Ending the importation of fresh food from Africa in the name of fighting climate change could harm communities that rely on this trade, according to Ghana's High Commissioner to Britain. The concept of food miles, which measures the distance food travels from producer to consumer, is a controversial issue as environmentalists push for reductions in carbon emissions. While acknowledging the desire to make a positive impact, Annan Cato pointed out that airfreighted food accounts for less than 0.1 percent of Britain's carbon emissions. He questioned the moral implications of cutting off economic opportunities for African farmers by refusing to purchase their goods, emphasizing the importance of global justice in the discussion of climate change. Environmentalists suggest increasing local food production and consumption to eliminate airfreighted imports of fruits and vegetables from various countries. However, development experts point out that many of these imports come from impoverished regions in Africa, where entire communities rely on the income generated. Cato believes that British consumers can reduce their carbon footprint in other ways without negatively impacting the livelihoods of African farmers. Scientists predict a rise in global temperatures due to carbon emissions, leading to severe consequences such as floods, famines, and extreme weather events that will endanger millions of lives. Despite Africa having low per capita carbon emissions, it is expected to face the worst impacts of climate change. Cato emphasized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions fairly and scientifically, as making cuts that disproportionately affect the world's poorest is not only unjust but also hinders the international consensus necessary for a global climate change deal. UN environment ministers are set to meet in Bali next month to discuss urgent talks on a successor to the expiring Kyoto Protocol, with Europe aiming for a deal by the end of 2009. However, the United States and China, the world's biggest polluters, are still hesitant to take action despite the pressing need for adaptation to climate change. Cato stressed the importance of advancing proposals to address this crisis effectively in the post-Kyoto agreement. "This is a matter that pertains to both global justice and the survival of humanity," he stated, emphasizing that while the damage has been caused by some of the most powerful countries in the world, it is the most vulnerable countries that are bearing the brunt of the consequences.