Terms and Definitions

MHI2 — 2013-09-23 08:08:53 UTC

Food Air Miles: A "food mile" is the distance food travels from the farm to the store where you buy it, and these miles are costly to the environment. They are, in fact, among the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Long-haul trucking requires enormous amounts of fossil fuel, the combustion of which releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Keeping food cold and unbruised requires even more fuel in the form of refrigeration and packaging. And let's not forget the impact of long-distance flyers such as apples from New Zealand and Chilean grapes. Distances have been increasing in recent decades, as foods increasingly are imported.

Source and Further Reading: Food Miles - Energy Consumption and Food - The Daily Green

Carbon Footprint: A carbon footprint is the measure of the environmental impact of a particular individual or organization's lifestyle or operation, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

A carbon footprint is composed of two parts, a primary and secondary footprint. The primary footprint is the sum of the direct carbon dioxide emissions of burning of fossil fuels, like domestic energy consumption by furnaces and waters heaters, and transportation, like automobiles and airplane travel. The secondary footprint is the sum of indirect emissions associated with the manufacture and breakdown of all products, services and food an individual or business consumes.

Soure: Whatis.com

Carbon Neutral: Carbon neutral, or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. It is used in the context of carbon dioxide releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, and industrial processes such as production of carbon neutral fuel.

Source: Wikipaedia.com

Seasonal Food: Seasonality of food refers to the times of year when a given type food is at its peak, either in terms of harvest or its flavour. This is usually the time when the item is the cheapest and the freshest on the market. The food's peak time in terms of harvest usually coincides with when its flavour is at its best.

Source: Wikipaedia

Activity 1: Your Carbon Footprint

MHI2 — 2013-09-23 15:43:35 UTC

Download and complete this activity investigating your families collective carbon footprint.

Seasonal Food and Carbon Footprints by Marianne Harrison Ismay

Terms and Definitions

Websites and Useful Links

Activity 1: Your Carbon Footprint

Fruit and Vege List for