CLIMATE RESILIENCE
ELECTRIFICATION: THE CHERRY ON TOP
CENTRAL OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND
Supporting and learning from businesses that are addressing the climate emergency is a critical part of being a responsible traveler. Enjoying cherries from Forest Lodge Orchard in New Zealand lets you support an innovator that is electrifying agriculture to weed out emissions.
What's
changing
When thinking about the environmental impact of travel, transportation might be the first thing that comes to mind, but greenhouse gas emissions associated with food and beverages can also be a major contributor to a traveler's footprint. Even farm-to-table foods often rely on significant fossil fuels, though there are solutions to decarbonize agricultural activities.
What's already
possible
Not far from Queenstown in the Central Otago region of New Zealand, a 6-hectare (15-acre) cherry orchard called Forest Lodge Orchard has electrified operations to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas footprint. It has eliminated the need for fossil fuels to run the tractor, vehicles, chainsaws, irrigation and frost-fighting system.
Seizing
the opportunity
The orchard consumes about 100 megawatt-hours of power per year, primarily from renewable sources, to grow and harvest cherries from 9,300 trees. After four years working to free the farm of fossil fuels, it is home to New Zealand’s first electric frost-fighting fans, electric vehicles, electric tools and more. About 40% of the orchard’s power is drawn from a 45-kilowatt solar array. The remainder is taken from New Zealand's highly renewable energy grid. Owner Mike Casey estimates that configuring the farm to run from electricity costs about 600,000 New Zealand dollars more than a diesel-powered setup.
Standout
tactic
One of the most significant pieces of machinery Forest Lodge electrified was its tractor. The farm operates New Zealand's first electric tractor, showcasing the capabilities of this technology and encouraging other farmers to make the switch.
How
it helps
By eliminating fossil fuels, the orchard saves more than NZ$50,000 per year in operating costs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Casey is eager to help others cut their fossil fuel consumption and speaks at events and in the media about how New Zealanders can electrify their homes and businesses.
Diving
deeper
How can farmers and other agricultural operations reduce their emissions by addressing pollution sources throughout the supply chain?
Increasing
impact
The orchard could offer tours for farmers and farm-to-table producers to see and learn more about electrification, how it helps the environment and saves money.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
