The United Kingdom's chocolate industry produces 2.1 million tons of greenhouse gases a year. “This is equivalent to the annual emissions of the whole population of a city as large as Belfast," a University of Manchester news release explains.
     They also found that it takes about 1,000 liters of water (about 264 gallons) to produce just one chocolate bar.
     The study is meant to raise awareness, not to dissuade anyone from eating chocolate, the university's news release said.
     So go ahead. Eat that chocolate egg. Worry about the environment tomorrow.
     The study is: "Environmental impacts of chocolate production and consumption in the U.K.", by Antonios Konstantas et al, published in Science Direct.

EASTER SPENDING: That bad news about chocolate isn't deterring Easter spending. Americans are expected to shell out $18.2 billion on Easter this year, the second-highest level on record, according to the National Retail Federation.
    The record was set last year, when Americans spent $18.4 billion on the holiday. The retail federation expects 81 percent of Americans to celebrate at a price tag of $150 per person on average. In all, Americans will shell out $5.7 billion on food purchases, $3.2 billion on clothing, $2.9 billion on gifts, $2.6 billion on candy, $1.3 billion on flowers, $1.1 billion on decorations and $780 million on greeting cards.
    But Easter is still about family: 60 percent will visit family and friends, 58 percent will cook a holiday meal, 51 percent will go to church and 17 percent will go to a restaurant.

      Related:

     Mardi Gras: A history beyond New Orleans

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