Probably, this may be the biggest argument for telecommuting. Less driving > less greenhouse emissions.
There was also a huge hit to the produce and livestock industries as restaurants closed which may play a part as well
There was also a huge hit to the produce and livestock industries as restaurants closed which may play a part as well
Shifts in birth rates of developed countries are a drop in the ocean of global birth rates. "Developed" lives have a heavier ecological footprint, but it all pales in comparison to the shifts resulting from increased industrialisation of developing countries. Depressing demand for industrial goods and services (because of lockdown) is bound to have a much bigger impact than making a few kids more or less.
Births per 1000 people: https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/WLD/world/birth-rate (less than half of the rate in 1950)
Fertility rate: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN (less than half the rate in 1960)
A lot of people have really cut back their spending.
Portion sizes on the other hand are entirely ridiculous. I often eat out with a tiny friend (in height and width). They tend to ask for smaller portions, but it's insane that many restaurants simply refuse to be amenable to that request. This means either I get fat eating their leftovers, or half a portion goes in the rubbish. Taking the leftovers home is rarely an option over here. I get that you probably can't serve half a chicken breast. But there seems to be no logical reason not to serve fewer fries, potatoes, pasta, whatever when a paying customer asks for it.
That said, I'm surprised taking leftovers home isn't an option. Around me, at least, the expectation is that you do take leftovers home.
American portion sizes are ludicrous but most restaurants won't ever bat an eye at wrapping up the rest of your food for you.
Even a $200 per head restaurant will do it. The only places that won't are the high end places where you're getting a $400+, 19 course tasting menu (+$150 or more per person for wine).
I do it every outing here in the US, though! Our portion sizes are ridiculous.
Food waste in home vs. restaurants is more difficult to compare. Many people will eat food that restaurants would not consider serving, simply because they have no other choice. On the flip side, there are very wasteful household that buy far more than they will consume.