Eating Locally Does Reduce Greenhouse Emissions
With more than half of Australia's agricultural land being drought-declared, grain prices at record highs, permanent plantations under threat and our Prime Minister warning of a food shortage, the question arises: will we, and should we, be eating differently in the future? How much more will be paying for our meat and three veg? And where will they be coming from?
~ Insight, SBS 23rd October, 2007The problem is simple enough. Growing food requires water, shipping it requires fuel. These days, with oil running out, more and more crops are being grown to create fuel. Anyway you look at it, the combination punches a giant hole in the production of fresh fruit and vegetables for consumption.
The sad truth is, that farmers in Australia are going broke and whilst some politicians believe that there is no need to have a local produce ‘market’ in Australia, environmentalists will beg to differ, because of the unsustainable resource-costs of transportation on imports. It raises the question too, of why the Australian government cannot implement recycled water for agriculture, when imported produce is watered in many dubious ways, without classification?
For those who caught the Insight programme on the SBS last night, entitled 'Food Bill,’ you really have to question the ‘suits’ who claim that we do not need local farming. Or, that subsidies should not be granted to farmers, who cannot repay them. The show revealed much more in that most Australian farmers, are currently in debt, up to the tune of $800,000.
Brian Toohey from the Financial Review said to farmers on the show;
“…. I'm asking why should you get subsidies more than someone else who is running a small business with a lot of stress?
The author of Stuffed and Starved, Raj Patel, then commented by satellite feed, saying;,
I mean, I'm here in the United States, WHERE we're about to pass $286 billion farm subsidy program over the next five years. And the way farm subsidies work here is actually, it's the richest farmers who get the most money, and small farmers, family farmers are actually being squeezed out. But there is an argument for supporting farmers. I mean, we support teachers, for example, because they educate our children, we support nurses because they take care of our sick. There's a strong public goods argument to make for supporting farmers who take care of the environment because, I mean, as you say, water use is, it's centrally involved in agriculture. I mean, people don't really understand, I guess. It's always surprising to Australians to hear that, as a country, Australia is a net water exporter because, you know, it takes 15,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of beef, for example, if you add up all the water that goes into growing the wheat and what have you. Between '95 and '99, Australia exported 145 billion cubic metres of water.
Brian Toohey remained adamant and incredulously, went on to say ‘… that when the water runs out in Australia, we’ll just import our food…. It’ll be cheaper, because when the Carbon Credits system is in swing and Carbon is priced... we'll just import from the third world countries, who don't rate Carbon.
~ Full transcript Here
Maybe it’s just me, but I can see a whole plethora of problems with this kind of thinking?
I was really pleased to see a young guy in the audience, stand up and outline the need for local produce and that the issue really is about variety and a need for self sufficiency, as well as water resources ... and not to forget the issue of crops now being grown by third world countries to create ethanol, may inhibit imports and limit our variety A LOT!
The response was still a defiant - WHEN IT RAINS, no matter how many times these 'suits' were asked if they could entertain the notion of a permanent ‘climate shift’ due to the incessant need to float the affluent economy on dwindling resources.
The response from Terry O'Brien, managing director, Simplot Australia, when pinned down to a ‘concrete’ on this point, was that Australian farmers ‘will adapt...’
I am still trying to figure out how, if there is no water and no infrastructure to recycle it?
Meanwhile, it was announced that a 25% rise in the average Australian food bill is on the cards by Christmas this year as a result. It will not stop there apparently becoming dearer and dearer, forcing us to re-think the way we eat.
Still incredulous that Kyoto can be ignored …
What do you think?
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From The Home Front
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Thank you for leaving your thoughts on this grave issue.
I guess it's all the same with the global economy amongst the affluent ...too true; and as comforting as that should sound, it doesn't. It just makes me realise how serious the problem is, when it affects people such as yourself... so very far away. Worse in fact, because your population is huge and I understand that the states has converted much by the way of corn for ethanol production, in order to keep that lifestyle going and our SUV's on the road.
Surely this is utter madness in anyone's book, even those that drive them for legitimate purposes?
In Australia we expect steak many times a week more than we need... and both our countries reveal the obese truth of the facts of our affluent lifestyle is killing us all.
