Making Thanksgiving More Eco-Friendly

As we approach the holiday season, we must consider the environmental impact of our traditions. Thanksgiving, a US holiday where we gather with family and friends to express gratitude and share a meal, can significantly affect our environment. This post will explore the environmental impact of Thanksgiving and provide tips for making your celebration more eco-friendly.

The Environmental Impact of Thanksgiving

Here are some key statistics about the environmental impact of Thanksgiving:

1. An average Thanksgiving dinner produces approximately 103 pounds of carbon dioxide.
2. Four guests, each flying a 600-mile roundtrip, have a carbon footprint over ten times that of the Thanksgiving meal.
3. Potatoes, a typical Thanksgiving dish, have about one-tenth the greenhouse gas emissions of poultry on a per-calorie basis.
4. Popular Thanksgiving ingredients like pumpkin and squash have relatively low CO2 emissions. Per pound, pumpkin produces only 0.11 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions, while a 16-pound turkey emits 34.2 pounds.
5. Roughly 312 million pounds of food is wasted during Thanksgiving, resulting in approximately 103.6 billion gallons of water waste.
6. Food production for Thanksgiving generates greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving 169,000 cars for an entire year.

These statistics highlight the significant environmental impact of our Thanksgiving celebrations. However, we can reduce our carbon footprint by making mindful choices while still enjoying this festive holiday.

Turkeys and Thanksgiving

One of the key components of the traditional Thanksgiving meal is turkey. According to Insider, around 46 million turkeys are consumed in the United States on Thanksgiving. That's a staggering number, and it has a significant environmental impact. The production of these turkeys requires a massive amount of resources, including water, grain, and energy.

Food Waste

Thanksgiving is also a time of plenty, which unfortunately leads to significant food waste. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that Americans throw away approximately 200 million pounds of turkey during Thanksgiving. This waste represents a loss of valuable resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as the food decomposes in landfills.

Thanksgiving is a time of abundance and gratitude, but it's also a time when food waste can significantly increase. Here's why it's crucial to reduce food waste during Thanksgiving:

1. Conserving Resources: Food production uses a considerable amount of resources, including water, land, and energy. When food is wasted, those resources are wasted as well. For example, if we throw away a pound of beef, it's not just the wasted food but also the thousands of gallons of water used to produce it.
2. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: When organic waste like food decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the US.
3. Minimizing Financial Loss: The Natural Resources Defense Council states that the average American family throws away $1,800 worth of food each year. Families can save money by reducing food waste while contributing to environmental sustainability.
4. Alleviating Hunger: The USDA reports that in 2019, over 35 million people in the United States struggled with hunger. The food wasted during Thanksgiving could help feed those in need.
5. Promoting Sustainable Consumption: Reducing food waste encourages mindful consumption and appreciation for our food system, which aligns with the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Here are some ways to reduce food waste during Thanksgiving:

• Plan Ahead: Make a detailed shopping list based on the number of guests and portion sizes.
• Use Leftovers Creatively: Plan for how to use leftovers in new meals.
• Store Food Properly: Learn how to store different types of food to extend their freshness.
• Compost: Composting food scraps can turn waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Reducing food waste during Thanksgiving benefits the planet and aligns with the spirit of gratitude and appreciation that defines the holiday.

Travel and Its Impact

Beyond the food waste and turkey consumption, there's another significant contributor to the environmental impact of Thanksgiving: travel. According to Climate Central, a single person traveling by car emits approximately 0.802 lbs of CO2 per mile. Meanwhile, Stanford University reports that aviation, a major culprit of global climate change, sees increased demand around Thanksgiving.

Additionally, the National Environmental Education Foundation states that in 2021, transportation was responsible for 28% of all US greenhouse gas emissions, more than any other sector.

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving

Choose Organic or Free-Range Turkeys

Choosing an organic or free-range turkey can help reduce the environmental impact of your Thanksgiving meal. These turkeys are raised without the use of antibiotics and are given access to outdoor spaces, which can lead to better animal welfare and lower environmental impact.

Reduce Food Waste

Consider the amount of food you're preparing and try to make only what you think will be eaten. Encourage guests to bring containers for leftovers, or plan to donate excess food to a local shelter or food bank.

Go Vegetarian or Vegan

If you're open to a major change, consider a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving. Even replacing one or two dishes with plant-based alternatives can make a difference.

Opting for a vegan or vegetarian diet can significantly lower your environmental footprint on Thanksgiving. Here's how:

1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: According to Canadian Geographic, 58% of food-related emissions are attributed to animal products1. A study published in Science and mentioned by Sustainable Rookie found that switching to a plant-based diet can reduce food's emissions by up to 73%.
2. Lowering Carbon Footprint: Certain plant foods have much lower carbon footprints compared to animal products. As Path of Life reported, foods like asparagus and squash create 7.33 and 0.10 of CO2 per pound, respectively.
3. Saving Water: Animal agriculture is water-intensive, both in terms of the water animals drink and the water used to grow their feed. Accuweather notes that research consistently shows that vegetarians and especially vegans have the lowest environmental footprint, including water usage.
4. Reducing Land Use: The Guardian reports that plant diets lead to 75% less greenhouse gas emissions. This is because growing crops directly for human consumption is more efficient than feeding those crops to animals and then eating the animals.
5. Preventing Pollution: Animal farming contributes to water and air pollution through waste run-off and methane emissions. A plant-based diet contributes significantly less to these forms of pollution.
6. Promoting Biodiversity: Livestock farming is a significant driver of deforestation and habitat destruction, threatening wildlife. By choosing plant-based foods, we can help to reduce this impact.

In conclusion, by opting for a vegan or vegetarian menu on Thanksgiving, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your holiday meal. Not only will this contribute to the fight against climate change, but it can also make Thanksgiving more inclusive for guests who follow these diets.

Use Reusable Tableware

Instead of using disposable plates, cups, and utensils, opt for reusable tableware. This small change can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated by your Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the bounty we have, but it's also an opportunity to think about how our celebrations impact the world around us. By making some simple changes, we can help ensure that future generations have just as much to be thankful for.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint This Thanksgiving

Here are some tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint during this holiday season:

Carpool or Use Public Transport

If possible, try to share a ride with family or friends who live nearby or take public transport. This can significantly reduce the amount of CO2 emitted per person.

Consider Virtual Gatherings

With advancements in technology, virtual gatherings have become an increasingly popular way to connect with loved ones from afar. This option eliminates travel emissions entirely.

Offset Your Carbon Emissions

If you must travel, consider purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gases your trip produces. Several organizations offer these offsets, which fund projects that reduce CO2 emissions.

Remember, every little action helps. Let's make this Thanksgiving not only a time for gratitude but also a time for sustainability.