The impacts of your diet

- The last time you went to lunch with colleagues, what were you think about when you decided what to order? Were you thinking about the daily lunch specials? Whether you wanted to save room for dessert? What about the ecological footprint of your food choice? You might be surprised to know that what we eat and how we grow food has a bigger impact on the planet's landscapes, water resources and climate than anything else we do. Picture the continents on our planet. Agriculture uses up about 40% of our planet's land area. Drives 70% of our freshwater withdrawals. And produces 25% of our heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, mainly through deforestation, methane emissions from cattle and rice fields, and nitrous oxide from using too much fertilizer. Agriculture also drives species extinctions and damages sensitive ecosystems. There is no landscape on our planet that hasn't felt our impact, in large part, due to agricultural activity. And animal agriculture is a big part of the story. Remember how 40% of our planet's land area is in agricultural production? Well, 75% of that land is used to raise animals or produce feed for animals. Our diets, especially those heavy with animal products, have outsized impacts on water resources and climate change. Wow. That's a lot to think about. So, what are the solutions? You don't have to give up meat altogether to reduce your ecological footprint. Simply shifting from red to white meat can be extremely helpful. The water footprint of a hamburger is nearly four times larger than the water footprint of a chicken burger. And the water footprint of a veggie burger made from black beans is even lower. So, what about trying out plant-based meals in your diet? Or, incorporating meatless Mondays in your cafeteria? These opportunities provide you a chance to eat delicious, plant-based treats. When you get food catered, try ordering plant-based options from the catering menu. I've grown to love food with lower carbon footprints, like lentils and beans. With so many options, the question of what everyone should be eating at the world's dinner table can seem daunting. I know that dietary changes are tricky. Diets are profoundly personal and cultural. I grew up in Wisconsin, where I worked at a cheese factor and ate a lot of dairy. Like any behavioral changes, be patient, and don't expect major changes to happen overnight. We are all on our own sustainability journeys, and I encourage you to take a moment to consider one action you could take today to reduce the environmental impact of your diet at home or at work. Let's do this.