Ever wondered what the carbon footprint is of that apple in your fruit basket,the mince in your burger or the packet of rice crackers your munching on is? The well researched packaging and shine of your groceries my be deceiving your thought and their innocence.
How green are those apples?
From production to consumption to waste,the world’s food system accounts for a hefty slice – about 33 per cent – of what’s heating up the planet. This is the data published by groups such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Pew Center on Climate Change.
To understand the big picture as to how the food system is contributing to climate change we need to look at the food system as a whole,from soil preparation to the final product you and I buy off the shelf. Next time you food shop,think about the story behind the goodies on the shelf.
Few people are still aware that methane is 23 times and nitrous oxide is 296 times more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide and this is where the food system pops up as a major contributor. The biggest single offender is livestock production,accounting for 18 per cent of global warming.
From how many different corners of the world is the processed food you buy coming from?
How long ago was the apple your eating picked off the tree?
Can you count all the cow that contributed to you burger on both your hands?
Is it rational to have the food you eat grown in Chile,processed,packed and frozen in China and served to you in the supermarket freezer isle?
