Roses have become a commodifiable symbol of love but at a shocking cost to the planet that will take your breath away. 

In the United States, 90% of the roses available at large retailers are imported from South America.  This massive migration of flowers is a huge source of CO2 emissions from hundreds of cargo flights, refrigerated transportation, and warehousing all wrapped up in plastic packaging. 

Statistics from the International Council on Clean Transportation estimates that in the 3 weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day,  4 billion flowers imported from Colombia release 360,000 metric tons of CO2.  That number is just from the flight into Miami and does not account for the additional emissions from transport to processing plants and further onwards to the retailers for sale. Refrigerated trucks require 25% more fuel to run on average and are often run on diesel engines which emit more air pollution. 

Perhaps it is time to stop focusing on smelling the roses and look to other local alternatives. 

Eco-Friendly Gift Idea: Source locally grown fresh or dried flowers, potted plants, or seeds! Let your love bloom without the added emissions from faraway provisions.