Can a climatarian diet help save the planet?

It’s thinking critically about where your food comes from and changing the way you eat where required. Often beef and dairy consumption is limited, due to the significant carbon footprint the cattle industry leaves on the planet. Meat, in general, demands more resources like water, fuel and land (and contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity) than plant-based foods.

A climatarian diet involves more plant-based meals, or low-carbon meats like organic free-range chicken and sustainably sourced seafood. Along with being better for the planet, it’s good for your health too; switching out red meat in favour of plant-based proteins like nuts, tofu and lentils may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. 

It’s also about changing how you buy food. Not only does it encourage eating with the seasons, which has a whole host of benefits, climatarianism is also about shopping closer to home, buying goods from local markets and producers. By shopping locally, we also cut out the food miles associated with transporting food around the country, and even the world.

Although many New Zealand supermarkets have “banned the bag” and moved to reusable options only, they are still full of plastic (do we really need plastic-wrapped courgettes?). While packaging is sometimes necessary, there are ways to avoid single-use plastic, especially in the produce section. Most health food stores – and supermarkets – allow you to purchase things like grain, rice, flour and nuts in your own reusable containers. It’s also worth investing in a few reusable produce bags (or making your own) for stuff like apples, carrots and other loose fruits and vegetables.

Taking a carbon-conscious approach to eating also means using as much of what you buy as possible, so that that bag of wilted spinach or handful of squishy zucchinis doesn’t end up in landfill. Whiz leafy carrot tops into a pesto, chop fresh herbs and freeze them in ice-cube trays, or cook down vegetable scraps into a flavourful, healthy stock. Any leftover food waste should be composted, or popped in your green-waste bin. Don’t forget an old favourite for those vege leftovers…Bubble and squeak!

Starting a veggie garden can feel daunting, particularly if you don’t have much space or time! It’s surprisingly easy, and extremely satisfying, to grow your own veggies and herbs at home. All you need is a pot, a sunny position and some good soil.