Note: All these questions are answered in Cool Cuisine - Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming
- What is the Global Warming Diet?
- What is a Cool Cuisine and how could it reduce global warming?
- You say that food choices can have a bigger impact on reducing global warming than the type of car you drive. Can you explain how this could be?
- Why do you say “global warming may be one of the best things that has happened to the culinary world in a long time?”
- What is the relationship between our food system and global warming?
- There is still some discussion that global warming isn’t real or that humans are not responsible. Are humans really responsible?
On Agriculture and Soil
- We hear a lot about how increasing levels of CO2 will affect temperature, but not much about how increasing CO2 will affect agriculture and the food supply. What will the impact be?
- In the chapter “Why All the Oil in My Soil?” you discuss agricultural practices that contribute to global warming. What are they and how do they add to the problem?
- You mention specific foods in the book and how they will be affected by climate change – wheat, water, wine, seafood, and stone fruit. Tell me about ___.
- You talk a lot about “carbon sequestration in the soil”. What is it and why is it so important?
On Seasonal, Local, Organic
- Is it better to eat organic foods or local foods?
- Can organic farming be done on a large enough scale to provide food for the world?
- You had an interesting graphic showing a carbon footprint label for a jar of peanut butter. Can you tell us more about this?
- If we only ate local, aren’t we effectively punishing the economies of lesser-developed nations that depend on U.S. trade?
- What are some of the “most local foods” - foods that are grown locally in most all of the 50 states?
- I never remember what vegetables and fruits grow in what season. Is there an easy way to tell the difference between a summer and a winter vegetable? Why is eating seasonally important?
On Eating Animal Products
- The book talks about beef as a problem and a solution to global warming. Can it be both?
- If we are going to eat animal products, which is "better" – beef, chicken, fish, pork or cheese?
- I’ve heard the words “natural”, “pasture-raised”, and “grass-fed” to describe meats. What do they mean?
- It is better for cows to eat grass or grain?
On Health and Cooking
- Americans always hear that “this food is good for us and this food is bad.” Still – many of us don’t eat that healthfully. Any thoughts on this?
- Why might a “cool” or “green” cuisine taste better or be healthier than the Standard American Diet (SAD)?
- You talk a lot about “high-vibe” foods and the “energetics of food.” What are these?
- Why should a cook keep water as far away from vegetables as possible?
- Is it "better" to eat raw or cooked food?
- You talk about grilling and roasting in the book. If we are trying to reduce CO2 emissions, wouldn’t it be better to steam our food - or better yet - microwave everything?
- Cooking takes a lot of time and people want convenience. What are the best and easiest foods to cook at home?
- Maybe we should just eat pills and eliminate food altogether as a way to save energy with a ballooning population? Wouldn’t that be the best solution?
On Waste Management and other innovative solutions
- Many people find recycling programs in their cities quite confusing. Should we recycle?
- Describe some innovative food waste management programs in the U.S.
- You tested disposable plastic water bottles in the book for bacteria. Tell me about it.
- Where does methane come from and how is it being used as a fuel source?
- You had an entire chapter on innovative solutions to the Global Warming Diet, what are your favorites?
On Carbon Offsetting
- I have heard about carbon offsetting ones' travel – but you carbon offset the production of this book. What is a carbon offset and how did you offset the books’ production?
On Individual Action
- What are the changes an individual would have to make in order to start eating a Cool Cuisine?
- You did a lot of taste tests in the book. Tell us about your favorite one or the one you think is most important.
- For the average person, change will be influenced by price and convenience. Can you eat a Cool Cuisine on a budget? And will it be easy to change eating habits?