Impact of Unsustainable Food

The Effects of Unsustainable Food

Unsustainable farming techniques and the food that comes from them have harmful effects on the environment and human health. Pesticides that are used to kill bugs often unintentionally kill birds in the ecosystem around it, and chemical fertilizers damage the soil microbiome as well as contaminate nearby groundwater. Non-local foods contribute to climate change- around 3bn tons of carbon dioxide are emitted from food transport each year- similar to how methane is constantly released into the air from food waste decomposing in landfills. Underpaid farmers are left with little to no money for healthcare, food, or school costs. Ultra-processed foods have a major effect on human health, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. According to the American Medical Association, a large study conducted over 19 years showed that recurring consumers of ultra-processed foods had a 31% higher mortality rate than infrequent consumers.

Sustainable Farming Techniques

Farmers have developed many ways to combat unsustainable food practices.

Regenerative Agriculture

Healthy soil is the reason that all crops thrive. Regenerative agriculture is a farming method based on the health of the soil and minimizing soil disturbance. Such ways to achieve this are by not using chemicals in the soil, using alternative tilling methods, and rotating crops seasonally. These changes in farming have been proven to support and stabilize the microbiome in the soil. With healthy soil, plants can produce higher yields for more seasons compared to a typical crop, and the soil traps carbon from the atmosphere.

No Waste Farming

No-waste farming is a closed circuit of farming, where everything used during the course of farming is reused to help the growing process. Farms participating in this often use a hydroponics system, where re-filtered water from showers and rain is used for the fish, and the fish waste provides nutrients for plants to grow. Another aspect of no-waste farming is compost. Rotting and unusable foods are put in a compost bin to be broken down into natural fertilizer for crops to thrive on.

Small and Local Farming

Small and local farms are important because they provide special care and convenience compared to big food companies. Local farms cut down on food miles, the distance food takes to get from a farm to your plate. This can cut food-based carbon emissions by up to 20%. In addition, buying local foods at farmers' markets allows you to get to know the farmer better, adding a layer of transparency. Small farms pay closer attention to their crops and animals, so their animals are raised humanely and pesticides and fertilizers are less likely to be used.

Organic Farming

Farms that don't use pesticides or chemical fertilizers are considered organic farms. The environment benefits from organic farming because avoiding chemicals embraces the soils natural health, allowing it to take in more carbon as well as produce higher yields. Refraining from pesticides supports the natural ecosystem and doesn't kill the birds and nearby wildlife. Farmers are also benefitted in this system. Studies show that organic farmers can make around 22%-35% more than industrial farmers.

Non-profit Organizations

There are hundreds of not-for-profit organizations around America that support companies that aim to be sustainable. These groups create very high standards for their members to follow to help create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability Helping the Future

It is no surprise now that the way we eat has an impact on the world. Every small difference that a farm makes, like conserving water, reducing pesticide and chemical fertilizer use, and using regenerative agriculture techniques can all benefit the world long-term. In my interview with Dan Goddard, he mentioned "The way we grow our food has the most important impact on the state of the natural world. A world filled with regenerative agriculture farms would look completely different than a world with mono-cultured corn". With a growing movement for sustainable farming, plant biodiversity, clean water, and workers being paid fair living wages will soon follow.

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