Educated Choices Program

Educated Choices Program

Educated Choices Program

Education program about the impacts of food systems on environmental degradation and climate change.

Lawrenceville, GA, USA

USA

Nonprofit

Our current global food systems rely heavily on large-scale industrial animal agriculture, which contributes to numerous environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, ocean acidification, and resource depletion. About one-third of greenhouse gas emissions come from food production, and over 80% of that comes from the production of animal products. Animal agriculture currently utilizes 70% of our finite water resources. It pollutes freshwater ways with runoff from manure that, in the US, equals roughly 13 times the waste of the US human population. Additionally, it is responsible for 91% of the destruction in the Amazon rainforests, which serve as the “lungs of the earth.” The reliance on industrial animal agriculture within our food systems has far-reaching environmental consequences that impact nearly everyone worldwide, contributing to climate change, food insecurity, and ecosystem degradation. Due to a lack of clear, factual information, many people are unaware of the true consequences of our unsustainable food systems. Marginalized communities and young people are often disproportionately impacted by limited access to food education. This lack of knowledge about how to make environmentally friendly food choices contributes to poor environmental health outcomes and exacerbates existing social inequalities worldwide.

Our program includes professionally narrated, engaging educational videos and complementary resources such as activities, quizzes, lesson plans, homework, and discussion prompts. The resources are available 24/7 in multiple languages in an online digital library. Users can filter by topic or video length, adjust video playback speed, and watch with captions or subtitles. The education packages include recommendations for similar content and extras such as our Next-Steps Toolkit, lunch packing guide, and “foodprint” calculator. All content is free to use and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Our resources examine the links between our current food systems and the health of our environment. The content is created using current scientific data from mainstream, reputable sources broken down into understandable, relatable narratives. Our material meets academic standards in all 50 US states and globally.

ECP has an international presence in 64 countries. Our resources are primarily used by teachers who integrate them into their regular classroom curriculum. Our target audience includes students beginning at 8 years old, extending through teens and college students. By collaborating with educators to incorporate our resources into the standard curriculum, we seize the opportunity to engage young people in an environment where they are receptive to new information, particularly during a formative period when habits are established. Community members also utilize our program in professional settings, community groups, and retirement/assisted living facilities. We reach learners of all different backgrounds, races, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, cultures, genders, and education levels. Our education packages provide factual information that teaches our audience the power they have in creating a better planet through food choices. We empower learners to make dietary shifts that contribute to greater sustainability by reducing global carbon emissions, mitigating deforestation and pollution, combating ocean depletion and acidification, and addressing other environmental challenges linked to food choices. Our program ensures access to food education, a key driver of positive changes in individual well-being, community health, and the broader environment. It is fundamental for fostering more equitable, sustainable, and healthier societies.