ENERGY USE IN DAILY LIFE: FOOD

This guide has been designed to help Centres/Groups of the Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSIO)
facilitate a study circle on the topic of Food and its impact on the environment. It has been developed as
part of a series of study circle guides that aim to look at energy use in daily living. This is part 2 with a
estimated duration of one hour.

Part 2 will cover: The impact of our food choices in relation to energy use and what action we can take to
help reduce our energy footprint through the food we eat.

PART 2

OPENING AND INTRODUCTION

ACTIVITY NOTE TO FACILITATOR RESOURCES DURATION

3 OMs or Depending on the audience of this study circle, either omkar 1 min
silent sitting or a minute of silent sitting can be done. Either way, the
followed by objective of this activity is to help settle the group and
an opening establish group dynamics. This is the same for whether a
prayer prayer or short reading is used.

Introduce This study circle is part of the Serve the Planet (STP) initiative 1 min
today’s topic of the SSIO.

The purpose of this study circle is to help us to better

understand how food production, processing, consumerism
(choices) and disposal, all contribute towards the
consumption of energy. Through this, we will navigate ways
of conserving energy sources as well as mitigating
environmental impacts.

It is important to remain respectful and open at all times.

Keep in mind that the Study Circle is about sharing and
exploring the topic and inspiring each other rather than
‘finding the right answers.’

TODAY’S DELIVERY

ACTIVITY NOTE TO FACILITATOR RESOURCES DURATION

Question 1: Read the quote below and discuss the following questions: 5 mins
What is the
primary “The earth has always been worshipped by the ancients of
source of Bharat as Mother Earth, since it is the earth that, in some
energy form or the other, provides food and sustains life. Most
required for gratefully the ancients said: ‘O Mother Earth, I am able to
our food? have food on account of your kindness.’ Without the earth,
we cannot have grain, and that is why earth was given so

Please consider the environment before printing this document. When printing is necessary, please select the double-sided printing option. 1
 much respect and was accorded the position of a mother.” –
Sathya Sai Baba (Summer Showers 2000.02: May 15, 2000)

- What are the vital natural elements required for

the production of food?
You could use the following points to support the discussion.

Our food, or all the ingredients required to prepare our meal,

comes directly or indirectly from plants. A plant requires
essential natural elements, primarily, sunlight (energy), air,
water, soil/land and nutrients, which Mother Nature
provides for its growth. (Refer to Module 3, Topic 1 of Serve
the Planet 2017 for more information on this topic)

Energy has always been an essential component in food

production. Prior to the industrial revolution, the primary
energy input for agriculture was the sun, where
photosynthesis enabled plants to grow, and plants served as
food for livestock, which provided fertiliser (manure) and
muscle power for farming. However, because of the
industrialisation and consolidation of agriculture, food
production has become increasingly dependent on energy,
that is largely derived from fossil fuels.1

Question 2: Ask the group to think about and discuss the following: 8–10 mins
To what
extent is - How much energy is required for the food we eat
Energy used on a daily basis?
in the food - Are we aware of the sources of energy used in the
industry? various stages of the food supply system?
You could use the following points to support the discussion.

Food, itself is a source of energy. But the amount of energy

used to make food is greater than the energy we get out of
it.2 Let us look at the various stages of the food supply
system that require energy.
● Agriculture/production
● Processing
● Handling
● Transportation
● Consumption
● Waste management
The food industry largely depends on energy,
predominantly on fossil fuels, to produce enough food to
meet the global demand.3 It requires energy at different
stages as follows:

Agriculture/production – In mechanised/industrialised
farming, agriculture or production of crops and livestock
requires nutritional content, water and energy. Energy, for
this stage of the food supply system, is used in the form of
electricity or fuel (gasoline or diesel) to operate machinery

2
and equipment, for transport, and to:
● Make tonnes of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser4 or
mining other fertilisers such as potassium and
phosphorus1
● Produce tonnes of pesticides every year3
● Power millions of trucks and machines responsible
for sowing, spraying and harvesting plant food crops3
● Pump, treat and supply large volumes of water to
irrigate the farm field
● Operate machines for meat production at millions of
slaughterhouses and for dairy operations globally3
● Drive millions of fishing trawlers that hunt and kill 1–
2 trillion fishes out of the oceans, every year5

