WEEK 9: FOOD AND LABOUR, GLOBALIZATION AND TRADE Flashcards
1
Q
The food system and emissions?
A
- contribute 21-37% of global greenhouse gases
- industrialized farming moves carbon from soil to the atmosphere
- 2nd biggest source in the world
2
Q
Impact on environment: before food production
A
- land prep/clearing lands
- destruct natural habitat
- wildlife species populations decline
- loss of biodiversity
3
Q
Impact on environment: during food production
A
- livestock contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions
- methane = cows
- nitrous oxide = fertilizer
- fossil fuel = equipment
- meat production
4
Q
Impact on environment: after food production
A
- lands left barren after harvest
- monoculture = growing a single crop
- transportation of farm produce
5
Q
Environmental impact of food waste
A
- food waste is wasted along supply chain from farm to supermarket
- 1.3 billion tons of food produced globally is wasted per year
- Canadians waste $31b of food each year
- food waste produces 3.3b tons of CO2
6
Q
Strategies to reduce agricultural emissions
A
- sustainable and regenerative practices
- sustainable soil management and less fertilizer
- shift away from meat consumption (reduce methane but increase free land)
- reduce food waste
7
Q
Critics of the ideal diet (less meat and sugar consumption)
A
- unrealistic
- legumes and grains require deforestation
- culturally inappropriate
- could result in low intakes of some nutrients
- some people cannot be vegan/vegetarian for health reasons
- animal agriculture industry
8
Q
Key parts of land
A
- rely on it for food, water, health, well-being
- under growing human pressure
- climate change adding to pressures
- dietary choices can reduce pressure on land and decrease emissions
9
Q
What is the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
A
- need to consider other environmental factors than greenhouse gases
- GHG emissions in Canadian agriculture are declining
- Canadian beef production are less emission intensive
10
Q
What can we do differently?
A
- ways to raise animals and meat and different ecosystems are better suited than others
- simplistic message is dangerous
- problem is not meat but meat production
11
Q
Good beef vs bad beef
A
- most beef produced in US is an environmental disaster
- animals cramped
- antibiotics and growth hormones
- manure runoff, water and air pollution, noxious odours
- areas produce corn to feed animals
12
Q
Grass-fed beef
A
- 1-3% of US beef production
- can be better
- enhance biodiversity
- avoid pollution
- no antibiotics
- better for animal welfare
- takes more land
- grass fed systems cannot produce enough to meet US demand
13
Q
What are the 3 pathways for the future of protein?
A
- remodernization: increased efficiencies to produce cheap and abundant protein
- replacement: protein substitutes
- restoration = promote ecological and social health by focusing on regenerative agriculture
14
Q
What’s an eater to do?
A
- no single answer
- “active hope”: assess and decide what is right for you and be willing to change your decision