I have never been able to kill anything, and abhor blood sports, but am comforted to know that you could provide your own food... I may have to read some more of those fishing tips of yours...
Lilla ...
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...indeed, and some savvy restuaranters are starting to diversify their menu to offer alternatives like - shall we say, vegetable-type substitute meals for meat protien... as it has been in Europe for the past 50 years, especially in places like Italy.
Sadly, the long run of our current government, has virtually allowed the small 'mom and pop' local vegetable greengrocers to all be shut down. Viscious price wars by large conglomerate supermarkets, kill them off as quickly as the variety of species on this planet diminishes. In many states, only the biggest of cheaper free markets in the major cities thrive, those that do outside of the cities, have prices similar to those of the large chain-supermarkets... probably the sourced from the same commerical suppliers too.
I still think there is hope though, as public relisation produces a mjor shift in the way affluent society behaves... perhaps less waste as resources dry up?
Governments too will eventually give way to younger politicians, ready to shift dollars to infrastructure to support the adaptation of the obvious climate shift ... until things cool down again and more sustainable alternatives are found.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
Lilla ..
Flick Wit
My parents are beef farmers. Luckily, they don't rely solely on the farm for income, because many that do are seriously struggling, particularly dairy farmers, who see their returns barely cover their expenditure - and then they go to the supermarket and see the milk marked up by about 2000%.
My parents try to farm with a balance between immediate livlihood and caring for the environment. They have land set aside solely for trees, and often feed the cattle from produce waste pallets.
Michaelie
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*Interesting* how the views are still so * insular*...
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You raise such valid points because farmers don't get to set their prices, wheras anyone else in small business does... as an 'outsider,' it just seems so horribly unfair to me?
So many farmers have had to diversify their crops, I understand?
I think your parents must be special people to work so hard for so little and I wish, ney I hope, the next government gives them all a better time... not to mention subsidies for water recycling infrastructure.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lilla ...
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I have to agree again, so insular in fact, that I was stunned that such things would be said openly on TV, when so much, is so obvious, to so many?
Yes, I eat very local and I grow many of my own salad stuff, especially tomatoes and capsicum, lettuce and cucumbers. I am lucky that in Qld, the weather is good all year round... otherwise I always try to support the small green grocer over Multi-national supermarkets anyday.... unfortunately I do have to venture into them for other packged goods, but I like to keep that to a minimum too.
Good to know that I'm not alone...
Cheers
Lilla ...
Flick Wit
Lilla,
I guess they do it because they love it, because they both have professional careers as well. I honestly don't know how they manage it!
There is that difference between a small business owner and a farmer, because one is at the beginning of the process and the other at the end. And it wouldn't be viable for a farmer to do both.
And yes, my parents have had to agist land, and grow rye, etc to keep things steady. Much as they love it, they still can't afford to make huge losses.
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It's such a joke, because in the end, we all get ripped off when the resource runs dry.
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*wiping forehead* Phew! It makes me tired just trying to imagine being on both ends of this food chain as you say they are? Wow : that's dedication... propbably more to the point that working professionally covers the cost of running the farm when times are slow. Power to them for their efforts.
We owe them much for their determination and dedication.
Lilla ...
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
The treatment of farmers by companies such as Coles-Myer and Woolworths is nothing more than a scandal.
Farm gate prices are outrageously low - and livestock producers, dairy farmers and those involved in the horticulture industries are being hardest hit by collusive buying deals between companies.
Generally speaking, farmers are more environmentally aware than anyone. If they play havoc with their land - they play havoc with their future. Mixed farming properties are becoming more and more common place these days as diversification is sometimes the difference between keeping the family farm or selling up completely.
Nice post Lilla
Good on you for saying your piece
MNG
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I absolutely agree and it’s exactly why farmers should get subsidies (or maybe why they even need them) …
I mean it’s not like the butcher is it? He can get up in the morning and say, “My bills are high this month, I think I’ll charge a few extra cents on this and that and make up the deficit.”
Whereas the farmer gets to the market and he is told how much his produce is worth, like it or lump it, regardless of his overheads...?
This calls in to question the pricing structure itself, to me.
I won’t even go near what the multi-national supermarkets do to outprice the small guy and this government that has allowed it for 12 years, forcing so many onto welfare to live below the poverty line …
Great comment, thanks.
Lilla …
Celebrity Obsession
Looks like we all someone who is in the farming industry! My uncle was a dairy farmer and a friends dad still is one and wholeheartedly agree with the unfair treatment they get on the sale of their produce.
Eating local just makes good sense. Sadly of course, good sense and economic sense don't always go hand in hand do they??
I must say, wherever possible I buy my fruit & vegetables and other fresh produce at local grocers or stores rather than the big supermarkets. Though those establishments are becoming more and more rare!
Kylie
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So sad, but so true... especially when you consider that we elect governments to work for us in the best interests of us all. I always thought food was perhaps the most important comodity of all?
That should be the trueism of the week!
Thanks for the great comment.
Lilla ...
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Oh don't even get me started on this...... I feel very strongly about so much what you have written here. There is not enough room for a cogent reply so I will sign off with this
Magnifique'
Mis
ooohhh this subject really bugs the life out of me. I see red with this because I deal with it on a daily basis and am continually frustrated when I receive produce from Brisbane that has a Kuluin lable on it!
Um Brian Toohey needs his head read! Obviously he is too much on the Tooheys and too little on the fresh fruit and veg!
And so we`ll just drain all the 3rd world countries - where people are starving already - and take away their food and then when that runs out???
I was amazed to hear the other day that the Government is paying farmers $100 000 to walk away from their farms. why? why would you do that? Instead of saying here`s the money start implementing farming systems that are already being adopted in dry countries. It`s ludicrous. What do they think that people don`t eat in third world countries which are drought stricken?
Because I work in this sector I try to get as much as I can locally and I am shocked that, in an area that produces so much, there is no big produce market here like the Brisbane markets where I have to order from. INstead the produce gets shipped down to Brisbane to the markets only for it to have to be shipped back up here to the coast where I sell it from. It seems stupid.
Where I can I get local produce but that means that I have 5 or 6 people making delivery runs here because there is no central place to get from.
So now with all that running around and changing of hands the price gets passed on to the consumer unneccesarily inflating the price of the produce - which is grown just up the road!
Don`t even get me started on Coles and Woolworths! (On a recent course I went on I learned there are 39 new Woolworths scheduled to be built in Qld alone in the upcoming year. Pushing out the small businesses if people don`t start doing something about supporting local businesses Woolworths are soon going to take over and monopolize the food market - everyone has to eat, everyone has to pay their prices.)
So what do I think? I THINK EAT LOCAL and grow your own where you can.
Ash
Flashes of memories
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I understand how you feel; it’s taken me a long time to get to talk about it, because the blatant philistine mismanagement of natural resources infuriates me so much... I can understand avoiding politics and religion in polite conversation, but I think sex and the environment are not to be avoided as topics of conversation, any more …
Thank you for your wonderful encouragement.
Lilla …
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My point exactly… they are (not) thinking / cannot through the greed and power?
As for shipping your produce ‘around the world and back again,’ just so Woolworths can outprice you on their over waxed and injected faux-fruit and veg… it's farcical to the point of not being able to be laughed at – because it does matter.
For me it’s all about a government that allows the multi-nationals to walk all over the little guy and push him out, without implementing legislation to promote small business through local markets (like government here used to) … the Global village catch call beckons us all over the cliff like lemmings.
Woolworths is notorious for building on sites that are otherwise, natural habitat for the last remaining species of several kinds … and are responsible for killing off as many. Just recently, a rare green swamp frog found only in Melany. Not to mention several varieties of native orchids that are now kaput, too.
How can we not get angry, when Malaney already had a great greengrocer, some of the most amazing bakeries, a smaller supermarket and a great little country chemist…no wonder we are loosing our values...
I will not shop at Woolworths for anything. To me that is intrinsically where the dog buries the bone. People support it regardless of knowing the truth, because they have lost their scruples (along with their marbles)... One lady says to me, 'the REAL fruit from the greengrocer doesn’t last as long.' Another neighbour waffles on about 'Coles having empty shelves and less variety.' Another yet – in passing – moans about 'the isle width not being adequate at IGA,' or the like. It stinks that people can be so mindless and then turn around and be so judgemental when they watch the hard evidence on current affairs on the TV. But like everything else, I blame consumerism and TV for having made everything seem so remote and far away …
*Getting off the soapbox now, sorry*
*Hanging Head* I wish I had a magic wand right now and could change it all. I shall just have to keep those positive visions of justice and truth in my mind and strengthen my faith that judgement day will come. Babylon will fall again and the new order will contain a better, more evenly based system for all nations on the planet. Etc., etc.
Ash, I wish you well in your endeavours and am here to help support you in your ‘good fight,’ anyway I can. Power to you.
*changing the subject*
Looks like those rain dances of mine worked again *chuckle* we had a few mls since this morning. Woo hoo.
Hope the same for you, sweetie. Have a relaxing weekend.
Lilla …
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
Very good article you have got there, I remember when I was in Toowoomba back in 2003, there were so many advertisements about getting back into agriculture and encouraging young ones to work with the orchards. It looked so nice and I was wondering what I'm in IT at the first place...
(I'm still in IT... not very good with my green hands)
I am more shocked when I saw what Ash posted! It happens the same in Malaysia right now where government bought lands from farmers and the farmers became "instant millionaires" in order to build more roads, more "white elephant" buildings and more housing development when the Malaysian government strongly aware that it is currently over developed and "blood suckers" are manipulating the housing market prices.
It is a sad reality that Trading Industry is the magnet for people who just wants to earn tons of money and be like the celebrities, showered with glamorous lifestyle.
And that you, Lilla, as woke me up with this. HOW LONG will our Earth survive with all this, one day even the wealthiest person will suffer among the poor and their money useless when there isn't anything to buy to survive - food. The source is dying, and when it dies completely how can we have products at the end of the line?
Right now I have just moved to a new place, it is now 35 minutes walk to work but I am still doing my best to make a point to walk to work, at least twice a week, and climb the stairs instead of taking lifts if the floor isn't too high up.
My vegetable pots isn't surviving well because of limited space in my apartment (I used to stay on landed property) but I am doing my best to support local food which cost 1/7 of the food price we have in fast food areas.
Bottom line is, very encouraging article Lilla, and I will do my best to promote your post to many people I know.
Have a blessed day
Jessicca
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It is lovely to see you, again.
This is so sad and so true ...and I would say okay, if it was put by for future generations ... but it is not.
It does my heart in, to think of starving children standing besides a cornfield in Brazil ~ or even the girls working the streets in the ghetto's ~ for food for their families, whilst the corn is harvested in front of them ... and processed to keep the SUV's on the roads of those living like kings across the planet. Sometimes it feels like we are in Egypt still in the time of the great Pharaohs?
I agree with you on Ash's comment, she is at the coal face alright and it makes my head spin to think of the ridiculous 'structure' that the government has allowed where all this is concerned. ... That they offer $100,000 to farmers to walk off their land is ...just ...plain... unbelievable!
I truly believe the little person has great power though, but only as a united front. Unfortunately TV and propaganda has divided and conquered that, way out of people altogether... no one wants to boycott anything anymore ... values are not important... living like celebrity is.
How shallow.
Thanks for your wonderful comment Jessica, I hope all is going well with you. The new job sounds like much fun... computers aren't so bad in the right place, like washing machines and fridges... they are not a bad invention... but I will never be convinced that they save time *chuckle*
Lotsa love to you and yours
Lilla ...
The Pagan Path
I Love Herbs
Our farmer's markets run from October through May (we live in south Florida so our growing season is different than the rest of the USA). But even a lot of the farmer's market produce is being shipped in from other areas so you really have to ask each individual vendor if they are actually growing the produce or just shipping it in from Mexico or wherever.
Another area I'm trying to educate all my friends on is organic food. We have a huge organic grocery store chain down here - Whole Foods. Tons of great organic produce but they get it from all over the world. So yes, they are buying non-genetically modified, organic food, free of pesticides but if the fruit is being shipped from California or Mexico or wherever we are kind of missing the point of environmentally friendly food.
I used to grow tons of my own vegetables and herbs. Due to some family problems I'm only growing herbs so far this year. But I might be able to pot up a container or two of salad greens and bell peppers this weekend if time permits.