Imagine waking up to a world where summers are scorching, storms are more violent, and cities vanish under rising seas. Sounds like science fiction? Unfortunately, it’s becoming our reality. Climate change isn’t just about melting ice caps and endangered polar bears — it’s about our food, water, homes, and health. Right now, our planet is sending distress signals, and how we respond will shape the future of life as we know it. The question is: are we ready to act before it’s too late?
Act before it’s too late
Climate change is caused by human activities and threatens life on earth as we know it.
With rising greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is occurring at rates much faster than anticipated. Its impacts can be devastating and include extreme and changing weather patterns and rising sea levels.
“To address climate change, we have to vastly raise our ambition at all levels. Much is happening around the world — investments in renewable energy have soared. But more needs to be done.
“The world must transform its energy, industry, transport, food, agriculture, and forestry systems to ensure that we can limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, maybe even 1.5°C,” said the United Nations in one of its posts.
However, there are many things that each of us can do as individuals, and one of the simplest yet most impactful steps we can take to combat climate change is by reducing our food waste.
In case you missed it, billions of tonnes of food go to waste annually, contributing significantly to environmental problems like climate change and water scarcity.
By cutting down on food waste, we not only conserve vital resources but also significantly reduce harmful emissions.
Why is food waste a problem?
As a quick note, food waste refers to edible food that is thrown away instead of being consumed. This can happen at any stage from farms to homes, including during production, transportation, at grocery stores, and in households.
According to a report by the UN Environment Programme released in April this year, Malaysians waste a staggering 8.3 million metric tonnes of food annually, with each individual contributing 259.82 kilogrammes to this troubling statistic.
Moreover, data from SWCorp Malaysia, a landfill operator in Peninsular Malaysia, stated that Malaysia witnessed the disposal of up to 17,000 tonnes of food waste daily.
Surprisingly, a significant portion of this waste, totalling 4,005 tonnes (24 per cent), remains edible and can easily feed 2.9 million people three meals a day.
While food is being wasted, millions of people around the world suffer from hunger. Hence, reducing food waste could help address this issue by better distributing resources.
Just so you are in the loop, when food is wasted, all the resources used to grow, harvest, and transport it, like water, energy, and labour, are also wasted.
Besides, when food is thrown away, it often ends up in landfills where it rots and produces methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
In case you missed it, food waste is currently one of the largest greenhouse gas contributors globally, with more than 11 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emission coming from the food system — this results in larger issues such as water pollution, air pollution, and climate change.
Food waste costs the government billions of ringgits each year, including the money spent producing food that is never eaten as well as the cost of disposing of it.
Reduce food waste, save our earth
Reducing food waste doesn’t have to be difficult; with a few mindful strategies, we can save money, reduce our environmental footprint, and make the most out of our groceries.
Here are 10 practical ways to cut down on food waste in our home and save the planet:
- Plan our meals
Before heading to the grocery store, take a few minutes to plan out our meals for the week. Create a list of what we actually need and stick to it while shopping — this prevents buying unnecessary items that may spoil before they’re used. - Organise our pantry, fridge
A well-organised kitchen helps us easily spot what we already have. Group similar items together and label leftovers. Using transparent containers helps us see what’s inside, making it easier to keep track of food before it spoils.
- Prioritise food storage
Many foods spoil because they aren’t stored properly. Keep our fruits and vegetables in separate drawers in the fridge, store potatoes and onions in cool, dark places, and freeze bread to extend its shelf life. Simple steps can make food last longer.
- Embrace leftovers
Rather than seeing leftovers as boring, think of them as an opportunity for creativity. Leftover vegetables can become part of a stir-fry, and roasted chicken can be transformed into sandwiches, soups, or salads.
- Practice the FIFO method
In grocery stores, employees rotate stock using the “First In, First Out” (FIFO) method, ensuring that older products are sold first. Apply this at home by moving older food to the front of the fridge or pantry, so it gets used before newer items.
- Buy in bulk only if necessary
While buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, it’s important to only buy large quantities of non-perishable items. Perishable foods bought in bulk can quickly lead to waste if not used in time.
- Freeze extra food
Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve food. Cook in large batches and freeze portions for future meals. Many fruits, vegetables, and even dairy products can also be frozen to prevent them from going bad.
- Use smaller portions
We often serve more food than we can actually eat. Start with smaller portions and allow for seconds if needed. This cuts down on uneaten food being thrown away after meals. - Compost our scraps
Even if food spoils or is unusable, it doesn’t have to go to waste. Composting is an environmentally friendly way to recycle organic material, turning it into rich soil for gardening. Eggshells, fruit peels, and coffee grounds are just a few items that can be composted.
- Learn to love “ugly” produce
Many fruits and vegetables are discarded because they don’t meet cosmetic standards. Buying “ugly” produce, which is often perfectly edible, helps reduce food waste and can be cheaper than buying the “pretty” versions.
Overall, reducing food waste doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes.
The goal in reducing food waste is to be more mindful of how we buy, store, and use food, ensuring that less ends up in the trash.
By adopting these simple habits, we can help decrease the amount of food that ends up in landfills, save money, and contribute to a healthier planet.
On this International Day of Climate Action, let’s take a step toward change. It starts small — pick just one or two easy strategies to reduce food waste today and make them a part of your daily routine.
Together, we can make a real impact and protect our mother earth, one mindful choice at a time.
