Running head: VARYING IMPLICATIONS OF FOOD WASTE 1

Transcription

1 Running head: VARYING IMPLICATIONS OF FOOD WASTE 1 Varying Implications of Food Waste and How to Prevent Damage Paget Houston

2 2 Abstract This research paper explores the environmental implications associated with consumer-oriented food waste present within current society. In addition to the exploration of challenges which correlate to the aforementioned branch of food wastage, manners in which the population can conduct itself in attempt to diminish the amount of food disposed of prior to complete consumption is also discussed. The consumer base of agriculture is responsible for a significant portion of the damages which occur for reasoning such as the lack of awareness in terms of the emission of greenhouse gases, ill regard for those whom produce food sources, and the abuse of resources in terms of disposing food sources.

3 3 Imagine a world in which a banana could hit the floor, yet the person who dropped it would simply retrieve it, and consume it anyway, despite the newly developed bruises. Although society has developed immensely throughout generations, an aspect which has not changed is the value of the Five Second Rule. The universal rule discusses the concept that one may only consume something that has touched the floor if, and only if, it was in the area of contamination for less than five seconds. Existing in unison with such a concept leads to one question: what extent of food sources are thrown away simply because they remained on the ground for six seconds? As a society, we have created the mentality that if an apple is bruised, dispose of it and pick another, regardless of the effect it has upon the environment. The environment, in terms of consumer food waste, is subjected to harm due to the labour required to produce food sources, the production of greenhouse gases, and the exceedingly large amount of resources utilized. Human survival depends upon those who earn a living through manual labour, without the individuals whom dedicate their lives to the harvesting of food, we would not survive. The vast majority of the population fails to think twice about disposing of an entire plate of food, for reasoning as simple as their lack of enthusiasm toward leftovers. These people do not consider, for one minute, the amount of effort and labour required in the process of those vegetables leaving the soil, and landing on their plate. They do not consider the farmers who planted the seeds, the employees who faced harsh conditions during harvest season, the transporters, the buyers, or above all, the land which was utilized to house the food source. Consumers are responsible for roughly fifty percent of food waste, Dana states that the remaining percentage occurs during the production, yielding, and storage phases. Farmers produce amounts of food substantial enough to feed families ranging from those within their

4 4 communities, and those across their country. The ironic and tragic component of their lives is, following their contribution, farmers seldom have enough wealth or food remaining to feed themselves. Those working within the agricultural sector of the economy work roughly forty-two hours within a week, earning as little as seven dollars per hour worked. According to the National Farm Worker Ministry, Annually, the average income of crop workers is between $10,000 to $12,499 for individuals and $15,000 to $17,499 for a family while the United States federal poverty line is $10,830 for those living as an individual, and $22,050 for those with a family of four. Consider the stress placed upon farm employees on a global scale, the financial burden they subject themselves to for the sake of feeding those around them, the selflessness exhibited in doing so. All of this for what? A consumer to throw away the product of their agony and hardship. Producing food resources is not something to be taken for granted, nor is the declining state of the environment due to lack of consideration. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations stated that every year, consumers in rich countries waste almost as much food (222 million tonnes) as the entire net food production of sub-saharan Africa (230 million tonnes). An overabundance of food disposed of prior to complete consumption wreaks havoc upon the environmental cycles which surround it, as the decomposition of edible material disrupts an ecosystem. Decomposing food produces biogas, a substance composed of sixty to eighty percent methane, created by anaerobic digestion. Within areas of high methane content, the greenhouse gas poses a significant threat toward humanity as a whole, for the emissions absorb infrared radiation, and in turn, cause Earth s atmospheric temperature to rise. The carbon footprint of food wastage is 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, making it the third top emitter, following only China and

5 5 the United States. The severity of the carbon footprints correlating with food waste varies in regard to different areas of the world. For example, the amount of food wasted within countries such as Africa is far less substantial than that wasted in a country such as America. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations states that On a global average, per capita food wastage footprint on climate in high income countries is more than double that of low income countries, due to wasteful food distribution and consumption patterns in high income countries. Societal members residing within a more developed country are raised with different perspectives upon life than those raised within least developed countries. This is due to factors such as the availability of resources required to produce food, and the access to adequate means of survival. The agricultural sector of the economy accounts for roughly seventy percent of Earth s water usage. Consequently, wasting the agriculture produced correlates with the waste of both fresh and ground water. To provide a rough visual of the amount of water at hand, It is said that a volume of water roughly three times the volume of Lake Geneva is used just to produce food that is not eaten (Dana). The common misconception with the issue of food waste is that only plants may be considered a wasted food source. This mentality, however, could not be further from accurate. Consider an animal such as a beef cow, Dr. Rick Rasby found that the average beef cow s Daily water intake may vary from 3 to 30 gallons per day depending on age, body size (weight), stage of production, and the environment (mainly air temperature). Due to this, disposing of one kilogram of beef contributes 50,000 liters to the amount of wasted water. Wasting lactose products such as milk are no different, following statistical analysis, it was discovered that almost 1000 liters of water is wasted simply by throwing a singular glass of milk

6 6 away. If the wasted food, in its entirety, of a country such as Canada was grown within one region, it would (...) cover roughly 80 million acres, over three-quarters of the state of California. Growing food on this wasteful farm would consume all the water used in California, Texas, and Ohio combined (James). Children in impoverished countries may never see an amount of water of this magnitude throughout their entire lives. All the while, economically fortunate civilians disregard the significance of water utilized in the production of food as if it were meaningless. The stewardship of the environment is a societal obligation, there are no excuses. As well as the environmental imperative to diminish the effects of food waste, there is also the moral code of conduct, how can one justify wasting food resources whilst so many families starve in silence? Through consumer food wastage, the environment and humanity are subjected to harm for reasoning such as the labour required to produce food sources, the production of greenhouse gases, and the exceedingly large amount of resources utilized. Reducing the extent to which food is wasted will not be a change that occurs overnight, however, that does not mean a stand cannot be taken today. It is crucial that society realizes food that appears unappetizing due to bruises or other reasons, may remain suited for consumption. In cases where food is not ideal for human consumption, it can be provided to certain livestock, such as chickens. Therefore, allowing the cycle of nutrition to continue, without subjecting yourself to harm. There is no excuse for wasting food, if nothing can consume it, recycle it in an alternative manner, utilize it as a fertilizer. There is only one Mother Earth, why must we constantly abuse it?

7 7 References Dana. (2015, May 11). The Environmental Impact of Food Waste. Retrieved March 30, 2017, from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Food Wastage Footprint & Climate Change. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from te_change.pdf. Key Facts on Food Loss and Waste You Should Know! (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2017, from National Farm Worker Ministry. Low Wages. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from Rasby, Dr. R. (n.d.). How Much Water do Cows Drink. Retrieved March 30, 2017, from