How Local Action and Advocacy Can Drive Global Impact
Our hearts are with everyone impacted by the recent back-to-back hurricanes that have devastated communities across the globe. Entire towns have been wiped off the map, leaving countless families and individuals in need of support. These extreme weather events are not isolated incidents; they represent a troubling trend that is becoming the new normal.
Scientists have long warned that rising global temperatures would lead to more frequent and intense storms, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing (EPA, 2024). The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat; it is an urgent reality that demands immediate action.
At 412 Food Rescue, we know that the climate crisis is overwhelming. But we also know there is a way forward. One powerful step is through food rescue.
From nonprofit campaigns, to corporate initiatives, to state legislation, to big plans from federal agencies, the fight against food waste is getting more attention than ever, and rightly so – it’s a fast-acting climate solution. But the most effective efforts will involve wide-spread participation, and here’s the good news: all of us can help.
Why Food Waste Is a Climate Issue
Food waste is a major contributor to climate change. When food decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Shockingly, food waste is responsible for 6-8% of human-caused emissions globally—more than 3 times the entire aviation industry (Our World in Data, 2020).
Addressing food waste is one of the most powerful ways to mitigate climate change, which is why it’s a top priority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Recently, the EPA released a new ranking system for reducing the environmental impact of wasted food, highlighting food rescue as a critical solution (Food Rescue Hero, 2023). This work also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2, 12, and 13 (United Nations, 2023).
Through technology and civic engagement, we are tackling this issue head-on. Every day, we work to keep perfectly good food from going to waste, rescuing it and redirecting it to feed people in need. Our efforts, powered by the Food Rescue Hero platform, not only reduce waste but also help combat food insecurity—a dual mission that contributes to a more sustainable and just world.
Scaling Impact Across North America
But local action alone isn’t enough. To truly address the climate crisis, we need systemic change. That’s why we’re scaling our impact beyond Pittsburgh with our Food Rescue Hero platform by partnering with other food rescue organizations across North America. We’re empowering people to rescue food in their communities and advocating for policies that support a more sustainable food system.
Our work is part of a growing movement to hold the biggest contributors to climate change—corporations and large-scale polluters—accountable. While individual actions matter, we also need to push for stronger environmental regulations, corporate accountability, and meaningful policy change at the national and global levels.
This fall, we’re bringing together changemakers from across the continent at the Food Rescue Conference, a two-day event where we will dive deep into these critical issues. One of the sessions, “Transforming the Landscape for Food Rescue: Lobbying and Advocacy,” will explore how we can use our collective voices to advocate for the policies and regulations needed to drive systemic change.
Register for the Food Rescue Conference today and be part of the conversation that will shape the future of food rescue.
How You Can Make a Difference
You don’t have to wait for governments or corporations to act. You can make an immediate impact today:
Rescue Food: Download the 412 Food Rescue app and start rescuing food in your community.
Donate: Donate today to keep food out of the landfills.
Raise Your Voice: Advocate for policy changes that push for stronger environmental protections.
By combining local action with national advocacy, we can create lasting change that benefits both people and the planet. The climate crisis is here, but together, we can fight back.
Join us in the fight against climate change right now by rescuing food or making a donation today.
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