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An interesting follow-up to a recent post about eating locally, from the current edition of Adbusters.
Local rather than organic food could provide the biggest boost to sustainable living according to scientists. American researchers calculated that purchasing just 10% more food from within state boundaries would reduce collective annual carbon dioxide emissions by 3.6 million kilos. A Japanese environmental organisation found that switching to local food – expecially choosing local soy over imported – would be equivalent to reducing household energy use by 20%, which would enable Japan to meet its Kyoto targets easily. UK researchers calculate that purchasing food grown within a 12-mile radius has a greater positive impact than buying organic food that is not local. They calculate the environmental cost being lowered from $2.3 billion per year to under $230 million.
This is not to say that some international trade isn’t necessary. Chocolate and coffee might be two examples. However, when the port of New York city exports $431,000 of California almonds to Italy and imports $397,000 of Italian almonds in the same year, we have to ask serious questions.
Posted by gary at March 7, 2006 07:21 AM
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