Food Policy as Climate Policy: How Waste Reduction Can Contribute to a Greener Tomorrow
Food Policy as Climate Policy: How Waste Reduction Can Contribute to a Greener Tomorrow
April 27, 2021
Food waste is among the most significant – and overlooked – contributors to climate change today, accounting for about eight percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Indeed, if it were its own country, food waste would have the third largest carbon footprint on the planet, outweighing even that of the mass-polluting airline industry. In the United States, 30 to 40 percent of all food is wasted. When uneaten food is sent to landfills, it produces methane, an environmentally devastating greenhouse gas that is 84 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Food waste is a critical area for reform in the fight against climate change, and one that could simultaneously help to alleviate the food insecurity that plagues upwards of 35 million Americans. In order to satisfy the country’s long
AN Ellesmere Port charity has ramped up the number of meals it is providing to those in need thanks to the ongoing support of the Marks & Spencer store near Cheshire Oaks. With the countdown to Christmas now on and many experiencing financial difficulties, The Port Grocery is continuing to benefit greatly from the vital M&S food redistribution programme. A colleague app, launched at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available, helping to increase donations and stop food going to waste. More than 240,000 meals have been provided to charity groups across Cheshire using surplus food donated by M&S.