Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

If you’re a calorie counter, chances are you pay close attention to the nutritional facts mandated on food products. It’s always a little more unnerving to consume an entire candy bar after you read that it contains 400 calories and 24 grams of fat. No thanks. What if your candy bar nutrition facts also included the C02 emitted in its production process? That might be enough to kill your appetite.

This summer, Sweden became the first country to include carbon output associated with food products, ranging from veggies to fast food. Carbon facts are showing up in grocery stores and restaurants around the country. Experts say that making simple changes to what you eat can be just as effective as changing your driving habits or limiting you energy usage at home. It turns out that watching what you eat may do more than just benefit your waistline – you might help reduce the impact of climate change.

The new green dietary guidelines propose substituting carrots for cucumbers, chicken or beans for beef and limiting fish consumption because of the current European shortage in seafood. While the Swedish concept is still in the trial stage, and consumers are still trying to figure out what exactly the carbon numbers on nutrition labels actually mean,  Swedish experts are optimistic that eco-conscious dining will cut energy emissions. Current studies show that if Swedes buy with carbon emissions in mind, they could cut their energy consumption by up to 50 percent.

Re-thinking they way we eat and how it affects the environment is not just a Swedish phenomenon, it may be coming to the U.S. too. Superstore chain, Walmart, may be known for their less than stellar labor practices, but they’re rapidly trying to become an environmentally saavy company. Who would have thought? Walmart’s developing sustainability index will require companies that sell products to Walmart to disclose their carbon footprint by releasing how sustainable they are in terms of energy and climate, material efficiency, natural resources, and community. The information will be displayed on each Walmart product, letting consumers know that product’s carbon output. Maybe old Walmart will change their name to Wal"green". Wait, that one’s taken.

It may be a while until the global community buys into carbon labeling, but there are ways you can "green" your diet. Buy locally. Buy fewer products packaged in plastic. Whenever possible avoid using those plastic grocery store bags – ask for paper or invest in some reusable bags.

To calculate your food’s carbon emissions, check out the Bon Appetite Carbon Calculator. For other ways to save energy and cut carbon emissions, get informed on the We Can Solve it site and become part of the solution to global warming.

Photo by gwire, flickr.