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Do you notice the climate
changing? We can all do many things to help - it can all start with your
stomach...watch
a video to learn about the greenhouse effect from the Changing Climates project
at Colorado State University.
Food Miles Report from
Waterloo, Ontario 
Quote from Waterloo Food
Miles Report:
Imports of 58 commonly eaten foods travel an average of 4,497 km to Waterloo
Region. These imports account for 51,709 tonnes of GHG emissions annually, contributing to
climate change and air quality, which both have an effect on human health.
Since all of the studied food items could be grown or raised in Waterloo Region,
a significant opportunity exists to reduce our contribution to global climate change and air
pollution by replacing imports of the studied food items with food items sourced from
Waterloo Region or South-western Ontario. Replacing all the studied food items with products of
South-western Ontario would produce an annual reduction in GHG emissions of 49,485 tonnes,
equivalent to taking 16,191 cars off our roads. Strategies to strengthen to the local food
system and make purchasing local food more convenient for consumers has the potential to reduce
the environmental impact of food miles in Waterloo Region.
Check out this website: Climate
Change in Northern Ontario
For
Environment Canada's link on our local weather, open
this link!
Calculate
your food miles! A food
mile is the distance food travels from the farm to your fork.
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Download your to learn what food is in season,
meal planning, organic gardening and composting, and how to support a more
sustainable!
You are part of the food system and can reduce FOOD MILES and greenhouse gas
emissions through the following four suggestions:
1. Buy from local food
sources...
Purchasing the most locally grown food and other products automatically reduces
greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Find out where your food comes
from, and if it was grown sustainably. Support local pick-your-own farms. In a
recent study locally produced food items traveled 101 km on average, while
imported items moved an average of 5364 km. (Fighting Global Warming at the
Farmer’s Market, 2004). An easy option to support a more sustainable
diet is to include more local potatoes in your diet - local potatoes
are found in almost all grocery stores in Greater Sudbury!
2. Be more food self-reliant...
There are many ways to become food self-reliant. Like our grandparents, we
can grow our own food. Gardening not only produces a cheap source of fresh
produce, but is a healthy form of exercise and teaches us respect for the
environment. Items such as root vegetables store well over the winter in a cool
location. Beans, peas, carrots, and other vegetables are easily frozen for
winter use. Tomatoes and fruits can be canned, and homemade jams, jellies,
and condiments brings a sense of pride to your dinner table. A biodiverse
plant-based diet reduces your ecological footprint! Check out Eat
Local Sudbury! and Market Square on Elm Street, and Northern Flavours on
Beech Street for local food sources.
3. Cook your own meals and plan ahead!
Cooking from scratch and meal planning can go a long way to reduce FOOD
MILES. Planning your meals in advance means you make less trips to the
grocery store, and means you are less inclined to order take-out meals! Reducing
your shopping trips or shopping on the way home from work, or while on other
trips, reduces traffic congestion, smog and air pollution.
4. Reduce your transportation impact...
Understanding the impact of transportation is important. Most of our
food travels around the globe to get to our dinner plates! Fossil fuels
are comprised of carbon and hydrogen - and when burnt, carbon dioxide (CO2) and
water is produced. It is estimated that 1 litre of gasoline discharges 2.4
kilograms of CO2 into the atmosphere. This CO2 traps heat and causes climate
change. Using "green" ethanol mixes, tuning up the engine, avoiding
idling, and ensuring that tires are set at the proper pressure, all help to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing our demand on finite fossil fuel resources saves money and the
environment too!
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