Climate chat:Climate chat:How to cook a planet

…..or not.

Climate chat:Climate chat:Food & Climate

US Greenhouse Gas US Greenhouse Gas EmissionsEmissions

World Greenhouse Gas World Greenhouse Gas Sources Sources

IPCC 2007

Effects of GHG on Effects of GHG on AgricultureAgriculture• Crops

o While CO2 & higher temps may increase yields…

• Overall lower crop yieldso Heat waveso Droughto Flooding o Extreme weathero Increased threats from

parasites and diseaseso Decreases productivity

Vicious CircleVicious Circle

Global warming impedes food

production leading to poorer

growing conditions.

Agriculture produces greenhouse gasses, which leads to global warming

Because of poorer growing conditions,

more agricultural land is needed to farm

More land used for agriculture leads to more

global warming.

Because of global warming, we will need more land to produce the same amount of food.

Food ProductionFood Production• Accounts for 19 – 29% of greenhouse gasses• 80% of agricultural emissions are from animal

production, including animal methane emissions (14-18% of total GHGs – compare to all transportation @ 13%)

• Most deforestation is due to agriculture (livestock production accounts for 70% of it)

• Food production requires energy for: o Soil management, fertilization, pest/herb-icideso Farm machinery/irrigationo Transportation

o Agriculture is responsible for most methane and nitrous oxide emissions

COCO22 Emissions by food Emissions by foodSource: Environmental Working Group

You think the human You think the human population is increasing?population is increasing?

The world’s meat supply is growing faster than the population.

As we become wealthier, we consume more meat. Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organization

To put it in perspective…To put it in perspective…It takes the energy equivalent to 31 KWH to produce one pound of beef

The average California home uses 22 KWH of electricity per day to run their home.

To compare: 1.4 days of electricity for your home

1 pound of beef=

5,000 gallons of water are 5,000 gallons of water are

required to produce one pound required to produce one pound

of beefof beef

The same as filling 10 fifty-gallon water barrels.

Average San Diego family uses 350 gallons of water per day. One pound of beef, 14 days of water.

Is beef the hummer of the food Is beef the hummer of the food world?world?

Is meat is like a food Is meat is like a food factory in reverse?factory in reverse?

Start with a large of amount of animal food

Animal feed fed to livestock

End result, very little food produced

Meat, a bad investment: 15 units of feed to produce one unit of food

Food Waste Food Waste • 40% of food produced is wasted.• For the average US household of four,

food waste translates to $1,350 - $2,275 per year

• Additional cost (and GHG’s) in disposing of food in landfills: landfill costs, refuse pickup

• Rotting food creates methane gas, a GHG 21 times more potent than CO2

Where food waste occursWhere food waste occurs

Multiplied lossesMultiplied losses• Because of waste, more food than is

consumed must be produced

• On average 16.7 pounds of food must be produced for 10 pounds of food to be consumed (40% waste)

• Consume less, less waste.

Other Areas of Food Other Areas of Food EmissionsEmissions

• 24% - Packaging and Processing o 90% of food eaten is processed

• 12% - Transportationo Food Miles – Railway 10X more efficient than

trucking. Shipping is most efficient. Air is least efficient.

o Local food can be lower GHG, but not necessarily as food grown closer to home can be less sustainably grown, transportation is often a small % of overall energy, and freight can be very efficient.

• Organic – potential to be lower-GHG• Other: transportation to and from food store,

cooking, refrigeration, etc.

Climate chat:Climate chat:Discussion

Food & Climate

How can we How can we lower our lower our

carbon carbon ““food-food-printprint””??

1.1.Eat lessEat less((Stop eating at

80% full)

2. Eat less 2. Eat less meatmeat

Eat less meat in whatever way works for you. Cut back in each meal, eat lower on the food chain (chicken v. beef), or try Weekday vegetarian or Meatless Mondays.

Just eat healthy?Just eat healthy?

Stir-Fry: 3 ways

Veggie

Beef

Chicken

6 lbs

31 lbs

11 lbs

3. Eat fewer 3. Eat fewer processed and processed and

packaged foods, packaged foods, fewer fewer ““empty empty

caloriescalories””

4. Increase efficiency 4. Increase efficiency and decrease wasteand decrease waste

ShoppingShoppingThink about where your food comes from…

• Bring a list so you buy only what you need.

• Is the food unprocessed?

• Is it un- or minimally packaged?

• Is it seasonal?

• Is food organic?

• Is it nutritious?

• How was it transported?

• Was it grown sustainably?

• How far is the store/market?

thestoryofstuffwater

In the homeIn the home• Plan your meals

• Eat your leftovers

• Don’t let food expire

• Cook multiple dishes in the oven simultaneously

• Cut down on frozen foods

• Keep your Refrigerator/Freezer full

• Conserve water

• Eat all of the food (e.g., make soup from scraps)

• Eat at home more

Home GrownHome Grown• Home Gardens: less water

than a lawn; can control oil-based inputs (fertilizer, pesticides)

• Fruit Trees: low-water, appropriate for climate

• Grow in the home: sprouting, hydroponics, potted food plants

• Chickens: Produce eggs; consume food scraps

• Also: everyone can compost

BONUS!BONUS!A low-GHG diet is • Healthier for you & your family• Better for the environment• Kinder to animals• Delicious

Climate chat:Climate chat:Discussion,

What you can do

WhatWhat’’s Next?s Next?How each of us can make a difference…

• Make changes in our own lives and homes

• Share your knowledge and your passion on climate change with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors

• Let your elected officials and the media know that climate change requires immediate action

• Volunteer with an organization working on climate change

What’s What’s SanDiego350.org?SanDiego350.org?

• We work to increase awareness of climate change and advocate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• All-volunteer San Diego organization loosely affiliated with 350.org

• Started up in 2011 after successful 350.org “Moving Planet” event in Balboa Park

• We believe that everyone, regardless of their skills or time

available, has a role in this movement.

Education and outreach

Photo: Earthfair 2012

Photos: Lobbying members of Congress in summer, 2012 to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies (Susan Davis, above, Duncan Hunter, right)

Advocacy and lobbying for stronger climate policies

Photos: Keystone pipeline rally Feb 2013; protest of SDG&E’s proposed solar tax Jan 2012

Organizing rallies and protests to bring attention to the issues

We hope you’ll join us!

Monthly newsletter

Monthly general membership meetings third Tuesdays 6:45-8:15 pm (next is on March 19th at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 6th and Nutmeg)

Teams

THANK YOU!!

• World Resources Simulation Center

• Ocean Beach People’s Co-op

• Sierra Club San Diego

• YOU