Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment (한국대기환경학회지)

Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment (한국대기환경학회)
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An Analysis of Food Miles and CO2 Emission of Major Agricultural Products

국내 주요 농산물의 푸드마일리지와 이산화탄소 배출량 분석

  • Suh, Koo-Won (Department of Advertising, Hanyang Cyber University, Strategic Research Institute)
  • 서구원 (한양사이버대학교 광고미디어학과, (사)로컬푸드운동본부 전략연구소)
  • Received : 2012.10.08
  • Accepted : 2012.12.04
  • Published : 2012.12.31
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Abstract

Global warming caused by greenhouse gases is threatening our ecosystem. Moreover, our food system is in severe danger. Recently the local food system is emerging as an alternative food network, decreasing food miles and carbon dioxide emissions, protecting the safety of our foods, and helping local economy. However, carbon labelling for agricultural products has not been introduced yet in Korea. Accordingly, research on food miles and carbon labelling for agricultural products should be urgently conducted. The study compared the food miles and the carbon dioxide emission of major agricultural products. In addition, the food mileages of garlic and carrot are compared between Korea and China. The results show that radish has the highest carbon dioxide emission, and followed by onion and cabbage. These products are produced from Jeju island and have a high Shipment volume. Although Chinese Garlic and radish have lower shipping volume and food miles than Koreans, they have higher carbon dioxide emissions due to ship transportation. Based on these results some valuable implications can be identified. Current food distribution system, which heavily focuses on the Metropolitan area, should be changed into a local system, in which foods are consumed in the local area first then transported to other area.

Keywords

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