007 - Food Miles

Syllabus Point

Examine (AO3) the concept of food miles as an indicator of environmental impact.

Key Terminology

• Examine
• Indicator
• Food miles

Define the words above using either an electronic device to search, a dictionary and the 'Command Word' posters in the classroom.

Activity One - Watch

As you watch the clips below write notes on the advantages and disadvantages of food miles on the environment. There are three main examples to look for:

1. Potatoes in Egypt
2. Green beans in Kenya
3. Peppers in the Netherlands
4. Improvements in travel

This will strongly link to the Global Interactions HL Extension Paper Section 2 (Examine the changes in transport, internet or telecommunications network in terms of the extension of links and nodes and the intensity of use at a national or gloabl scale) and Section 4 (Examine the concept of food miles and the environmental consequences of increasing volumes of air freight).

Exam Style Question

"The further your food travels the greater the impact on the environment." Discuss this statement. (10 marks)

Resources

• Centre for Environmental Education
• Is local food better?
• How the myth of food miles hurts the planet - The Guardian