Students from around the world calculated their class mean and standard deviations for their footprints and posted them on our world map.
Do you see differences across the globe? If so, why do you think those differences exist?
Did you use the calculator to try to reduce your footprint down to the average from a citizen of another country? What changes would you have to make to lower your footprint in this way? Are you going to try and take some of these actions in your daily life?
Student Footprints >
Local Foods
On average, a U.S. food item travels over 1200 miles before being consumed. An 18 wheeler gets 5.9 mpg, which produces 236 pounds of carbon per trip. Locally grown foods are healthier and help the environment. Mass production of produce puts profits in front of the environment and the health of a consumer. Locally grown produce contains more nutrients and creates less CO2. You can support locally grown produce by purchasing from them at farmers markets and in grocery stores.
I agree. Purchasing local foods would definitely be beneficial for the environment. Most people do not consider this when they go to the grocery store and pick fruit from all the way across the country. If everybody was a bit more educated on this, everybody could do their part and it would be beneficial for the climate. Also, local foods are proven to be healthier. On top of that, when you buy local foods you are supporting local businesses.
I also agree with buying local foods. If we cut the mileage that some foods have to travel to reach the U.S. it would be better for the environment and possibly for us. For food to travel over long distances it is not guaranteed fresh for consumption. Not only if we cultivated our own food we would know whats being put in or on it, but we would also know how fresh it is.
I agree with buying local foods as it would be beneficial to our environment. Not only does it waste more resources to bring food all the way across the country. You're also supporting a monopoly of large companies just looking to make a profit. If you buy food locally it supports the local economy and also supports the making of healthy food by people near you.
Well, there happens to be a predicament when it comes to gaining access to fresher food, especially to those who are not completely educated on where their food comes from. Also, what about the low income families who cant afford locally grown food, and have to resort to food that has been imported. I know that the nearest health food store to me is Whole Foods, and they are expensive so I don't always choose the locally grow options , but I do agree locally grown food is better food.