Sustainability - Food Flashcards
food miles
the distance food travels from the time of its production until it reaches the consumer.
carbon footprint
the mass of carbon dioxide emitted by any specific activity.
carbon neutral
no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
carbon offsetting
compensating for emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere with an equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions elsewhere.
impacts of increasing global population on food supplies
social, economic and environmental
social:
- greater competition for food in ELDCs results in conflict and uncertainty over food security
economic:
- More export potential which can improve economy.
- Money can then be invested in improving health care and education.
- Greater job potential and standard of living for population.
environmental:
- Soil becomes exhausted and can’t recover.
- Soil becomes compacted and more easily eroded by the wind.
- Greater demand for fertiliser application.
- Increased carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions due to transportation of goods
food security
definition
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
food security
why it is becoming increasingly difficult
- diet - as countries develop they move from traditional food to more refined and processed food which requires more resources
- energy - increasing energy is required for farm machinery and transportation
- water - global stresses on available water for human usage
- climate change - disruptive weather events lower yields and increase disease in livestock
- labour - urbanisation results in low rural population able to produce food
intensive farming
- using methods of farming; such as crop monocultures, battery farming, increased use of agrochemicals; to increase crop yeild
- although the yield is high, it is not sustainable practice
GM crops
sustainable farming practice
- these are crops which have had thier genome altered to obtain a certain charateristic such as drought resistance, natural pesticide, or contain certain vitimins and nutrients
- this helps to increase crop yield
- it can be controversial as we dont know the risks to human health in addition to the potential of cross pollination creating super weeds
diversification
sustainable farming practice
farmers making money from non-farming activities is known as diversification
methods of diversification include:
- growing energy crops
- planting native woodland
- encouraging wildflower meadows
- restoring old buildings for holiday homes
organic farming
what is it?
the production of crops without using agrochemicals
organic farming
methods
- polyculture
- crop rotation
- use of natural manure
- biological pest control
organic farming
advantages
- lower growing cost
- enhances soil nourishment
- resistance to disease and pests
- increases drought tolerance
- environmentally friendly
organic farming
disadvantages
- lower productivity
- requires skill
- time consuming
- affected by climate change
trawling
intensive fishing methods
method of fishing that involves pulling a fishing net through the water behind one or more boats. Netting bags are towed through the water to catch different species of fish.
