A Food System - Approach to Natural Resource Use PDF

A Food System - Approach to Natural Resource Use Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Romy Chammas MS.c Summer 2024  Natural Resources and Environmental Impacts Food system activities depend...

A Food System - Approach to Natural Resource Use Natural Resources and Environmental Impact Romy Chammas MS.c Summer 2024  Natural Resources and Environmental Impacts Food system activities depend on natural resources: Land and soil Fresh water Biodiversity: terrestrial and marine Genetic resources Nutrients Fossil fuels  Natural Resources and Environmental Impacts Current Food systems play a critical role in the degradation or depletion of natural resources and provide evidence of unsustainable and/or inefficient practices. 33% of soil is moderately to highly degraded due to erosion, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinization, compaction, and chemical pollution. 29% of commercial fish populations are fished at a biologically unsustainable level and therefore overfished. At least 20% of the world’s aquifers are overexploited, including in important production areas like the Upper Ganges (India) and California (U.S.). 60% of global terrestrial biodiversity loss is related to food production. Globally, food systems account for around 24% of the global greenhouse gas emissions.  Natural Resources and Environmental Impacts In many cases and countries, progress has been made over the recent decades on various aspects of natural resource use in the food systems For example, higher crop yields (meaning more efficient use of agricultural land), increased nutrient- and water-use efficiency, improved water quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions have been achieved. In other cases, such progress has been slower, or compromises have been made. For example, the focus on higher crop yields has led to soil degradation or to water pollution by nutrients or pesticides.  Renewable Natural Resources Renewable resources: -Originate from renewable natural stocks that, after exploitation, can return to their previous stock levels by natural processes of growth or replenishment. -If used, they should have not passed a critical threshold or ‘tipping point’ from which regeneration is very slow (soil degradation) or impossible (species extinction). Important renewable natural resources for food systems are land, water, genetic resources, and biodiversity and ecosystem services. In order to guarantee a continued supply of food (either from agriculture, livestock, fisheries, or hunting), renewable natural resources should be managed sustainably.  Non-Renewable Natural Resources Non-renewable natural resources: Are exhaustible resources whose natural stocks cannot be regenerated or replenished after being used or that can only be regenerated by natural cycles that are very slow at human scales (OECD, 2002). Important non-renewable resources used in food systems are minerals (nutrients, metals) and fossil fuels. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus often become ineffective for use in food systems, because they get diluted in water.  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources Both renewable and non-renewable natural resources are of utmost significance in activities related to food production (such as agriculture and aquaculture). They are also used in all the food system activities (Table 1).  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources The relative share of use of a certain resource varies between the different food system activities. For example, land is mainly needed for agricultural activities (food production), whereas the use of fossil fuels is much more divided over the whole food system.  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources All food system activities have an impact on the environment (the use of natural resources) Paper, card, steel, plastics, and aluminium used for food packaging all have negative effects on the natural resources in the environment. Marine litter, much of which is from food packaging, is a serious threat to biodiversity. The use of fossil fuels leads to carbon dioxide emissions (air pollution, greenhouse gas effect, global warming etc…) The use of minerals typically leads to nutrient emissions to the groundwater and surface water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWEIJzrwcuc  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources Not all environmental impacts of food system activities are directly related to the main natural resources use. The use of man-made components like pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and plastics can lead to contamination and harmful effects on water and soil quality. The relations between the use of the various resources and the environmental impacts are shown in a systematic way in Figure 2.  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources The environmental impacts usually feedback on the renewable resources, which are needed for both food system and other non-food system activities. The feedbacks are sometimes very local and can act within a short time- frame. For example: Water contamination However, in other cases, the feedbacks are through global systems with a time horizon of decades. For example: Greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources The bad news is that all food systems depend on the use of natural resources, and that will almost always lead to certain environmental effects. Food production will always have a certain effect on the environment. Moreover, primary food production (such as crop production, livestock production, and aquaculture) is highly affected by unpredictable environmental factors like weather.  Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources The good news is that a more efficient or sustainable use of natural resources usually leads to a reduction in environmental impacts. For example, better targeted fertilization leads to lower resource use (minerals) and lower nutrient losses. Higher fuel efficiency along the food chain leads to lower carbon dioxide emissions.  Factors Affecting Natural Resource Use Pressure on natural resources is expected to increase steadily over the coming decades. A number of developments will have important consequences on the natural resources in food systems: 1. The expected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia, implies a higher demand for food. 2. The increase in wealth, typically leads to diets that are richer in resource- intensive products, such as meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables as well ultra- processed food and drink products. 3. Climate change, which impacts extreme weather conditions affects the natural resources needed for food production. Impacts Related to Food System Activities Satisfying future demand by increasing agricultural intensification through the use of more fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides increases production. However, it can be environmentally deleterious if not done properly. In addition to environmental concerns, intensification in this way is also increasingly expensive as energy prices rise and fresh water supplies diminish, so food affordability for many will decrease.  Environmental Impacts Related to Food System Activities Examples of how food system activities have an impact on the environment are summarized in Table 2. Loss of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity is largely driven by food system activities.  Conclusion Due to the harmful effects of most current food system activities on natural resources, changes need to be made and implemented. Gains in production will have to be made in a more environmentally-friendly way. Research has increasingly focused on the production system seeking to increase the efficiency by which inputs (especially nitrogen and water) are used, and reducing negative externalities such as soil degradation, air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions.