Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, the GoodPlanet Foundation, founded by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, partnered on a dynamic awareness campaign: "The Solution is on the Plate." Food drives 27% of French households' carbon footprint—surpassing transport (26%) and housing (24%).
The campaign offers 60 actionable solutions, backed by 100 real-world examples showing anyone can make a difference, regardless of age, location, or lifestyle. Here are six expert tips to get started:
Fruits and vegetables thrive in their natural seasons, much like summer and winter sports. Unless you're in the tropics, opt for in-season produce. Tomatoes, for instance, don't grow in winter; out-of-season ones are often imported by plane or grown in energy-intensive heated greenhouses.
An out-of-season imported fruit by plane uses 10-20 times more fuel than local, seasonal options. Even local greenhouse tomatoes emit 20 times more greenhouse gases than those grown naturally in season.
Tip: Memorize seasonal charts to sharpen your memory and menu planning. Right now, enjoy tomatoes, carrots, artichokes, pomegranates, or quinces. Check Marmiton's practical "Seasonal Recipes" page for delicious ideas.
French adults average 55 kg of meat yearly, but animal products account for nearly two-thirds of food-related greenhouse gases.
Producing 1 kg of beef requires 15,000 liters of water and emits as much CO2 as driving 150 km. Shift toward veggies, grains, and plant proteins.
Tips: Skip meat at every meal—it's nutritionally unnecessary. Prefer chicken: 1 kg of beef vs. chicken? Beef equals a 150 km drive and 15,000 liters water; chicken, just 12 km and one-third the water. Rank meats by carbon impact: veal > beef > lamb > pork > duck > chicken.
French households generate 458 kg of waste yearly—doubled in 40 years—with consumers causing 40% of food waste. It's an ecological and financial drain, as this video highlights.
Solution: Make shopping lists, avoid hungry trips (they spur impulse buys), and use apps like Zéro-Gâchis (nearby quick-sale items) or Frigo Magic (leftover recipes).
France sees 5 million tons of household packaging annually—much unnecessary. Why buy pre-peeled carrots when peeling takes 5 minutes, saves money, and tastes better?
Solution: Pick unpackaged or recyclable options. Bulk sections for pasta, nuts, grains save 10-45% and cut 52 kg of annual waste—equivalent to 20,000 ping-pong balls.
1.5 liters of bottled water daily for a year equals driving 1,500 km; tap water, just 1.5 km.
Solution: Use the tap sparingly, or invest in a filter jug and recycle cartridges.
Household energy use quadrupled in 30 years; cooking is 7% of home consumption. Check energy labels when buying.
Solution: Fill freezer gaps with ¾-full water bottles to stabilize temperature. Ensure oven seals are intact—faulty ones hike energy use by 30%.
Explore more at www.goodplanet.org.
