Now all we need to do is show the right information at the right time. In the UK’s case, here are some things I think they need to consider:
- when is it “right” (not) to buy local?
- are the metrics (in this case the “food miles” the right ones to show, presenting all countries in an equal light?

Honing in on the right metrics to represent everyone is extremely challenging, and you point out a case where this particular metric did some (potential) damage to goods from Kenya.

Definately give me a ring when you are in town, I’d love to meet up!

A few weeks ago I was following a controversy in which Tesco, the UK’s big supermarket chain, came under fire for labeling various items with “food miles” stickers. These were intended help shoppers make more informed decisions about the carbon footprint of their purchasing decisions, but of course, “food miles” is only one part of a product’s carbon-emissions lifecycle. The “food miles” stickers were evidently having a negative impact on organic growers in Kenya, whose produce overall has quite a low carbon footprint even though it is air freighted to Europe.

It would be interesting to know what methods Dillon, et. al., disagree with, and whether these overlap with Tesco’s recent PR blunder.

Personally, I do buy lower carbon-emission goods when I can, and when finding out the environmental impact is reasonably easy. I’m wondering if the run-up in oil prices will force a shakeout of high-emissions products… I can’t imagine products with huge carbon footprints can be profitable at $140/bbl.

I really enjoy your blog here, by the way, and I think Social Venture Labs is a great idea. If I can make it back to the NW anytime soon I’ll certainly be looking into attending a workshop.