It’s too good to be true. We can’t even remember when we last enjoyed a full month of summer weather in Stockholm. It’s been the warmest May ever in many parts of Sweden, and the heat doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.

But all that glitters is not gold. Earlier today, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee in the sun, we overheard some people talking about climate alarms, the fast-melting Arctic and global warming. Back to reality. Even if we’re excited about the warm weather in Stockholm, it goes without saying that a sudden heat wave is not a nice surprise in the Arctic.

The food we eat is a major contributing factor to climate change. And since we spend most of our days thinking about and writing about food, it’s about time we share some tips on how to reduce the environmental impact of food production.

A lot of resources and energy go into producing food, and long before we go grocery shopping, carry the groceries into the kitchen and put the food on the table, it has already had a major impact on the environment. But we have to eat, right? Yes, of course, but don’t waste the leftovers. Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted globally. That’s about one-third of all food produced for human consumption. Needless to say, it’s a huge unnecessary use of resources – especially when reducing food waste is easy. Here are our top tips to cut your food waste in the kitchen:

1. Don’t buy more than you need. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that. Plan your meals and find a way to make use of leftovers in other dishes.

2. Control portion sizes. Use smaller plates and dishes, and take no more than you know you can finish. Save the leftovers for the next day.

3. Use the freezer. All sorts of foods can be frozen, either before or after preparation: vegetables, fruits, bread and meat. As soon as you realize that you’re not going to use it – bag it up and freeze it.

4. If a product looks, smells and tastes good then it’s probably fine. Confusing best-by labels are a major cause of food waste. But remember, food that has been stored properly can still be safe to eat after the best-before date. Trust your senses!

It’s time to wage war against food waste. It doesn’t just help the environment, it reduces your grocery bill too.

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