In rencent years, people have been exposed to a wide selection of food and ingredients which have been transported across the world. In my perspective, this trend brings more significant benefits over drawbacks.
One of the most glaring downsides of transporting goods across the globe is food mileage. It refers to the distance between the two countries where foods are exported and imported. The far distance can translate to an excessive amount of gas emissions emitted from vehicles required to transport goods, which leaves a carbon footprint and takes a heavy toll on the environment. For example, the use of fuel-powered ships to send exported goods to different countries over a long distance may lead to changes in water temperature, adversely affecting thousands of marine species, not to mention deteriorating ocean pollution. However, I believe that this issue can be dealt with by the enforcement of stricter marine regulations regarding qualified water transportation.
Notwithstanding the detrimental impacts on the environment aforementioned, I opine that the benefits of global food transportation can bring more substantial benefits to both citizens and governments. On the individual level, they can get access to various types of food around the world, diversifying their daily diets and providing them with high-quality nutrients. This, as a result, is likely to do good to their health. On the societal level, food exportation and importation will possibly boost the economic development of both countries and strengthen their bilateral cooperation. The livelihood of farmers in many developing nations can exemplify this case. The high sales of rice in European countries has helped with increased employment rate and stable income of rice producers in the exporting countries, namely Thailand and India.
In conclusion, despite the negative effects on the environment, I subscribe to the view that global transportation of food and ingredients can benefit both individuals and governments. International food ingredients can provide a diverse diet with essential nutrients, and consequently positively impacts people’s health, while global trade can lead to thriving economies of two countries.