Put your carbon footprint on a diet

May 27, 9:33 AMBoston Sustainable Food ExaminerLeah Bloom

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These days, the term "carbon footprint" is used in every field and industry.  The UK Carbon Trust defines the phrase as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product," but your carbon footprint can be broken down into even smaller, erm, bites -- including the carbon footprint generated by your eating habits.

By some estimates, the U.S. food system is responsible for at least 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gases.  This means that the choices you make about your diet have a direct impact on your carbon footprint. 

According to the New York Times, a vegetarian diet reduces your carbon footprint.  Giving up meat isn't easy, but you can also go on a low carbon diet by reducing your consumption of cheese, eating more locally grown foods, and buying less processed foods or foods with less packaging.

There are a variety of calculators out there to help you figure out your carbon footprint.  Most of them break it down into categories, including diet.  Several also allow you to "offset" your footprint by purching carbon offsets - contributions to eco-friendly projects such as wind and solar power, forestry, or hydroelectric dams.

Here are several carbon footprint calculators to check out:

An amazing carbon footprint calculator from Berkeley College

The Nature Conservancy's carbon footprint calculator

Find out how big a carbon footprint your diet makes

Virtually create your favorite meals to see what their carbon footprints are