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**9V42h1eT** · 09-01-2012, 12:47 PM

Buying "climate friendly" products is actually more complicated than that.

In many cases, local products worsen global warming MORE than imported ones. For instance, in Denmark, it's better to buy Spanish tomatoes than Danish. The reason is that Danish (and other Northern European) tomatoes are grown in greenhouses which are heated most of the year. Obviously, this requires a lot of energy, so buying tomatoes transported from Spain on a truck is actually better for the climate. The same is true for cucumbers, peppers etc.

Well, that would depend on the season. You can buy Danish tomatoes in summer, but Spanish ones in Spring and Autumn. In winter even Spanish tomatoes will come from heated greenhouses.

Oh no, protectionism

If people think that South Americans flowers are better or more beautiful than French ones, let them buy those! Personally, I support free trade both inside and outside the EU, and for example, I don't care if the apples I buy are from Denmark or Argentina. If the Argentinian apples taste better, I will buy them. Buying local agricultural products isn't protectionism. Protectionism would be setting high taxes on foreign imports. In this case what I am saying is buy your roses or tulips from local growers rather than those imported from far away. Of course if they have different varieties of flowers (e.g. tropical) in South America that can't be grown easily in Europe or are better quality over there, then there is no issue. But why by Chinese apples in summer when there are plenty of European ones ? If it's just because they are a bit cheaper, think about the impact of transportation on the environment, and think about the local economy too.

Trading with third world countries is the best way we can help them, and protectionism is always a BAD idea (the EU agricultural subsidies are a disgrace

) As long as they don't specialise in producing food or flowers that can be grown in Europe. I buy tropical fruits from tropical countries, but I won't buy plums and pears from them, even if they are cheaper.

09-01-2012, 12:47 PM	#3
9V42h1eT Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 430 Senior Member	Buying "climate friendly" products is actually more complicated than that. In many cases, local products worsen global warming MORE than imported ones. For instance, in Denmark, it's better to buy Spanish tomatoes than Danish. The reason is that Danish (and other Northern European) tomatoes are grown in greenhouses which are heated most of the year. Obviously, this requires a lot of energy, so buying tomatoes transported from Spain on a truck is actually better for the climate. The same is true for cucumbers, peppers etc. Well, that would depend on the season. You can buy Danish tomatoes in summer, but Spanish ones in Spring and Autumn. In winter even Spanish tomatoes will come from heated greenhouses. Oh no, protectionism If people think that South Americans flowers are better or more beautiful than French ones, let them buy those! Personally, I support free trade both inside and outside the EU, and for example, I don't care if the apples I buy are from Denmark or Argentina. If the Argentinian apples taste better, I will buy them. Buying local agricultural products isn't protectionism. Protectionism would be setting high taxes on foreign imports. In this case what I am saying is buy your roses or tulips from local growers rather than those imported from far away. Of course if they have different varieties of flowers (e.g. tropical) in South America that can't be grown easily in Europe or are better quality over there, then there is no issue. But why by Chinese apples in summer when there are plenty of European ones ? If it's just because they are a bit cheaper, think about the impact of transportation on the environment, and think about the local economy too. Trading with third world countries is the best way we can help them, and protectionism is always a BAD idea (the EU agricultural subsidies are a disgrace ) As long as they don't specialise in producing food or flowers that can be grown in Europe. I buy tropical fruits from tropical countries, but I won't buy plums and pears from them, even if they are cheaper.
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