Everyone on Earth has what is known as a carbon footprint -

This footprint is a measure of how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted as a result of a person's activities and lifestyle.  Each kilowatt of electricity that we use, mile we drive, and even the things that we choose to purchase contribute to our carbon footprints and thus to our individual impacts on the environment.  

There are also things that each of us can do to reduce our carbon emissions and make a smaller carbon footprint.  Planting trees is one great way to do this, and there are companies and organizations that focus on helping each of us to reduce our carbon footprints by paying for trees to be planted in deforested areas.  

Another great way to reduce our carbon footprint and do our part toward helping the environment is to reduce our food miles by purchasing local produce.  Food miles are actually a big contributor to carbon emissions.

Many of us are quite tempted by fruits and vegetables that are not native to our areas, or that are out of season where we live.  When we give into temptation and purchase these fruits and vegetables, we are buying something that had to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to get to our table.  

This means that that fruit or vegetable is at least partly responsible for the truck, plane, train, and/or boat emissions that brought it from its local home to your home town.  By purchasing that fruit or vegetable, you are providing the sellers a perfect reason to do it again and again to meet demand, meaning that you are contributing to the CO2 emissions yourself.

Even local, in season produce found in the big grocery stores might not actually be local.  The big chains might have set suppliers or deals worked out with growers farther away who are willing to give them a bargain.  To be sure that what you are getting has few food miles to its name, ask your store manager for locally grown produce and see if they have an answer for you. 

Most likely they will not be able to offer what you are asking for, but if you turn that question into a request, it might be something that they are willing to consider.  

In the mean time, check listings in your paper for the dates and locations of your local farmer's market.  You can buy fruits and vegetables as well as local crafts straight from the farmers who produce them, and can do so in a festive and friendly atmosphere to boot. 

Most people find that the locally grown produce found in farmer's markets is fresher and tastier than the foods that they get from the supermarket anyway.  

By supporting these local farmers, you are not just keeping local industry alive and thriving, you are also helping to support the environment by reducing the food miles that your own food travels.  Once supermarkets in your area see a reduced amount of sales in their produce because of you and all of the friends and family that are following you to the locally grown produce, they will reduce their purchases and therefore reduce the CO2 output for the produce that they sell. 

Perhaps they might even turn to local produce to appease people like you, who would rather buy things the ecologically friendly way.  

Our carbon footprints make a big difference in the long run, and by reducing our footprints, we keep our world healthier for the next generation. 

If the only cost to you is buying fresher, tastier food from friendly, local people, then the answer to this particular question should be easy.  Buying locally grown produce is a must.

www.live-naturally.co.uk