How Heavy is Your Plate on the Planet? by National Institute of Design

Climate change demands immediate attention, and it’s surprising to learn that 18.4% of total greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. This raises an important question: how might we make people aware of their food choices and the environmental impact they cause?

The presented tangible data visualization uses 'plates' to represent various food items, inspired by setup of a buffet table. The amount of greenhouse gas (CO2 equivalent) emitted during production of 1 kg of each food item is visualized on each plate. To enhance clarity, factors contributing to these emissions are color-coded.

To foster an emotional connection with the audience, a hidden relative weight is attached beneath each plate to signify its environmental impact. This physical weight allows people to tangibly feel the environmental consequences of their food choices when they lift a plate.

This experiential approach inspired the project’s name as 'How Heavy Is Your Plate on the Planet?'