Food Waste & Climate Change: What’s the Connection?
Did you know that food waste is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than even the aviation sector?
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, close to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are a direct result of food waste, while jets and commercial airlines represent just 2-3%.
Greenhouse gases are pollutants that accumulate in the Earth’s atmosphere and trap heat. This process, known as the greenhouse effect, accelerates the warming of the atmosphere, worsening the harmful effects of climate change. These effects include more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events. Methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas, is emitted in large amounts from food waste, making this type of waste a significant environmental concern.
Based on statistics provided by the World Wildlife Fund, in the U.S. alone, food waste creates what would be equivalent to nearly 33 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that this figure may actually be as high as 50 million vehicles.
This wasted food overwhelmingly ends up in landfills, where it breaks down into methane - a natural gas. In some countries, like the United States, food waste actually contributes more methane emissions (nearly 60%) to the environment than “any other landfilled material” - (EPA).
The specific danger with methane emissions is that they represent a greater ‘warming potential’ than nearly any other greenhouse gas - trapping more than 80x the heat of even carbon dioxide. Danielle Melgar, a Food & Agriculture advocate formerly with Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG), also notes that ground-level ozone pollution (indirectly caused by methane) results in nearly a million premature deaths globally.
Ground-level ozone is created through indirect chemical reactions that happen between human-made pollutants and the Earth’s atmosphere. This type of ozone is harmful - and contributes to both respiratory and cardiovascular issues in vulnerable populations.
The relationship between food waste and climate change is a direct one. As more food (and other organic waste) ends up in landfills, the quicker the planet’s atmosphere will continue to absorb heat at record levels.
Unfortunately, addressing the issues caused by this relationship isn’t so simple.
By tackling food waste on all fronts—through personal responsibility, corporate accountability, and legislative action— more meaningful strides are made toward a more sustainable future with less waste. Every crop that doesn’t go to waste, every policy enacted, and every step toward smarter food production adds up to make a significant impact.
When it comes to climate-related issues (like plastic and food waste), individuals can often feel powerless. While corporate and legislative changes are still essential, making more sustainable personal choices as consumers is also key. Habits like shopping more efficiently - only buying what is needed - and freezing surplus food can directly reduce local food waste and create immediate positive effects.
While legislative progress is definitely being made with policies like SB1383 and the Food Date Labeling Act, it’s these changes in conjunction with actions at the consumer level that will have the most lasting impact.
Still - governments and legislators around the world need to seriously consider the impact of more large-scale sustainable food production and recovery initiatives, especially as climate change shows no signs of slowing down.
Replate participated in a Food Date Labeling/Food Waste webinar last year - check it out!
To learn more about SB1383, click here.