Processing – This stage requires energy to operate

machinery and equipment for transport, and to:
● Transform raw ingredients into a food product, such
as the processing of raw corn into cereal6

Handling – This stage requires energy for highly processed

and heavily packaged food, specifically, to:
● Package food after processing for service and sales
● Refrigerate and freeze food during transportation
and for sales and service

Transportation – Energy is used for transportation, which is

required for all stages of the food supply system, from
extracting of resources for farming needs, farming,
processing to distributor/retailer/market and waste
management. In particular, energy is used to:
● Transport tonnes of crops and other food to feed
livestock, locally and globally
● Transport tonnes of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds,
other plant-based foods and animal-based food
products to markets for public consumption, locally
and globally

Consumption – This stage relates to domestic energy

consumption to:
● Store and prepare food for individual consumption

Waste management – Energy, mainly fuel, is required to:

● Transport wasted food to landfill
Research shows that it takes between 28–54 and 3.3 calories
of energy to produce 1 calorie of protein, from animal-based
and plant-based foods, respectively.7 Any food wastage is
also an indirect waste of the energy that has gone into
producing that food in the first place.

Key facts:

3
 ● Food systems currently consume 30% of the world’s
available energy.
● Modern food systems are heavily dependent on
fossil fuels.

Question 3: We have seen how a large amount of energy is used at every 10–12
How does stage of the food production process and how this energy is mins
energy use in mainly derived from fossil fuels. But in the discussion below,
the food we will see how this energy consumption affects the
system affect environment
the
Pose the following question to the group:
environment
? - How does the high level of energy consumption in
the production of food affect the environment,
including people in poorer countries?

Use the information below to support your discussions:

- Food production is rising sharply to meet the demands of
an exponentially growing global population. Meeting this
demand requires more carbon-based fuels and nitrogen-
based fertilisers, both of which lead to a warming of the
earth’s temperature, pollution of land, water and air,
climate change, and a host of other ills.2
- Today more than a billion people are starving due to the
lack of food.8 This is because 60–80% of plant produce is
bought by the animal-agriculture industry, to raise
livestock for milk, meat and eggs.9 The animal agriculture
industry thus drives up the price of plant produce like
grain, wheat, rice, soy, etc., making it impossible for the
poorest to afford or physically obtain. For example,
Ethiopia exports most of the plants it grows to Western
countries who have the highest production of meat, milk
and eggs, while most of its own populace experiences
daily famine and death due to starvation.10
- Most meat, eggs and dairy products are now produced
on factory farms, which are huge industrial livestock
operations that raise thousands of animals in confined
conditions without access to pasture. Since the animals
are unable to graze, factory farms require tremendous
quantities of feed produced by industrial crop farms
using the energy-intensive processes described in
‘Discussion 2’ above. Factory farms are also potential
sources of ground and surface water pollution, which
ultimately require municipalities and private landowners
to expend additional energy on water treatment.1
- Even renewable energy sources in the form of food-
based feedstocks such as corn, soy, sugar and palm
dominate the world markets for biofuels and create
unhealthy competition for farmland and freshwater.2
And these are not the only environmental impacts resulting
from the food production industry; water pollution,
deforestation, release of harmful gases and emissions,

4
 chemical waste from fertilisers and pesticides and general
waste are further harming the environment.
Video 1:
After watching the video and reading the quotes below, take
Group [Link]
a couple of minutes to reflect on the group introspection
introspection: [Link].c
question.
Do you think om/watch?
our food “Make proper use of natural resources. God’s creation is v=JjAI-
habits and very sacred. Do not pollute it. How sacred are the five vJTXjM (55
the product elements given by God! But, today, the air we breathe, the secs)
choices we food we eat, the water we drink, the sound we hear –
make, have everything is polluted. All these sacred elements have been Video 2:
an impact on made unsacred by humanity. That is why the world today is [Link]
energy afflicted with so many diseases. That one is a true human [Link].c
consumption being who makes sacred use of the five elements. Never om/watch?
and the waste natural resources.” – Sathya Sai Baba (Divine v=g1z1taw6
environment Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam; July 18, yNw
? 1996) (1 min 30
“Man should exercise his discretion and discrimination in secs)
regard to food habits." – Sathya Sai Baba (SSS 27.3: January
21, 1994) (*Note if no
video
facilities are
available on-
site,
participants
can be sent
ALL video
links
beforehand
to watch at
home prior
to the study
circle taking
place)

