Costs of shopping
New Scientist reports that the costs of shopping are stranger than we might think. We are often warned by environmental groups of the environmental dangers of the “air miles” racked up by food grown elsewhere in the world. However, a study of the hidden costs of our shopping show that, whereas international transport and waste disposal together occupy less than 0.02% of the hidden costs, driving to and from the shops occupies 29.2%! Agriculture (pesticides, pollution and so forth) constitutes 18.8% and domestic transport (from farm to shop) 15.8%. The missing 36.2% is made up of government subsidies.
So, if we really want to reduce the environmental impact of our lifestyle, it actually makes far more sense to walk (or bicycle) to the local shops rather than assiduously avoid imported food at the out-of-town supermarket. Even if we have to spend a little more cash up front, we reduce the hidden costs far more effectively that way.
pax et bonum
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