biological which is why their prices are higher. You save 15% on your shopping cart (comparing equal products). When choosing the alternative zero-waste, you help reduce the over-packaging of products and you reduce your carbon footprint which the collection of packaging causes.
Follow the seasons
Even if our desires are strongly influenced by the variety of distributors’ supply, our bodies need specific nutritional values that are corresponding to the seasons. When going to the supermarket, we have to be wary when choosing fruits and vegetables corresponding to the season. You can search online to confirm you’re making the right choices. In that case, the taste and quality will be even better. Also, don’t forget that off season products are generally sprayed with pesticides to allow them to grow and to compensate for what they miss out on sunlight. However, they are the cause of many health problems, such as cancer and ecological problems when they end up in the water supply, for example.
Eat locally
If you say local, you say vicinity. The reduction of distance and middlemen are obvious when you buy from local growers. This way, you reduce your carbon footprint while contributing to the development of the region's economy. The trend of locavorism, a term that describes the consumption of food produced within 250 km of your home, is progressively becoming part of consumers’ habits with the main goal being quality and tasty products. The impulse to consume differently and better is the core of the Good Food strategy, which is more than just a slogan but a real voluntary public policy supported by the Brussels-Capital Region and addresses all aspects of food. Their dual ambition: "produce better" by promoting small local producers and "eat well" by making healthier food accessible to all. Visit their website to learn more about it: here
These tips are more than just an ecological approach, they will also save you money. Want to become an environment-minded citizen to ensure a better future? Let's act together and quickly!