Image adapted from: "Organic: A Climate Saviour?" The foodwatch report on the
greenhouse effect of conventional and organic farming in Germany

Question 4: After introspecting on the above question, ask the group 20 mins
What can we about ways to reduce our energy footprint. Read the below
do daily to quote and share some of the points below, if they are not
reduce our covered during group discussion.
energy
footprint in Practicing ‘Ceiling on Desires’ in this way will also help save
relation to millions of animals from exploitation and slaughter,
food, and drastically reduce rainforest destruction and species
serve Mother extinction, save precious water, redistribute food to hungry
Earth? people, significantly reduce air, water and land pollution,11 as
well as improve our own health by reducing the risk of heart
disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, stroke, allergies and
intolerances.
● Eat vegetarian food and reduce dairy intake or opt for a

5
 100% organic plant-based diet12
“A global shift towards a meat-free and dairy-free diet is
vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the
worst impacts of climate change” (United Nations
Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Panel of
Sustainable Resource Management. 2010)
See Attachment A for practical tips on how to replace
dairy and egg products.
● Buy locally produced and seasonal food – Buy locally
produced seasonal fruits, vegetables and other food
items grown in your local farmers’ market. Your locally-
grown fruits and vegetables will not only taste great they
will be better for the planet as well, since it avoids the
need for transportation and storage. This also promotes
decentralisation of food production.
● Use your garden and terrace to grow vegetables and
plants – These ‘natural solar panels’ will help absorb
excess carbon and pollutants from the atmosphere, and
produce much needed oxygen, as well as reducing soil
erosion and providing homes for vulnerable beings.
● Grow an environmentally-friendly garden – Avoid
mixing the garden soil with chemical laden fertilisers,
which will only lead to pollution of water sources with
run-offs carrying petrochemical pesticides, herbicides
and inorganic fertilisers. Furthermore, food produced in
such chemical infused soil creates long-term health
consequences. Refer to Attachment B on tips to grow an
environmentally-friendly garden.

“Do not waste food. Food is God” – Sathya Sai Baba (SSS
29.69: July 18, 1996)
● Avoid food waste – One of the easiest ways to help
conserve energy on food production is to ultimately
avoid food waste. Wasting food means wastage of
energy in all stages of the food chain, i.e., the energy
required to produce food from agriculture, through
transportation, processing, handling, retailing,
preparation and consumption. An estimated one-third of
the food we produce is lost or wasted, and with it an
estimated 38 percent of energy consumed in food
systems.13
● Wastage of food also represents the arguably
unnecessary dispersal of pesticides, carbon, airborne
particulates, and other pollutants associated with
producing foods.14
o To avoid wastage, plan your meals, use grocery list
and avoid impulse buys. Buy only what you need
and will use. Freeze, preserve, or can surplus fruits
and vegetables – especially, abundant seasonal
produce. Shop in your refrigerator first! Cook or eat
what you already have at home before buying
more.

6
 ● Convert waste into resources (composting) – Please
note that the food we buy/grow and cook for
consumption should be consumed and not wasted. Food
and vegetable peels and contents that are not edible can
be composted and converted into nutrient-rich
substance, i.e., compost. Composting is an effective
solution to divert organic waste such as food scraps,
spoiled/rotting foods, yard and garden waste away from
landfills. It transforms waste into a beneficial, free and
organic fertiliser for the soil which aids in the healthy and
strong development of plants and better and nutrient-
rich harvests. By minimising organic waste, we save both
energy and fuel needed in transporting waste for
disposal. As such, diverting waste from landfill will help
to reduce methane emissions from landfill and reduce
our carbon footprint.
● Innovative agricultural techniques – Innovative
agricultural techniques will help in reducing the vast
difference in energy input to food output ratio. For
example, drip irrigation provides more crop per drop,
sparing freshwater and the energy needed to pump it.2

For additional practical tips on ways to reduce our energy

footprint, please refer to the mini-booklet available at
[Link]

These approaches help us realise how much each one of us

can do – because each one of us is ultimately responsible
for how energy and global resources are used, not just
industries and governments. We are the consumers of the
products. If we make environmentally-friendly decisions
about what we consume, industries and governments will
also inevitably follow.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Closing So far, we have learned: 2 mins

summary of ● The extent of energy used in the ‘food sector’
today’s ● How this affects the environment
session and ● How we can reduce our energy footprint through the
what to food we eat
expect at the ● Which foods can help us to serve Mother Earth
next session
and In PART 3 of this study circle series, we will cover how we can
homework conserve energy in relation to transportation.

