The real price of peas

From The Independent. 

 

We’re all for world peace, but world peas are proving a problem. The humble veg is making its mark on a global scale – and not in a good way.

 

Research has found that one of the UK’s most popular greens produces more than 10 times its own weight in greenhouse gas emissions if it is flown in from outside Europe. And that’s 20 times more carbon dioxide than peas grown naturally in this country.

 

The study reported that 8,000 tons of peas are air-freighted into the UK each year from countries including Kenya and Guatemala. The scientists said that increasing by about a quarter UK production of only five fruit and vegetables – peas, strawberries, cherries, garlic and apples – would reduce annual emissions dramatically.

 

“The climate change impact of flying food into the UK is considerable,” said Dr. Peter Hooda, of Kingston University London, who co-authored the study which is published in the journal Environmental Science and Policy. “We worked out that reducing imports of those five fruit and veg by 25 percent could save 28,900 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

 

“The amount of emissions associated with the air-freighted pea is enormous, generating [the equivalent of] 80,100 tons of carbon dioxide,” Dr. Hooda said.

 

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