Skip to content

The food industry burns nearly a fifth of all the…

“The food industry burns nearly a fifth of all the petroleum consumed in the United States (about as much as automobiles do). Today it takes between seven and ten calories of fossil fuel energy to deliver one calorie of food energy to an American plate.” quote by Michael Pollan
Download Open image
““The food industry burns nearly a fifth of all the petroleum consumed in the United States (about as much as automobiles do). Today it takes between seven and ten calories of fossil fuel energy to deliver one calorie of food energy to an American plate.””

Michael Pollan

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Food production consumes a large share of fossil fuel, equating its energy use to that of cars.

In simple terms: Food production uses much fossil energy.

Key Takeaway

Consider sustainable food choices.

Themes

environment energy food industry

Mood

concerned analytical

Type

expository informative

When to use this quote

  • grocery shopping
  • policy advocacy
  • diet planning

Key Concepts

fossil fuel consumption caloric efficiency industrial agriculture

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can consumers reduce food-related emissions?
  • What policies could lower the industry's carbon footprint?
A Different Perspective

Changing diets alone may not solve the issue.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Michael Pollan

Explore all 584 Michael Pollan quotes

More Food quotes

Browse all 34,183 Food quotes