How does the food that we eat relate to global warming?

Agriculture emits greenhouse gases in a number of ways. A lot of the emissions are created just by the production, packaging, and transport of pesticides and fertilizers. When these chemicals are applied to cropland they cause erosion and pollute water sources, both of which also emit greenhouse gases.

Tractors, irrigation pumps, lighting, and other types of machinery that are used on industrial farms contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Also, livestock generate greenhouse gases in several ways. Their waste is often stored in large pits called "manure lagoons" which emit methane - a potent greenhouse gas. Cattle also emit methane as part of their digestive process. And, most U.S. livestock are fed grains and oilseeds which need to be refined in energy intensive processing centers that also pollute the atmosphere.

After food is grown it is packaged and transported an average of 1,500 miles!* These stages in food production use large amounts of fossil-fuel that contribute to global warming.

The Cool Foods Campaign has collected a significant amount of scientific data which has been used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gases emitted through each stage of our food system. These calculations show which types of foods are responsible for the most greenhouse emissions and which types are the most sustainable.