Abstract
Our food system is a major contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) but has been under-represented in conversations related to climate change mitigation until recently. In an attempt to empower individuals to adapt their food choices to minimize GHG to mitigate global climate change, Food Emissions Visualization Educational Resource (FEVER), a visual educational resource was developed. This resource employs the use of balloons to represent the emissions from one person’s dinner choices as a volume of equivalent carbon dioxide that was emitted in production and transportation. This resource has three potential distribution methods. One is designed for use in a high school or university science class to engage students in a conversation about their food production and transportation emissions while calculating the size of the balloon necessary to contain the GHGs from their food selections. The second distribution method is intended for use at a hands-on science outreach booth typical at community outreach events. Participants would choose play food items to build their plate, and the booth host would hand them a bundle of balloons representative of the GHGs of their food selections. The final distribution method is an educational display for cafeterias, restaurants or grocery stores. A bundle of balloons would provide a quick visual representation of the differences in GHG emissions from various food choices before the shoppers make their purchases. The hope is that using balloons provides a clear visual image, empowering people to make food choices for the long-term benefit of our earth’s energy balance.
Presenters
Carla RamsdellPractitioner in Residence, Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University, North Carolina, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Food Production and Sustainability
KEYWORDS
Food, Greenhouse, Emissions, Production, Science, Outreach, Education, Physics, Climate, Chemistry
