Thematic report: Sustainable Tableby Asmita Gaire | 21-12-2019 04:28 |
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 Sustainable Table is a young and innovative not-for-profit organisation that empowers people to use their shopping dollar to vote for a food system that is fair, humane, healthy and good for the environment. With up to 60% of our personal eco-footprint embodied in the food that we buy, there is no better place to start. Globally, we support projects in developing communities that help restore the natural environment and improve food security. It's website is jam-packed with information about why we need to change the way we live and eat in order to build a food system that is fair, humane, healthy and good for the environment. 10 Steps to Sustainability 1. PRIORITISE WHERE TO SHOP Follow our Ethical Shopping Pyramid for where you should shop most, through to where you should shop least. Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of food system and world you¡¯d like to be a part of. 2. INSTIGATE HOUSEHOLD MEAT-FREE DAYS A 2015 study concluded that a diet that is vegetarian 5 days a week and includes meat 2 days a week would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water and land use by about 45%. 3. BUY LOCAL, SEASONAL, ORGANIC PRODUCE Buying organic or biodynamic produce is better for the environment because no synthetic chemicals, pesticides or genetically modified organisms are used. 4. REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND BUY A COMPOST BIN If food waste were a country it would be the 3rd biggest greenhouse gas emitter after the US and China. 5. SOURCE ETHICALLY RAISED AND SUSTAINABLE MEAT AND SEAFOOD When purchasing meat or seafood (as a treat of course!) always source free range and organic options from ethical and sustainable producers 6. GROW YOUR OWN FOOD Growing your own food reduces your food miles to food steps! It reduces your contribution to climate change, enables you to eat seasonally, reduces the money you need to spend on food and gives you a greater connection with how food is grown. 7. EAT WHOLEFOODS, NOT PROCESSED FOODS Wholefoods are foods that have not been processed or fined. They include unpolished grains, fruit and vegetables and unprocessed meats. Whole foods do not contain added salt, sugar, flavouring agents or preservatives. 8. AVOID PACKAGING – ESPECIALLY NON-RECYCLABLE PLASTICS Every piece of plastic ever made is still on the planet today. It never really goes away, it simply degrades into smaller pieces and pollutes our oceans, waterways and soil. Plastic is literally choking our planet and much of this is due to food packaging. 9. REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, REPURPOSE, RECYCLE You¡¯ve heard of the 3 R¡¯s right: reduce, reuse, recycle? Well now there¡¯s 5. And did you know they¡¯re in order of preference? 1. Refuse 2. Reduce 3. Reuse 4. Repurpose 5. Recycle 10. DON¡¯T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS As a consumer you have the power to avoid purchasing items that don¡¯t fit your environmental and ethical standards. The only way that shops, restaurants and supermarkets will change what they serve or stock is if sales decline and they recognise that their customers want something else. Source: https://sustainabletable.org.au/all-things-ethical-eating/what-you-can-do/ |
