Climate Change, Carbon Footprints etc

[m3bfs]

Just been reading the Old Clothes for Charities thread and it got me thinking (very dangerous i know) as earlier was reading the news about Peru aiming for zero deforestation.

If for this thread we forget about the 'environmental cost' of getting our plants, seeds, etc to our growing areas. Is any of our growing efforts helping in anyway to reduce the greenhouse gases or even just helping to balance them a bit. I know that because most crops are only growing temporarily there isn't any long term impact like there would be if we were all planting orchards etc.

would just be nice to think that as me being 'good' with my recycling efforts as per council instructions, and dropping off clothes and rags at the hospice shop on my way past to somewhere else, may not be as 'good' as i was led to believe. that growing my own, when can get started is really going to be doing some good.


m3bfs

[Alison]

The biggest benefit you are making in growing your own is that your fresh fruit and veg haven't been trafficked all over the place, artificially heated or whatever. Also, it's unlikely that you'll have used the sort of fertilizers used in many large scale enterprizes, the manufacture of which causes considerable damage. Most carbon footprint estimtes ignore the considerable impact of food miles but in some cases it could account for a very large percentage of peoples print and one for which much of it is hidden (ie you see you're buying a European supermarket product but don't realised it's been flown back and forth for processing). Could go on but not 100% sure if this is what you're asking.

[Two_Sheds]

Alison already said it for me.
By growing my own, I am not getting unnecessary plastic packaging (which uses oil for it's production, transport and disposal).

[BrideXIII]

I only wish we had enough space to be veg self sufficient, but what space i have got is all turned over to veg now, flowers are lovely, and the bees need them, but i need veg more, and i never was great at growing flowers, so they get put in the gaps between veg.......... and you know something? i think the sight of a garden growing veg is just as beautiful as flowers, and knowing we can eat them too is a bonus.

[Snadger]

I only wish we had enough space to be veg self sufficient, but what space i have got is all turned over to veg now, flowers are lovely, and the bees need them, but i need veg more, and i never was great at growing flowers, so they get put in the gaps between veg.......... and you know something? i think the sight of a garden growing veg is just as beautiful as flowers, and knowing we can eat them too is a bonus.

A Potager is the way to go, if not a wee bit formal!

Might try a curvy potager on my next plot!

[BrideXIII]

A Potager is the way to go, if not a wee bit formal!

Might try a curvy potager on my next plot!

i don't mind formal, my garden is so small formal is probrably the way its going to look anyway, they are attractive though, i just don't understand how flowers are prettier than a caulifower, and the blossom on climbing beans is awesome, add peas in and WOW!

[Camsdad]

You could eliminate the transport carbon (apart from the initial purchase) by investing in some non F1 seeds such as these - here. Not everyone's cup of tea but if you are into reducing your footprint they may help.

Camsdad

[lynda66]

as well as all that^^^^ if you have anough space you can let a few plants of each veg go to seed, and then you don't have to order seeds either

[maytreefrannie]

I only wish we had enough space to be veg self sufficient, but what space i have got is all turned over to veg now, flowers are lovely, and the bees need them, but i need veg more, and i never was great at growing flowers, so they get put in the gaps between veg.......... and you know something? i think the sight of a garden growing veg is just as beautiful as flowers, and knowing we can eat them too is a bonus.

I deffo agree, Bride - veg are every bit as beautiful as flowers. And good for bees too, as many flower before fruiting and bees help with the pollination.

[crazy_red]

I think growing your own means you make more of an effort all round.

We recycle loo rolls and plastic packaging and windows and wood and old glass and and jam jars and the list goes on.....we each try to do our bit.

Perhaps more importantly, this hobby encourages something else that's all but lost - community.

On GYO, it may be virtual but it's very 'real' in that we nurture, encourage and help each other. We offer our support, sympathy and help through tough spots and with problems and we have a good laugh at ourselves and life in between .....

If the way we grow improves the way we live and enriches the life of others, it has to be a good thing.

If you consider our contribution to the environment, not individually, but as as the sum of our community's efforts, then we are making quite a big difference

[m3bfs]

thanks for all the input.

i was thinking along the lines of the climate damage done by all the deforestation. But i've never seen anything about how much good we do/don't do growing the 'small' plants as opposed to going out and planting new woods. And as most of the crops we grow are only growing for short periods of time (as opposed to new trees) but bearing in mind i suppose how many peeps do grow something, are we doing a lot of good (to reverse the deforestation damage) in the short term. Just by the growing of the crops. I know we help by recycling, whether in the council recycling bins (or then again maybe not) or by recycling in our gardens/allotments.

Time for bed i think, just tried knocking my orange juice over and not sure i'm making sense.

Once again thanks everybody