Body 1: Environmental

Question 1

Sentence 1 - why negative

Answer 1

Wine production has had a generally negative global environmental impact, due to the use of monoculture, pesticides, fertilisers, irrigation, pollution and land degradation and clearing.

Question 2

2. Monoculture

Answer 2

Monoculture refers to the practice of continually growing one crop in a certain area, causing decrease in soil fertility due to reduction in particular nutrients available. This practice is often used in viticulture, particularly in old world countries such as France, as well as land clearing to allow space for the grapes to grow, resulting in land degradation

Question 3

3. fertilisers pesticides and irrigation

Answer 3

The primary species of vine used in wine production is Vitis vinifera because of its high sugar content, and due to this species not being native to all wine making areas, it necessitates the use of fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation. The use of techniques that maximise grape production resulting in high profits for farmers negatively impact the world environmentally, contributing to degradation of the natural environment. In France, vineyards cover 3% of the country’s agricultural land but are responsible for 20% of pesticide use.

Question 4

4. Positive impacts

Answer 4

Although having a majority of negative environmental impacts, many producers of wine and managers of vineyards attempt to lower environmental impact through the use of sustainable and organic farming techniques.

Question 5

5. Australia WSSSP

Answer 5

Australia seeks to use sustainable wine production practices, the Wine Sector Sustainability Strategic Priorities being valuing our water, adapting to a changing climate, zero waste, landcare and biodiversity and clean environment.

Question 6

6. Organic practices

Answer 6

Australia seeks to use sustainable wine production practices, the Wine Sector Sustainability Strategic Priorities being valuing our water, adapting to a changing climate, zero waste, landcare and biodiversity and clean environment.

Question 7

7. Link

Answer 7

Through sustainable farming, environmental impacts from viticultural practices can be reduced leading to better conservation and protection of the natural environment.