Environmental impact and sustainability

Food and the environment

• Food miles are the distance food travels from where it is produced to where it is eaten. Air-freighted food has a large carbon footprint.
• Buying local and seasonal food reduces food miles, supports local farmers and is often fresher.
• Intensive farming produces large amounts of cheap food but can harm animal welfare and the environment (such as fertiliser run-off). Organic and free-range farming reduce some harms but often cost more.
• Meat, especially beef, has a much bigger carbon footprint and uses more land and water than plant foods.

Food waste and packaging

• A lot of food is wasted in UK homes. Reduce waste by planning meals, using leftovers, storing food correctly and understanding date marks.
• Packaging protects food and extends shelf life, but creates waste. Choose recyclable or reusable packaging and avoid excess.

Food security and sustainability

• Food security means everyone having access to enough safe, nutritious food.
• Threats include climate change, population growth, and wars. Sustainable fishing (such as fish with the MSC label) protects fish stocks.
• Genetically modified (GM) crops can resist pests or drought and increase yields, but some people worry about their effects on health and the environment.
• Guernsey imports most of its food, so island food security depends on shipping, although local produce such as fish, dairy and vegetables helps.

Key terms

Food miles

The distance food travels from producer to consumer.

Carbon footprint

The greenhouse gases produced by a food over its life.

Seasonal food

Food eaten at the time of year it naturally grows.

Food security

Everyone having access to enough safe, nutritious food.

Intensive farming

Farming that produces large amounts of food from a small area.

GM food

Food from plants or animals whose genes have been changed.

Sustainable

Able to continue without harming the environment for the future.