Consume local food to fight against climate change: Research

The desire by the world’s affluent to consume out-of-season produce is making large contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions, new research has suggested. The study also found that food is responsible for about 16 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

For the study, experts used the concept of “food miles” to measure the distance a food item travels from where it’s produced to where it’s consumed. Researchers analysed 74 countries, 37 economic sectors and four transport modes; water, rail, road and air.

As per the findings, high-income countries are disproportionate contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. They constitute 12.5% of the world’s population yet generate 46% of international greenhouse gas emissions.

Eating food grown and produced locally is a powerful way to take action on climate change. Consumers also have the power to reduce food transport emissions by adopting a more sustainable diet, researchers concluded.

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