So you use a metal straw, compost, and turn your scraps into stock, but you’re looking to bring your sustainable routine to the next level. Any sustainable lifestyle change is a good one, but if you’re looking for more extensive ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint, here are some ideas that go beyond just bringing reusable bags to the grocery store. 

1. Embrace a plant-based diet. Livestock take up 80 percent of global farmland, but provide less than 20 percent of the global supply of calories. Plus, meat and dairy have an exponentially higher carbon footprint than plants. If everyone switched to plant-based diets we could significantly improve food security, drastically cut emissions, and even boost biodiversity. 
2. Shop local. Buying locally-grown food reduces food waste and eliminates the hefty emissions of food shipment. It also supports local farmers and redirects your money into your community, rather than to a large agricultural corporation. 
3. Check out your ingredient sources. Farms that practice regenerative farming and fair labor practices are helping ensure the future of our planet and the livelihood of their employees. Check out the growers you buy from and their practices to ensure they’re in line with your values. 

There are a multitude of ways to cultivate more sustainability in your life, but thinking about what we eat, where it comes from, and how it’s grown can have a huge impact on our personal carbon footprint.