In every second, somebody somewhere is doing something that damages the Earth. Little things such as turning off the lights and leaving the tap water on can make a difference; it can either help the earth, or worsen it. Did you know that where you buy fruits from matters as well? The next time you go shopping for fruits, donâÂÂt go to the supermarket. Go to a local farmersâ market instead.
Once you step into the fruit aisle in the supermarket, you find apples piled up high and apples in clear bags labeled organic. There are more to these apples than you think. The apples in the high pile are commercially grown and most likely bought from an apple orchard very far from the supermarket or in another state for a cheaper price. That means that these apples contain some pesticide residue and uses up a lot of truck fuel to arrive to the supermarket. The organic apples must be better and healthier than the piled commercial apples since it a bit more expensive and organic right? Although the organic apples may be a slightly better alternative over the commercial piled apples, the bagged organic apples can be just as bad as the piled commercial apples. Organic apples are labeled âÂÂorganicâ because they are grown without pesticide and with techniques that are a bit more eco-friendlier. However, the organic apples are bought from farms far away and placed in plastic bags. This means that these apples uses up a lot of truck fuel to be delivered to the supermarket and uses up more water, energy, and nonrenewable fuels to create plastic bags that are non-biodegradable.
A farmersâ markets sell fruits that are grown through sustainable agriculture. This means that a farmersâ markets sell fruits and vegetables that are grown locally through eco-friendlier practices. According to the âÂÂFood, Fuel, and Freewaysâ study by Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Chicago, apples that were shipped to the Terminal market travelled 1,555 miles while the apples that were shipped to the farmersâ market travelled 105 miles. The 1,555 mile drive calculates to more than 10 gallons of gas used to deliver apples to the terminal market. According to the Environmental Protection Agency of Transportation and Air Quality, every gallon of gas produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. By the time the apples reach the terminal market from the farm, more than 200 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced. The apples that are shipped to the farmersâ market would save 180 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Choosing where to buy fruits may seem like a little thing, but that little thing can impact the earth. The apples from supermarkets use up a lot of fuel and deliver a lot of carbon dioxide into the earthâÂÂs atmosphere. The apples from a farmersâ market use less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide. Supporting a local farmersâ market can provide a safer environment.