5 things you can do today

"The real war against climate is being fought on our plates, multiple times a day with every food choice we make," says Nil Zacharias, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of One Green Planet, "one of the biggest challenges facing our planet, and our species is that we are knowingly eating ourselves into extinction, and doing very little about it."

As the leading organization at the forefront of the conscious consumerism movement, it is One Green Planet's view that our food choices have the power to heal our broken food system, give species a fighting chance for survival, and pave the way for a truly sustainable future.

We can all make a difference right now to help the planet step back from the point of no return by eating less of meat and dairy products and putting more plant-based foods on our plates. By choosing to eat more plant-based foods you can drastically cut your carbon footprint, save precious water supplies and help ensure that vital crop resources are fed to people, rather than livestock. With the wealth of plant-based options available, it has never been easier to eat with the planet in mind.

[One Green Planet]

Becoming a demitarian

First, we were urged to become locavores - people who eat food from their local area. 

Now there is a new word to consider - "demitarian" - for people who eat half as much meat as usual. 

Eating less meat may be easier than you thought. In fact, most Americans ate significantly less meat 10 years ago, even less meat 20 years ago, and less again for each decade you go back in time. We eat 5 times more meat today than we did just 100 years ago. 

Americans eat 50 pounds more chicken per capita per year today when compared to the 50's. We eat 10 pounds more turkey, 5 pounds more fish and 12 pounds more beef per capita per year than we did in the 50's. [USDA Factbook] [USDA ERS]

"Eat meat, but less often – make it special," he urged. "Portion size is key. Many portions are too big, more than you want to eat. Think about saying, 'I like the taste, but I don't need so much.'"

By filling plates with vegetables as well as the meat, people will be better nourished. "Most people don't notice," he said, citing a recent event at which the chef used less meat and more vegetables.

Both you and our planet will be happier and healthier. [Guardian]