**Food systems and their impact on the environment:**

* **Greenhouse gas emissions:** Food production, processing, transportation, and waste generation contribute to a substantial portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. * **Biodiversity loss:** Intensive agricultural practices, deforestation, and habitat fragmentation are major drivers of biodiversity loss in food systems. * **Land and water degradation:** Overuse of land, unsustainable water management practices, and soil erosion are contributing to land and water degradation in food systems. * **Impacts on human health:** Food systems can negatively impact human health through factors like food insecurity, malnutrition, and exposure to harmful chemicals.

Sustainable eating goes beyond just reducing food waste. It encompasses a broader range of practices that aim to minimize the environmental impact of food choices. This includes:

* **Choosing local and seasonal produce:** Buying food that is grown closer to home reduces transportation costs and emissions, and supports local farmers.

* **Social and cultural norms:** Our food choices are often shaped by tradition, family, and community. These factors can make it difficult to break free from established eating habits. * **Economic factors:** The cost of plant-based foods can be higher than that of animal-based foods, especially in certain regions. This can create a barrier to adopting a plant-based diet. * **Lack of access to information:** Many people lack access to reliable information about the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets. This can make it difficult to make informed choices.

1. **Understand your food system:** This involves learning about the journey of your food from farm to table. Understanding the environmental impact of different food choices is crucial.