World Environment Day

June 5th is World Environment Day, aimed at raising global awareness about the need to take positive environmental action. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme. This year’s theme is ‘Think.Eat.Save.’

WorldEnvironDay13-UN

Every year an incredible amount of food is wasted (1.3 billion tonnes according to the UN). This year’s theme encourages us all to become more aware of the environmental footprint of our eating habits and things we can do to help the environment and those who go hungry by making better decisions around food. The obvious solutions to reducing food waste are buying more thoughtfully, eating what you already have in the house before it goes off, storing foods better so they last longer, ordering food for your needs rather than your wants (or just for the taste-buds!). A good rule is never go grocery shopping on an empty stomache!

If we want to eat compassionately, there are other powerful steps we can take that help in so many ways. Giving up meat, buying organic/free range/cruelty free, putting your money into the cruelty free and green economy rather than those areas where the environmental cost is higher. There are so many ways to influence the economic process for the better. Think about the following statistics:

• 1000 litres of water to produce 1 litre of milk

• 16,000 litres of water produces 1 hamburger

• 25% of the world’s habitable land is taken by food production

• Food production land takes 70% of fresh water use, is 80% of deforestation, 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, is the largest driver of biodiversity loss (source – UN)

“Do not think a small sin will not return in your future lives. Just as falling drops of water will fill a large container, the little sins that steadfast accumulate will completely overwhelm you. Do not think a small virtue will not return in your future lives. Just as falling drops of water will fill a large container, the little virtues that steadfast accumulate will completely overwhelm you.”

Shakyamuni Buddha