Growing organic means less pollution.

Jersey could reduce its carbon footprint by five per cent by buying local organic food, according to a report by the Jersey Organic Association. The study claims that organic growing techniques produce 30 per cent less carbon dioxide than conventional methods because they do not use pesticides and herbicides.

Because most organic food is grown locally, the study says that less CO2 is being used to transport food from England to Jersey.

One of the authors of the report, Mark Forskitt, says that a reduction of 500 kg per person per year in CO2 emissions is the equivalent of driving a car 1,000 miles, or flying 100 kg of freight from New Zealand to Jersey. According to the report shipping food from the south coast of England produces 100 kg of CO2 per person per year.

The report points out that for a minor lifestyle change such as buying organic, there would be a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

The report was compiled through a survey of local shops, organic farmers, and other retailers.