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You might ask “how does food contribute the climate change?” In fact, food is one of the largest greenhouse gas sources. Nearly one-third of the greenhouse gas emission comes from our food system, which includes not only food production, but also transportation, preparation, consumption, and deposition.
The largest contributor is land use and agriculture. Among them, methane gas from cattle’s digestion process is the largest. In agriculture, some fertilizers also emit nitrous oxide that retains the heat. Deforestation for land used in agriculture and livestock also increases carbon dioxide, since there will be fewer trees absorbing it. Rice cultivation, burning of crop residual, and use of farm fuel also emit greenhouse gas.
Other processes in the food system can also contribute to climate change. Refrigeration and transportation of food can emit greenhouse gases. Refrigerators usually use chemicals called HFCs and HCFCs, which are extremely potent greenhouse gases. Trucks used to deliver food are also powered by fossil fuels. Landfill of food waste is another contributor.
Among all foods, meat production generates the highest greenhouse emission. Livestock needs extensive grassland, which often is transformed from the forest. After digesting plants and grass, cows and sheep emit methane gas. The cattle’s waste also emits nitrous oxide. Shrimp farms are often transformed from mangrove forests, which absorb tons of carbon dioxide. However, plant-based food products such as fruits and vegetables, generally have a smaller carbon footprint.
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