1 Food and climate change

1.1 Food miles

Most of our food travels great distances to reach us, which results in enormous amounts of greenhouse gas emissions with food being trucked, shipped and air freighted all over the globe before it reaches our plates.

For example, the average Sunday dinner clocks up the following:

• chicken from Thailand, 10,691 miles by ship

• runner beans from Zambia, 4912 miles by plane

• carrots from Spain, 1000 miles by lorry

• mange tout from Zimbabwe, 5130 miles by plane

• potatoes from Italy, 1521 miles by lorry

• sprouts from Britain, 125 miles by lorry

• total, 23,379 miles.

That only accounts for the emissions from food transport. Large amounts of fossil fuel energy and water would also be used in the production of this meal.

It is estimated that if you made the same meal but replaced it with products that are in season and purchase them locally, then the total journey of the meal would be reduced from 23,379 miles to just 376 miles.

You can work out your own carbon footprint, including the food you eat, using the Resurgence carbon calculator.