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A lifecycle analysis of the environmental impacts of the food you eat shows that transportation contributes relatively little to food’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

While food does travel an average of around 1,000 miles from the farm to the store, this transportation accounts for only 4 percent of greenhouse gases on average. Most are released during the production phase.

While travel doesn’t have a big impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the type of food eaten does. Beef and milk release the most greenhouse gases (think methane). So not only is red meat bad for your heart, it also is bad for the environment. It releases around 150 percent more greenhouse gases than chicken or fish.

New Zealand taxes cows’ gas.

Travel makes up around 1 percent of the total greenhouse gases of red meat, and 11 percent of fruits and vegetables. So if you’re already vegan, buying locally is the next step.

If you’re an omnivore, buying locally isn’t the most effective way to save the environment. Eating less meat - red meat, in particular - is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint.