Sir, – Dave Mathieson recommends that to “eat local is a good idea” and “moving toward a plant-based diet” is effective when it comes to food-based emissions (Letters, July 21st).
In 2018, the Scottish government encouraged Scottish local councils to support community growing initiatives. They listed the many benefits of growing your own food locally. “Carbon emissions (including reducing energy use, more sustainable transport and less waste) can be reduced by between 2kg and 5kg of carbon equivalent for every kilo of vegetable produced.”
Ireland currently has approximately 2,500 local authority allotments and community gardens, with eight local authorities currently failing to provide any. Germany and Poland provide over a million plots each. Denmark, with a similar population to Ireland, provides over 40,000 plots.
Community Gardens Ireland have recently called for the Government of Ireland to support the doubling of the number of allotments and community gardens by 2025.
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We built a bungalow on what was initially a boggy patch in my parents’ sloped front garden in Kerry
This is one small and achievable step to help communities to grow their own food but not their emissions. – Yours, etc,
DÓNAL McCORMACK,
Chair,
Community
Gardens Ireland,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow.
