Food & the Environment (AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition)

Environmental issues associated with food

• There are many environmental impacts associated with the different types of food and food production techniques

• Understanding these aspects can help consumers make more informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system

Seasonal Foods

• Consuming seasonal foods reduces the need for energy-intensive greenhouse farming and long-distance transportation, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions

• There are several environmental benefits of seasonal food production, such as:

  • promoting biodiversity

  • supporting local ecosystems

  • reducing the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers

Sustainability in Food Production

• Sustainable practices are now implemented by many farmers to minimise the environmental impact of farming methods and to maintain or even improve the environment

  • This includes ensuring appropriate animal welfare standards

• Fish farming (aquaculture) is a method used to protect wild fish populations

  • There are many environmental benefits of fish farming, including that it can reduce overfishing and provide a consistent food supply

  • However, the farms can lead to water pollution, spread of diseases to wild fish populations, and habitat destruction

Vera Kratochvil, via publicdomainpictures.net

Transportation

• Food miles refers to the distance food travels from production to consumer, and the significant contributions that makes to carbon emissions

• Favouring locally produced foods reduces transportation emissions and energy consumption

  • Supporting local food providers also benefits local economies

  • Reducing transport also reduces dependence on fossil fuels

Organic Foods

• Any food claiming to be organically produced must meet a strict set of criteria including:

  • no genetically modified crops or ingredients

  • free-range animal rearing

  • organic diets for animals raised for organic meat or produce

  • no artificial colours or sweeteners

• Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers

  • This helps to reduce soil and water pollution

• It is also common for organic farms to incorporate crop rotation and composting

  • This promotes natural recycling of nutrients which contribute towards soil health and biodiversity

• Organic yields can, however, be lower than conventional farming, requiring more land to produce the same amount of food

Locally Produced Food

• Buying locally produced food has a positive impact on the environment because there is less requirement for transportation, therefore a reduction in emissions and fossil fuel use

• Local does not always mean sustainable and so the environmental impact may not always be smaller

Food Waste

• Food waste occurs on many different levels between production and consumption

  • In the home: over-purchasing, improper storage, and misunderstanding expiration dates lead to significant waste

  • In food production: inefficiencies in harvesting, processing, and transportation contribute to food loss

  • Retailers: cosmetic standards and overstocking cause waste

• Wasted food also contributes to methane emissions from landfills

• Consumers with environmental awareness may try to plan future meals to take advantage of leftovers or compost the leftovers to make useful compost for gardening

Packaging

• Food packaging preserves food to make it last longer but there are big environmental impacts

  • Plastic packaging, in particular is non-biodegradable, contributes to ocean pollution and microplastics

  • Some products are packed in excessive amounts of packaging which increases waste and resource use

• There are more environmentally friendly options

  • For example, the use of biodegradable, recyclable materials, and minimalistic packaging

  • Encouraging consumers to use reusable bags and containers

    • There are increasingly more packaging-free food retailers

Carbon Footprint

• The definition of carbon footprint is:

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event, or product

• Livestock farming (especially cattle) has a high carbon footprint due to methane emissions

  • Crop farming can also contribute significantly due to the use of fertilisers and machinery

• The carbon footprint can be reduced through various methods, including:

  • Reducing meat and dairy consumption, and increasing plant-based foods in our diets

  • Sustainable farming techniques such as agroforestry, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture

  • Transitioning to renewable energy sources for food production and processing