Date of publication: August 18, 2009
Source: Ecologist (UK)
Author: Pat Thomas
What's the real price of your bouquet? Pat Thomas dishes the dirt on cut flower production in less-industrialised countries
In 2007, just in time for Valentine's Day, then UK minister for International Development Hilary Benn told consumers to buy flowers flown in from Kenya, rather than European hothouse flowers. 'People want to buy ethically and do their bit for climate change, but often don't realise that they can support developing countries and reduce carbon emissions. Recent research shows that flowers flown from Africa can use less energy overall than those produced in Europe because they're not grown in heated greenhouses.' 'This is about social justice' he continued 'and making it easier, not harder, for African people to make a decent living.'...