Tuesday, May 3, 2011

the complexities of energy use in the food system

Here's a recent update on these issues from CNBC
http://www.cnbc.com/id/42572375/

Most interesting, I think, is the reminder that the greatest energy efficiency is to be found in regional food systems. Way local is better than global shipping, but regional is best.

Also, using elbow grease rather than an array of electric appliances as well as getting rid of the second fridge at home can make a real difference - or could if we all did it.

So can the shift that keeps coming up - less meat and dairy in our diets.

I'd like to know the energy use difference between local cheese from pastured cows bought on a trip I would have made anyway and tofu shipped from whoknowswhere made from soybeans from whoknowswhere.

A recent USDA report on energy and the food system can be found here:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR94/ERR94.pdf

No comments: