Building sustainable city food systems in the Arctic

OPINION: Community gardens could revolutionize the way urban areas in the Arctic get food — reducing both their carbon footprint and their dependence on imported food.

Imagine Iceland engaging in an experimental project that could allow citizens to come together and grow fruits and vegetables — apples, bananas, tomatoes and lettuce — in a public garden. Now, imagine doing that with zero carbon emissions. This small Arctic nation has all the elements to make it possible. With abundant renewable energy and a largely urban population, Iceland could create community gardens that would revolutionize its city food systems and reduce dependence on produce imports from as far away as Chile.