@Climate.vocal
1. Why and how we should be thinking about our climate:
Hello everyone and welcome to Climate Vocal – the foodprint challenge I will be embarking on for the following month!
I know 2020 is a seemingly stressful and shocking year so far- with the world in pandemic, perhaps the last thing you probably want is to be thinking about the climate crisis, but I personally think it is an imperative time to be doing so. The coronavirus has had devastating effects on global trade and the economy but the impacts on the environment have been unprecedentedly positive. We’ve seen huge reduction in carbon emissions from cuts in certain sectors e.g. aviation (no more ghost flights – yay!) and even at state level e.g. China’s 25% carbon dioxide cuts which brought less traffic and cleaner air with only a small reduction in economic growth. While I understand the coronavirus is in no way something to be welcomed, this outbreak has proven:
1. We as societies and economies, are able to survive without consuming, trading and growing at the rate governments and economists want us to.
2. Governments DO have the money (e.g. the magical £30Bn funds which have suddenly appeared to bolster our economy) as well as all the scientific and technological capability to combat this crisis.
3. Individuals and businesses have proven their ability to act with urgency, change habits and truly CARE for each other and our communities as fellow human beings.
My hope is that we can use this moment to reflect on our actions, inspire long-term behavioural changes, with the same urgency to overcome this climate crisis as this outbreak has caused. However, as I’ve learnt from the great Hindu Ibrahim and Mary Robinson, a key part of this endeavour is to MAKE IT PERSONAL. Unfortunately, attending rallies and protests and posting images of the burning amazon on Instagram isn’t enough. To truly see the change, each and every one of us must take action that makes us FEEL the change. Reducing your carbon footprint may involve less flights, less plastic, less clothing, veganism, or cleaner energy. Whatever it is, our consumption habits (yes that means our amazon bills too) have got to change, and whilst it doesn’t always seem cheap, easy and fun, I am here to show you how it can be!
My personal actions to date include:
- Almost eliminating my clothing consumption, but keeping it 99% secondhand if necessary
- Cycling, walking and making cuts in detty transport where I can (incl reducing flights / hols)
- political advocacy and working with organisations including divestment campaigns to fight for the cause as well as continuing to spread awareness on the topic.
- Veganism.
I urge everyone to join me where you can in those actions. Whether it means boycotting fast fashion brands such as boohoo, or switching to a more plant based diet a few times a week – whatever it is, if you feel the impact on your life, you will truly become part of the solution.
2. What is project Climate Vocal:
To show solidarity in making these habitual changes, I have chosen to embark on a mission to further reduce my carbon foodprint. Food production is responsible for one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Yet reducing your foodprint can be complex, as carbon is released at all stages of production: growing, feeding, farming, raising, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing. However, switching to a more plant based diet is always the best solution (eating a single 8-oz steak produces as much greenhouse gas as driving 22 kilometres!). To personally reduce my carbon footprint further, I am attempting to continue with my vegan diet whilst ensuring that all the food I consume for the next month is solely sourced in the UK.
So how much of our food is local? 20%. Yes, a whopping 80% of food in the UK is imported. Although this figure appears large and daunting if you equate climate damage to distance travelled, you would be misled. Often it is more environmentally friendly to buy and ship food from another country, if it’s grown naturally and travelled by rail, road, or sea. Imported food really doesn’t mean automatic climate destruction except once the cargo is transported via air. Then the carbon emissions increase tenfold!! Air freight food includes lots of vegans favourite fresh fruit and veg from pineapples, mangos, peas to salad vegetables.
Since I lack the capability of recognising the transport via which food is imported, to eliminate my consumption of all air freighted foods, I will simply be eliminating all imported foods from my diet altogether. The only exceptions I will be making are my weekday catered dinner for the last few weekdays i’m in halls, Tea, Coffee and spices. During the month-long experiment I will greatly be looking forward to meeting and supporting local and independent suppliers as well as highlighting where our supermarket-bought foods are located.
3. Disclaimer:
Eating locally would not be the most efficient way to reduce most peoples carbon footprint. Also, this little project is not necessarily sustainable (I’m only doing it for a month) as it is especially challenging as a vegan, given that British farming is centred on the meat and dairy industry.
I must stress, I am doing this as a challenge to inspire people to make changes they will actually feel in their day to day lives, as I will definitely be feeling this change. If I can urge anyone to change their actions I prioritise: veganism, clean energy, bicycles and boycotting: fast fashion, flights, plastic, and over-amazoning, over the local diet.
4. Purpose: We must feel the change to make the change
I want to raise awareness about climate change.
I want to show and shock you with how much food we might be allowing to fly to our plates.
I want to prove to you how cheap, cheerful and delicious veganism can be (although my potato heavy dishes might get a bit montonous).
I want to connect with my community and support local farmers.
And I want to show you how now is the time, we must all make personal changes to our lives that we actually feel the effect of, if we truly want to save our earth.
Please follow, share and support my journey: @climate.vocal on instagram.
My aim is to spread awareness, educate and inspire people to make personal changes that will help the fight for the climate. I am also raising money for the Environmental Justice Foundation in support of climate refugees – the climate crisis is already costing mass displacement and lives. If you support my journey please show your support in a donation to EJF to help those fighting on the frontlines today.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/natalie-kaza
Thank you for your kind attention and support!
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