How ironic that today is the day I tackle this tip, because I listened to a podcast earlier that brought up this very topic, debunking the notion that eating locally does the planet a world of good.
The thinking behind eating locally is that you’re decreasing your carbon footprint because the food you buy locally doesn’t travel as far as imported food does.
However, that advice is misleading, because it’s not so much where your food came from but what you’re eating that matters. It’s also about how the food is getting to you. Most imported food is brought by ship, not via airfreight, and the carbon emission contribution is negligible.
That doesn’t mean it’s time to start eating pancetta and drinking Dr. Pepper every day, even if you can afford to. There is still value in supporting local farms and products, especially if they’re implementing eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
Finally visited this local urban coffee grower. #SabieValleyCoffee #WhiteRiver #Mpumalanga #Mzansi ☕️ pic.twitter.com/2tXaJedJQm
— Claudia Hauter (@ClaudiaHauter) February 14, 2017
It’s funny: I started this challenge as a way to share the tips contained in the zero waste challenge by sharing what I do in my own life. But my constant and continued research keeps enlightening me to just how complex and multilayered (and important!) eco-friendly and sustainable living is.
Read more about the Earth Hero Zero Waste Challenge here.