Is organic farming good for the environment?
As we understand more about the environmental impact of different farming systems we can say more about the carbon footprint and sustainability of the different ways in which we can produce food. A number of studies have suggested that organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprays, and produces less carbon dioxide and less dangerous wastes. However, the environmental impact of importing food over long distances can reduce some of these benefits. Similarly a non-organic tomato grown in the UK under glass and heated using oil could have a higher carbon footprint than a non-organic tomato grown in the sunshine in the Mediterranean. In both cases, it is important to consider all aspects of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) ‘from seed to fork’ to ensure that we are comparing like with like and seeing the full picture. These are complicated issues and more research is needed, however if you are concerned about limiting climate change and reducing your carbon footprint th
