Environmental Benefits of Organic and Locally Produced Food
Conventional food production methods have dramatically increased food output and reduced the cost of food but unfortunately, the nature is paying a high price for relatively cheap food. Intensive agriculture involves the use of severely toxic chemicals which have a devastating effect on the environment and pose a serious threat to human health. Conventionally produced foods can contain residues of pesticides and other chemicals used in crop production, whereas animal food products can contain antibiotics, growth hormones and a number of other dubious substances as most animal food products in groceries originate from the so-called factory farms. These are marked by confinement of animals at high stocking density which makes these animals more susceptible to diseases requiring both pesticide and antibiotic use to reduce the risk and spread of diseases between the animals.
Although conventional food products that are on the shelves in groceries are said to be safe for human consumption, more and more people are choosing organic food instead. The latter is produced without the use of chemicals and as a result, there is no risk of any pesticide or antibiotic residues. It is also believed to be more nutritious because in contrary to conventional food, organic food products must not contain any artificial preservatives. As a result, organic food must be eaten sooner which is particularly important for fresh fruits and vegetables which start losing nutritional value as soon as they are harvested. However, organic food is not only healthier but it is also friendlier to the environment.
Organic food production methods require strict avoidance of chemicals that are used in conventional agriculture and are among the severest environmental pollutants. Pesticides for instance which are used in large amounts in crop production do not kill only the harmful pests but are also severely toxic to other species, in the first place insects including pollinators such as honeybees and bumblebees which play the key role in food production. What is worse, as pests are developing resistance to the existing chemicals, these are becoming more and more toxic and many have become lethal even for birds and small mammals.
In addition to posing a serious threat to wildlife species, the chemicals used in conventional agriculture are also contaminating the soil and groundwater. Organic food production, on the other hand, uses no such chemicals which makes it incomparably more environmentally friendly. But there is more. Organic farming does not destroy wildlife habitat in such extent as conventional farming as its method base on working with the nature rather than against it. As a result, many organic farms are attracting local wildlife species rather than driving them away.
In addition to choosing organic over conventional food products, you should also focus on locally produced food. That way you will support the local economy as well as help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions related to transportation of food from exotic destinations.
If you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you are highly recommended to use organic gardening methods and avoid the use of pesticides. But if you have to use a pesticide, choose an organic one which is just as effective as the chemical one but is not toxic to the environment nor your health.