The term "carbon footprint" is used to describe the amount of greenhouse gases produced by a substance or activity. It is expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (the amount of carbon dioxide that will have the same effect on climate change). It is calculated by adding up the emissions from each stage of the life cycle of a product or service (material production, production, use stage and end-of-life). Many things that come to mind right now actually have a carbon footprint and cause greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental awareness and willingness to go the extra mile to reduce its carbon footprint have increased over the past year. A survey shows that 85 percent of us are now making more sustainable lifestyle choices, and according to supermarket chain Waitrose, 70 percent of shoppers now consider the carbon footprint of their food. This means that an increase in low- or zero-waste food options is expected.
As eco-friendly foods grow in popularity, harmful ones will continue to be excluded – we're looking at you palm oil! Palm oil production not only destroys rainforests, but its high saturated fat content links it to heart disease, liver dysfunction, obesity and type 2 diabetes. And now, new research shows that palmitic acid in palm oil may even promote the metastatic spread of cancer.
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