• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Food

4 ways to combat climate change with a fork

2:45
Dad and daughter feed over 270,000 people with proceeds from novel
Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE
ByKaila Nichols
November 05, 2021, 8:19 PM

As leaders from nearly every country in the world converge upon Glasgow, Scotland, for COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference -- the climate crisis is at center stage, as well as the way food is eaten and produced.

Related Articles

MORE: What to know about the new OSHA vaccine mandate, and how it will impact you

Some estimates show that a quarter of all planet-warming greenhouse gases come from food production, according to a 2018 study in the journal Science. Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are nearly twice those of plant-based foods, according to a 2021 study in the journal, Nature Food. Close to 60% of food emissions come from meat production alone, compared to 29% for plant-based foods, the study found.

While "meatless Monday" and meat substitutes like Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat are gaining popularity, our choices when we do eat meat need to be strategic, according to Sujatha Bergen, the health Ccampaigns director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.

"There are very easy ways to fight climate change with your fork," said Bergen, who shared with "Good Morning America" four tips that you can do to help the planet with your food choices.

An employee at Epic Burger prepares a plant-based Beyond Burger at their restaurant on Feb. 25, 2020, in Chicago.
Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images, FILE

1. Eliminate 1 burger a week from your diet

“If all Americans were to cut just a burger a week out of their diet, that would save as much emissions as taking 10 million cars off the road every year. So we're talking about a huge impact with just a very small change,” she said.

Though it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how many burgers Americans consume in a week on average, a 2018 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that Americans eat more chicken, red meat, eggs and grains than the recommended daily allowances.

2. Eat along the spectrum

Conventionally raised beef is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases by far, with lamb, shrimp, pork and farmed fish rounding out the top five highest emitters of greenhouse gasses, according to Bergen. “Beef and lamb are on one end of the spectrum and things like beans and vegetables are on the other end. So the more you can shift your diet along the spectrum, the better,” Bergen adds.

Editor’s Picks

How climate change affects the globe

  • Sep 18, 2021

Chef Jamie Oliver shows family how to make go-to meals greener

  • Nov 04, 2021

Easy hacks and recipes to use up food scraps and reduce waste

  • Apr 27, 2023

3. Use meat as a condiment

Another way to reduce your meat consumption is to use it as a condiment. Bergen says to think about this in terms of a pizza.“You're going to sprinkle it with maybe a little bit of meat to add some flavor, but it's not necessarily the primary feature of your dish.” The same goes for stir frys, for example. There are lots of options to implement this change.

4. Turn food waste into fertilizer by composting

Thirty precent of food is wasted. Experts say you should buy loose produce in just the quantity you need. You can freeze vegetables and meat scraps for soups and compost whenever possible to prevent greenhouse gases like methane from being produced. “So it's a fun, kind of garden-friendly way to fight climate change,” Bergen said.

Related Topics

  • Climate Change

Editor’s Picks

How climate change affects the globe

  • Sep 18, 2021

Chef Jamie Oliver shows family how to make go-to meals greener

  • Nov 04, 2021

Easy hacks and recipes to use up food scraps and reduce waste

  • Apr 27, 2023

Up Next in Food—

Public to get chance to weigh in on plastic vs. paper straws under proposed Trump administration rule

July 18, 2025

State Department addresses decision to destroy 500 tons of emergency food

July 17, 2025

American Express to open new airport lounge concept Sidecar, plus new menu from top chefs

July 16, 2025

Free ice cream, discounts and more for National Ice Cream Day

July 16, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News