HOMEWORK:

1. For personal reflection: Do you buy, cook and eat

more food than you need?
2. What are the ways in which you can reduce wasting
food and this way save energy?
3. Make a list of the ways in which you can reduce your

7
 CO2 footprint through food you eat.
For more information on the choice of food, its impact on
the environment and its importance for spiritual progress
see Module 3 on Food from Serve the Planet 2017 – Eating
to Protect the Planet

CLOSE Closing prayer or reading 1 min

Prayer for universal peace - Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Note: Ideally there should be two facilitators in groups of ten or more participants. The first facilitator is the
one who is conducting the study circle. The second facilitator observes the group’s dynamics and informs the
first facilitator of any lethargy and confusion from participants. This second facilitator also conducts the
opening activity (E.g. Omkar) and the sharing of insights at the end. This helps give variety to the
participants, but also allows the first facilitator space to capture important feedback and learning points for
insight sharing.

8
Attachment A
We can easily replace:
● Cow’s milk with soya/rice/almond/coconut milk
● Yogurt with plant-based curds
● Butter with vegetable spreads
● Cheese/paneer with dairy-free cheeses and tofu
● Icecreams with sorbets or dairy-free icecreams
● Chocolate with dark chocolate
● Eggs with egg replacement powder (baking) or tofu (scrambled)

Attachment B
Tips for growing an environmentally-friendly community garden – Below are a few suggested healthy and
eco-friendly gardening practices:

● Opt for compost, which uses organic material and serves as a natural alternative to chemical
fertiliser (e.g. cow dung or horse manure)
● Make your own chemical-free herbicides to treat any plants affected by pests (e.g., a solution of
ghost pepper, water, garlic, mint and clove can be used to treat aphid-infested plants)
● Welcome pest-controlling predatory insects such as ladybug and beetle by planting some native
plants
● Consider diverse planting and include bright flowering plants, such as marigold and sunflower, to
deter pests
● Consider companion planting, such as herbs and vegetables
● Designate a plot in the garden as a pollinator plot by planting wildflowers for bees
● Prepare seedlings indoors before the end of the frost season (or as appropriate) by reusing or
upcycling pallets/containers/flower pots and organic potting soil. Consider making your own DIY
seedling pots from old newspaper or cardboard boxes, reuse yogurt, butter tubs etc., or visit garden
stores where they may give away old pallets for free
● Install drip irrigation to transport water directly to the plant, thereby conserving water by not
watering the whole bed or plot
● Install a composting pit, bin or bench
● To prevent weed growth and maintain water and air balance in the soil, install breathable fabric
weed-block mat to cover the prepared plot prior to planting, or apply 2–4 inches of mulch on top of
the garden soil after planting. Compost locally available chipped woods, leaves, a layer of newspaper
with grass clippings, or grass clippings alone to make inexpensive mulches
● Remember to apply refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle principles

References
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. Dr Will Tuttle. The World Peace Diet. Lantern Publishing 2005
4. The Fertiliser Institute - US Fertiliser statistics
5. Dr Richard Oppenlander. Circles of Compassion - Our Lifeline Revealed Through The Eye of Justice.
2014
6. [Link]
7. David Pimentel. Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003
8. Holt-Giménez, Eric. "We Already Grow Enough Food for 10 Billion People...and Still Can't End
Hunger”. Common Dreams: Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community. May 2012
9. "Executive Summary: Feed Supply". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
10. Keith McHenry. Circles of Compassion - Until Every Belly is Full. 2014

9
 11. Dr Richard Oppenlander. Comfortably Unaware. Published 2012
12. Dr Sailesh Rao. Carbon Dharma - Published 2011
13. [Link]
14. [Link]

Recommended literature and viewing

1. Comfortably Unaware - Dr. Richard Oppenlander. Published 2012
2. Carbon Dharma – Dr. Sailesh Rao. Published 2011
3. Food Choice and Sustainability - Dr Richard Oppenlander -
[Link]

© Sathya Sai International Organisation 2018

All rights reserved.

10