The Real Price of Flowers; June 2009; Scientific American Earth 3.0; by Carolyn Whelan; 2 Page(s)

"Roses are red..." They are also fragile and almost always flown to the U.S. from warmer climes in South America. In Europe, roses are most often imported from Africa. On either continent the flowers are hauled in temperature-controlled trucks and locked up overnight in cold boxes before their final journey to the local florist. According to Flowerpetal.com, which tries to limit the environmental impact of floral purchases, supplying the 100 million roses ordered for a typical Valentine's Day produces 9,900 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. So what's a lovesick but "green" beau to do?

What's a lovesick but "green" beau to do? First, dont assume that imported roses are more environmentally hostile than domestic ones. A 2007 study from Cranfield University in England found that raising 12,000 Kenyan roses resulted in 13,200 pounds of CO2; the equivalent number grown in a Dutch hothouse accounted for 77,160 pounds. (Both examples included energy used in production and delivery to European airports by airplane or truck.) Roses from the Netherlands required artificial light, heat and cooling over the eight- to 12-week growing cycle, whereas Africa's strong sun provided much of what was needed.