A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organization, event or product⁴. Food can account for up to 30% of a household’s carbon footprint, with food production making up the majority of those emissions⁴. Growing plants and trees help offset carbon emissions as they breathe in CO₂ and coverts it into oxygen. The plants that hemp, chia and flaxseeds come from are considered ‘nature’s purifier’ as they make the air we breathe cleaner. In fact, hemp production is carbon negative, which means it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere during its growth than is emitted by the equipment used to harvest, process and transport it⁶. Hemp is scientifically proven to absorb more CO₂ per hectare than any forest or commercial crop⁵ which makes it a ‘carbon sink’. To reduce carbon emissions, some countries are  forgoing planting trees and instead planting hemp plants since they grow significantly quicker (in months versus years), absorb more CO₂ and use less water! Go hemp!

Carbon footprint is important because of the effect greenhouse gases have on the environment. These gases get trapped in the atmosphere, warming up the planet and causing climate change. Climate change is already having significant derogatory affects from causing mass fires to mass flooding and could eventually leave much of this world inhabitable.

One way to reduce carbon footprint is to eat less meat and more plants! Plant foods offer the same if not better nutrition than meat. For example, Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts Boosters provides 3G of protein in a single tablespoon. Ounce for ounce it contains more protein than beef or chicken and without all the carbon emissions as well!

(3) Seeds Don't Require Pesticides or Chemicals For Growth

Seeds can be grown in almost any quality of soil and thrive in the wild. Their survival is not dependent on chemicals, and they require minimal if any pesticide use at all⁹! In fact, the essential oils in chia seeds are repellant to insects and other pests^8,9! This is great for the environment as chemicals used in agriculture production have many detrimental effects on our planet.

While there may be little or no pesticide use on seed plants, at Tiny Sprouts Foods we still only offer organic seeds because it is safer than the conventional forms, and better for the environment. The difference between organic and natural/conventional seeds comes down to the soil. Organic soil must be free of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides for at least three years before it can be certified organic¹.

(4) There Is No Wastage From A Seed Plant

Seed plants are so versatile in use that almost nothing from the plant is wasted. Traditionally, some seed plants have been used to produce many common household items. The flax plant for example, has been used as medicine, linen fabrics, oils, twines, ropes, and even briquettes for heating¹¹.

The same goes for hemp, the hemp plant not only produces nutrient rich hemp seeds and hearts, but has also been used to make clothing, paper, bio-fuel and more⁹. In fact, clothing made from the hemp plant and flax plant is not only more durable but significantly better for the environment than the cotton crop which uses more water and half of the total pesticides used in the United States^9,11! Fun fact - the first Levi’s blue jeans were made from hemp!

(5) Seed Crops Regenerate The Soil

Seed plants are regenerative crops which means they clean the soil they’re planted in. In fact, hemp acts as a natural vacuum cleaner accumulating heavy metals and other toxins from the soil before they enter surrounding groundwater¹³. Also, as stems and leaves of the plant fall, they decompose and naturally regenerate the soil with their nutrients.

Soil health is paramount when it comes to sustainability and saving our planet. Soil needs carbon and so will pull it from the environment, which reduces the carbon gases in the atmosphere that is responsible for climate change. The healthier the soil, the more carbon is removed from the atmosphere, and the more balance we begin to experience with climate. Unfortunately, conventional farming methods have destroyed so much of the Worlds top soil which is further contributing to the climate change issue on Earth¹².

(6) Seed Crops Promote Regenerative Farming

Most seeds are annual crops and grow rather quickly after being planted. Regenerative farming requires rotating crops seasonally to maintain and even improve soil quality. Seeds promote this rotation allowing for richer, cleaner soil and greater crop yield.

Hemp is even seen as a ‘gateway crop’ for regenerative agriculture¹³. It harvests in only 120 days making it an ideal crop for rotation. Crop rotation is important. as it improves the soil's health, and increase nutrients available for crops, while also helping the environment by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Sustainability is important as it improves the quality of our lives and the lives of future generations. The Earth is our home, and we need to take care of it to ensure the survival and wellbeing of humankind. With the rapidly decreasing supply of freshwater to the greenhouse emissions and climate change, our planet is under a lot of pressure and asking for our help to sustain life for everyone and everything it supports. Making ethical and sustainable choices each day brings us one step forward in re-establishing balance in this world. At Tiny Sprouts Foods, we work hard everyday to be as sustainable as we possibly can. From delivering sustainable products (we love our seeds!), to working with sustainable suppliers and continuously minimizing our supply chain, we are committed to doing what we can for the betterment of the planet generations to come. Learn more at https://www.tinysproutsfoods.com