Last Tuesday, Greenpeace published a report regarding the impact of agriculture on climate change. The findings are dramatic: agriculture can generate up to one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and represents the second greatest polluting human activity in the world, following the energy sector.
In Quebec, the industry’s two main sources of emissions are the use of chemical fertilizers and intensive animal farming. Our meat consumption is increasing year after year, and, as a result, animal farming is experiencing considerable growth.
At this point, I can almost picture your long faces: Do I really need to become a vegetarian because Greenpeace said so in its report? The problem is not so much that we eat meat, but rather that we eat too much of it. At one point, I was a strict vegetarian, but for a number of reasons, I’m not now. That being said, my family and I eat only a moderate amount of meat – a few times a month or more if it is from Quebec.
There is no doubt that organic food represents one of the best solutions available to us today. Not only is it better for our health – since it is free of GMOs and pesticide – but it is also better for the health of our soils for the same reasons.
Buying local is another solution that features many advantages. For one thing, food is at its freshest given the proximity factor. In addition, this practice supports regional economic development and it considerably decreases emissions resulting from the transportation and packaging of merchandise. Even better, you can combine both solutions by purchasing locally grown organic food.
To support these initiatives, farming practices must, however, undergo serious changes. Governments must act quickly and adopt measures to promote a more environment-friendly agricultural industry. If these measures are backed by public policies that focus on healthier eating habits, we will have all the ingredients on hand to reverse the trend and make sure agriculture begins to contribute to the fight against climate change.
