4. Eat Green

Clearing forest for agriculture is one of the leading causes of global deforestation and habitat destruction. Environmentally friendly eating habits are easy and healthy. And product information is more readily available than ever before. From growers at the local market to the waiter at your local restaurant, producers are becoming savvier to the desires of green eaters.

• Buy food that is sustainably grown and harvested and that does not put pressure on threatened species or habitats.
• Replacing one meal of red meat with a more sustainable option (such as sustainably harvested fish or sustainably grown vegetables) can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. The energy it takes to grow feed, feed livestock, and process red meat means more carbon dioxide is being produced than if you had a vegetarian meal. Some free-range ranching systems are considered conservation-friendly and their land use practices allow biodiversity to survive outside of strict protected areas. When eating meat, be sure you know where it comes from and how it is raised.
• Ask restaurant owners and grocers not to offer threatened seafood or other species. You might be the one that opens their eyes to the fact that they too can make responsible choices.
• Ask questions. Ask restaurant and café managers where they source their ingredients – if they don't know, they'll at least know you care. Ask the vendors at your farmers' market how their produce is grown and meat is raised – some farms go beyond organic even without the USDA Organic seal of approval.
• Find your local farmers' market and ask about the availability of locally grown produce in your neighborhood. Locally grown produce and products mean fewer miles driven to get you your fruits, vegetables, and meat.
• Compost your food waste. Composting is an easy and fun project that kids can get excited about. And you're producing wonderful, nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

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