Questions and Answers
What percentage of commercial fish populations are fished at a biologically unsustainable level, indicating overfishing?
What is the primary cause of the degradation of at least 33% of soil worldwide?
Which of the following is NOT a natural resource that food systems depend on?
What percentage of global terrestrial biodiversity loss is attributed to food production?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to food systems?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is an example of progress made in natural resource use within food systems?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential negative consequence of focusing solely on increasing crop yields?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major factor contributing to overexploitation of aquifers, leading to depletion?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant environmental impact of using fossil fuels in the food system?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these materials used for food packaging has a negative impact on the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary concern related to the use of minerals in the food system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a feedback loop between environmental impacts and renewable resources?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a man-made component that can negatively impact the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key takeaway from the text about the relationship between food systems and the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a global environmental impact with a long-term time horizon?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary message conveyed by the text regarding food systems and the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to increased pressure on natural resources in food systems?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential environmental consequence of agricultural intensification?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of a sustainable practice that can reduce environmental impacts in food production?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major environmental concern associated with food system activities?
Signup and view all the answers
How does climate change impact natural resources needed for food production?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason for increased demand for food in the coming decades?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT an example of a resource-intensive product that is often associated with wealthier diets?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential consequence of increasing food affordability due to rising energy prices and declining water resources?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic of renewable natural resources?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following examples represents a non-renewable natural resource?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when renewable resources exceed their critical threshold?
Signup and view all the answers
Which resource is predominantly used in agricultural activities?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus become ineffective in food systems?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about renewable and non-renewable natural resources is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the implication of using non-renewable resources in food systems?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the use of fossil fuels differ across food system activities?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Natural Resources and Environmental Impact
- Food systems rely on several natural resources including land, soil, fresh water, biodiversity, genetic resources, nutrients, and fossil fuels.
- Approximately 33% of soil is moderately to highly degraded due to factors like erosion, nutrient depletion, and chemical pollution.
- About 29% of commercial fish populations are overfished, at biologically unsustainable levels.
- At least 20% of the world’s aquifers, especially in high-production areas like the Upper Ganges and California, are overexploited.
- Food production contributes to 60% of global terrestrial biodiversity loss and is responsible for around 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Progress and Challenges in Resource Use
- Improvements in food systems noted include higher crop yields, better nutrient and water use efficiency, enhanced water quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Focus on increased crop yields has sometimes resulted in soil degradation and water pollution from excessive nutrients and pesticides.
Renewable Natural Resources
- Renewable resources regenerate after exploitation, provided they haven't crossed a critical threshold (tipping point) that hinders recovery, such as soil degradation.
- Key renewable resources for food systems include land, water, genetic resources, and biodiversity.
- Sustainable management of renewable resources is essential for ongoing food supply from agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and hunting.
Non-Renewable Natural Resources
- Non-renewable resources are exhaustible and cannot be replenished at human timescales, including minerals and fossil fuels.
- Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are often rendered ineffective for agriculture due to dilution in water.
Environmental Impacts of Food Systems
- All food system activities impact the environment through natural resource use.
- Packaging materials (paper, plastics, metals) contribute to marine litter, which threatens biodiversity.
- Fossil fuel use in food systems is linked to carbon dioxide emissions and contributes to air pollution and global warming.
- Man-made components (pesticides, antibiotics, hormones) can contaminate water and soil quality.
Feedback Loops and Environmental Effects
- Environmental impacts often feedback on renewable resources, affecting both food-related and non-food-related activities.
- Local impacts, like water contamination, occur in short time frames while climate change effects, due to greenhouse gas emissions, take decades to evolve.
Future Pressures on Natural Resources
- Anticipated population growth, particularly in Africa and Asia, will heighten food demand.
- Increased wealth leads to diets that are richer in resource-intensive foods, further stressing natural resources.
- Climate change is predicted to exacerbate extreme weather conditions, influencing natural resource availability for food production.
Environmental and Economic Considerations
- Intensifying agriculture through more fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides may boost production but can result in significant environmental damage if not managed properly.
- Rising energy prices and diminishing fresh water supplies could raise food production costs and decrease food affordability for many individuals.
- Biodiversity loss, both terrestrial and marine, is significantly driven by food system activities.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the environmental impact of food systems on natural resources such as land, water, biodiversity, and fossil fuels. It explores the dependence of food systems on these resources and their effects on the environment.