- Michael David, a climate advocate, warns about the environmental impact of food waste during Christmas, citing greenhouse gas emissions
- David urges Nigerians to consider the energy and resources involved in food production and offers practical tips to combat wastage
Michael David, a climate and environmental advocate and Team Lead for the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), emphasized the environmental impact of food waste during festive seasons like Christmas.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, David explained that discarded food contributes to global warming by releasing greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.
He pointed out that excess greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, heating up the earth’s atmosphere and leading to climate change. David expressed concern about the alarming levels of food waste during Christmas festivities, noting that a significant portion of the prepared food often goes uneaten.
David urged Nigerians to consider the energy and natural resources involved in processing, transporting, storing, and cooking food. He highlighted the environmental consequences of food waste, including the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and the wastage of fresh water and groundwater resources.
In addition, David addressed the environmental impact of excessive food packaging, emphasizing the need for awareness about environmentally unfriendly packaging materials that contribute to landfills and litter.
To combat food waste, David provided practical tips, encouraging people not to throw away good food but instead share it with others. He emphasized the joy of sharing and called for increased awareness about the quantity of food wasted daily, particularly during festive seasons like Christmas. David underscored the unfairness of food wastage, especially in a country where many children go days with empty stomachs.
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