Why is shopping locally beneficial to the environment? Much of the negative environmental impact of acquiring goods has to do with the transportation means necessary to ship items far and wide.
Transportation translates to pollution in the form of noxious carbon emissions and unnecessary use of resources like fuel that aren’t as much a factor when goods are produced nearer to where they are consumed.
Regarding locally sourced produce alone, the benefits include the fact that many local farms eschew the use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides which supports a more natural ecosystem that encourages biodiversity. Additionally, what they produce is consumed; their food is not overproduced for mass distribution where it is subjected to the opportunity to spoil, which accounts for as much as 8% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, sourcing goods locally helps prevent the “urban sprawl” that leads to congestion and habitat loss for wildlife. Encouraging local businesses with our patronage supports their efforts to maintain a small carbon footprint.
For more information about Alpine Bank’s sustainability and conservation efforts, please visit our Green Initiatives webpage.
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