Earth Overshoot Day 2025 - How can our diet help?

Today's Earth Overshoot Day reminds us—like every year—that we are consuming our natural resources faster than they can regenerate. The way we eat also has a significant impact on the planet. A sustainable diet can not only promote our health but also help conserve the Earth's resources.

Here are some tips on how a healthy and sustainable diet can benefit both the environment and our health:

1. Choose foods with a low carbon footprint:

Animal products like meat and dairy have a high carbon footprint and can negatively affect our health, especially if we consume too much of them. Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains have a lower carbon footprint and are rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

2. Avoid food waste:

Food waste can negatively impact the environment and strain our budget. By using leftovers and properly storing food, we can reduce waste and save money. A balanced diet with a variety of foods can also help maintain a balanced nutrition that provides the nutrients our body needs.

3. Buy local and seasonal foods:

Local and seasonal foods often contain more nutrients than imported foods and can help reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Furthermore, this also supports the local economy.

4. Choose organic and fair trade products:

Organic and fair trade products can be free from harmful chemicals and reduce pesticide use. Fair trade products also ensure that the workers who grow these foods are paid fairly. Thus, a balanced diet with organic and fair trade products can help provide the body with essential nutrients while helping ensure that workers are fairly compensated.

It's important to note that it is not necessary to radically change your lifestyle overnight to live more sustainably. Small steps toward a sustainable diet can help protect the planet and our health. By focusing on consuming plant-based foods, reducing food waste, and prioritizing local, seasonal, and organic products, we can make a difference.

It's not about being perfect, but about trying to move toward a more sustainable lifestyle step by step. By focusing on the benefits for our health and the planet, we can remain motivated and inspire others to make sustainable changes.