Food

This is the topic that becomes more iffy to discuss as many find it controversial. When most people are at a grocery store or restaurant, they don't take the time to consider just how the food they are purchasing has made it to their plate. There is a lot to consider with this topic that deals intensely with energy, water, and waste.

• Most importantly, following a vegan, plant-based diet is the best thing individuals can do in terms of food to protect the health of the environment. Following a vegan diet can lower one's food carbon footprint by 73 percent. Plant-based diets reduce energy consumption, purify the air, cleans the soil, conserves water, and much, MUCH more. The leading cause of deforestation is animal agriculture. Large amounts of forest land are destroyed to raise cattle and even more land is transformed to grow soybeans to feed these cattle instead of feeding people. Plus, veggies are delicious!
• Completely shifting your diet and lifestyle is incredibly difficult so I always like to encourage people to try small changes instead of an all or nothing approach. Even eating plant-based half of the week would have major impacts on your health and the health of the planet. I encourage you to do whatever you are capable of.
• Try to purchase predominantly local foods. A lot of produce, like bananas, mangoes, avocados, and more, are grown internationally and shipped throughout the country. Shipping these goods consumes a large number of fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases and overall contributing to climate change. Consuming only local foods can be difficult but I encourage you to try shopping for them more and visiting local farmer's markets regularly. And if that isn't possible, always read labels at supermarkets and strive to purchase minimal internationally sourced goods/produce.
• BYOE - Bring your own everything. Visit grocery stores that have a bulk section where you can bring your own bags and jars to fill with a variety of goods, free of packaging! I have been doing this for a year and a half and it is so fun and fulfilling seeing my cart free of any and all plastic. 
• 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted globally every year. To prevent food waste as best you can in your own life, figure out what you actually need and will be able to consume before the expiration date whenever you go grocery shopping. Doing so will also save you money!
• Cook at home as much as possible. If you do eat out, it's a good idea to bring a tupperware with you for any leftovers to avoid the single-use container the restaurant would provide you with instead.
• Whenever you want to pack a snack to-go, pack it in tupperware or reusable ziploc bags to avoid using single-use plastic ziploc bags.