Environment : Ours to Enjoy and Protect   ○ Is it more important to buy local or to consume foods that require less energy to produce? The answer seems to be : both.   ○ Science is telling us that most green gas emissions are being created by food production, not food transportation.   ○ Transportation, whether by ocean, train, car, truck, or airplane contributes about 11 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.   ○ The production (cultivation) of food contributes about 83 percent of a household's food related ecological footprint of greenhouse gas emissions.   ○ The raising and distribution of red meat mainly responsible and, of all food groups, plays the largest part in the emission of greenhouse gases.   ○ Dairy products are the second largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions.   ○ Chicken, fish, eggs, are examples of lower greenhouse gas emission contributors.   ○ Animal products release large amounts of nitrous oxide, and animal/dairy production releases the majority of methane emissions.   ○ One study found that globalization of the food market has increased greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent. Buying local helps.   ○ The same study concludes that the production of food, especially that of red meat and dairy, has more of an impact on greenhouse emissions than does transportation.

○ The latest research indicates that if consumers of red meat and dairy reduced their consumption by about 25 percent, they would be reducing their overall contribution of greenhouse gas emissions as much as if they were to buy local.   ○ Water quality, acid rain, smog, pesticides and other factors play a key role in the health of our environment.   ○ Buying local seems logical and is our first choice.   ○ Keep in mind that the foods we eat are as, if not more important in reducing our ecological footprint and in doing our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.   ○ Choose chicken, fish, and, soy milk, eggs or other great food sources instead of red meat and dairy.   Note: There is a question about the value of soy products for teens because of the phyto estrogen content.   ○ If you are a red meat eater, think about becoming a vegetarian once, twice, or even three times week.   ○ If you are a red meat eater, reduce your daily portions of red meat.   ○ Buying local is important, but the choice of foods we consume may be even more important.