scholarly journals Application of the Dietary Environmental Index to Model More Sustainable Versions of Food Intake Patterns Reported in the 2007–2008 NHANES (OR20-01-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naglaa El-Abbadi ◽  
Timothy Griffin ◽  
Christian Peters ◽  
Miriam Nelson ◽  
Paul Jacques
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food Products ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Environmental Harm ◽  
Environmental Index ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
Food Intake Patterns

Abstract Objectives Constructing nutritionally replete as well as environmentally benign dietary patterns is at the core of diet sustainability efforts, yet these must also consider factors of personal preference and accessibility to be widely acceptable. This study aimed to model how observed food selection may be modified to optimize nutritional quality while mitigating environmental harm, using comparable food substitutions. Methods Day 1 dietary intake reported by adult participants in the 2007–2008 NHANES was scored using the Dietary Environmental Index (DEX), a tool to assess life cycle environmental impacts standardized by diet quality, calculated as the ratio of a Nutrient Density Score (NDS) to Environmental Impact Score (EIS) for 7500 food products consumed in the United States. Low-scoring food products, based on their higher environmental impact and lower nutrient density, were directly substituted by a high-DEX alternative food from within the same What We Eat In America food category. Resultant changes to overall food group and nutrient levels were assessed. Results Food group composition of the DEX-modeled daily food intake patterns shifted towards lower quantities of red meat, and higher quantities of poultry, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. Levels of beneficial nutrients to encourage, such as fiber and select vitamins and minerals, increased by 15–81% in the DEX-models, while protein levels stayed about the same. Nutrients to limit, including saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar, decreased by 12–16%. Individual direct environmental impacts related to climate change, land use, water depletion, and marine eutrophication improved by 11–17% in the DEX-models. Conclusions Findings demonstrate the potential nutritional as well as environmental benefits of relatively simple food substitutions within an existing diet pattern, in a manner aimed to be palatable to the individual. Funding Sources The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service.

scholarly journals Hydraulic Fracturing Water Use Is Tied to Environmental Impact

Eos ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily Strelich
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Water Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Drilling Operations

New map identifies varying water usage in hydraulic drilling operations across the United States and what this means for potential environmental impacts.

Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Dairy Products: A Case Study in Southeast Idaho, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brekke Van Slyke ◽  
Amin Mirkouei ◽  
Michael McKellar
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Optimum Operating ◽  
Dairy Processing

Abstract Idaho was the 3rd largest milk producer in the United States in 2019, and the dairy industry remains one of the most considerable sections of the state’s economy. The dairy industry itself has many effects on the environment, and there are many opportunities within this industry to improve its environmental impacts. This paper explores a dairy processing facility (under current operating norms and an improved set of operating conditions) to assess techno-economic aspects, determine the gate-to-gate environmental impacts, and identify critical process parameters. In this study, the environmental impact was determined using the life cycle assessment method to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in kg CO2 equivalents per kg of packaged milk. The economic assessment was performed, using a life cycle costing analysis method for estimating the net present value, payback period, and total profit of the various scenarios, as well as determining the major cost drivers to the process. The results show that the total environmental impact of 1 kg of packaged milk was between 0.0102 to 0.0125 kg CO2 equivalents. It was also determined that the proposed adjustments to the operating conditions could reduce the heating costs by 84% and the overall annual costs by 16.3%. This study can help provide justification for further research when determining the optimum operating conditions and energy sources for dairy processing equipment and facilities. This includes investigating both real-world and theoretical models when making plans for improving dairy processes.

Environmental assessment for wastewater reclamation and reuse projects

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 473-486
Author(s):  
Nick Kontos ◽  
Takashi Asano
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Wastewater Reclamation ◽  
National Environmental Policy Act ◽  
Wastewater Reclamation And Reuse ◽  
National Environmental ◽  
Specific Project

The purpose of an environmental review and assessment is to incorporate environmental considerations into the planning process. Prior to the selection of a specific project alternative, a thorough and unbiased analysis of the environmental impacts of every reasonable project alternative should be made. It is intended that environmental concerns be considered on an equal basis with engineering feasibility, economics, and social considerations in wastewater reclamation and reuse. This paper discusses the “procedural” and “substantive” provisions of environmental law in the United States; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and more specifically the law in California; California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The procedural aspects require the preparation of an environmental document such as an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental impact report (EIR) and the substantive provisions require mitigation of harmful environmental impacts. Suggested outlines of the content of an EIS and an EIR are provided. Specific impacts associated with wastewater reclamation projects such as groundwater impacts and growth inducing impacts are discussed. This paper is intended to be a useful tool for the planning of any wastewater reclamation and reuse project. Two examples are given for this purpose.

scholarly journals Familiarity trumps playfulness: Exploring children’s preferences for playful design of vegetables

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-64
Author(s):  
SunMin May Hwang ◽  
Sarah Alfalah ◽  
Jieun Misa Kwon ◽  
Barry Kudrowitz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vegetable Food ◽  
Vegetable Products ◽  
Final Study ◽  
Food And Drink

Vegetable-based food and drink products are becoming more popular in the United States with increased awareness of health benefits as well as their positive environmental impact. Yet, there is a lack of attention in marketing these healthy vegetable food products to children, particularly in comparison to less-nutritious food products that are effectively utilizing child-oriented design in the marketplace. This article includes four exploratory studies. The first three studies are part of a co-design process involving children and chefs to create playful vegetable products that appeal to children. These studies result in a variety of playful vegetables concepts which are then evaluated in different methods by children. The preliminary results of these studies indicate that children do not prefer playful versions of vegetables significantly more than familiar versions. The final study presented in this article specifically examines the role of familiarity and colour on a child’s preference towards select vegetable products. Contrary to expectations, a trend uncovered in all four studies demonstrate children’s inclination towards the more familiar versions of a vegetable, illustrating a need for more appropriate design interventions to effectively bring about positive changes in children’s food choices.

Analyzing Tradeoffs in Electricity Choices Using the Texas Interactive Power Simulator (TIPS)

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa C. Lott ◽  
Carey W. King ◽  
Michael E. Webber
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Electricity Markets ◽  
The United States ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Generation Technology

The Texas Interactive Power Simulator (TIPS) is an interactive analytical tool developed at the University of Texas at Austin for quantitatively comparing the first-order economic and environmental tradeoffs of different electricity production methods in Texas. The tool is designed for analysis of different power choices and is presented in an online format for use by students, the general public, and government decision-makers. The core electricity industry data are Texas-specific, but the flexibility of the framework, when combined with user supplied content, extends its applicability to the United States and world electricity markets. TIPS provides a method for assessing the tradeoffs of electricity generation technologies in terms of economic costs and environmental impacts. Economic costs include major factors such as the cost of capacity, fuel, operation and maintenance (O&M), as well as the costs of conservation programs and environmental impact mitigation technology. Environmental impacts include market externalities such as the environmental impacts on air, land, and water, and are normalized per kWh generated (for example, pounds of CO2 or NOx, acres of land, or gallons of cooling water consumed per kWh of generated electricity). Environmental impacts can further be associated with a cost, which is included in the overall levelized cost of electricity. Users can supply their own data for interactive experimentation, though peer-reviewed data are provided as default values. TIPS’ outputs include text, graphs, and pictograms showing the electricity output and environmental impact of the user’s selections, which allow the user to interpret the overall impact for different fuel mixes. Source data are incorporated from government sources and peer reviewed technical literature. The TIPS interactive interface allows the user to analyze a desired electricity mix according to the percentage breakdown of electricity production for each generation technology. The user input determines the overall direct and indirect costs of a unit of electricity according to the particular cost parameters associated with each generation technology. This manuscript discusses the methodology used in TIPS calculation and shares the results of using TIPS to analyze the cost and environmental impacts for a variety of illustrative and possible generation scenarios in Texas, including the following: high carbon prices, nuclear renaissance, and continuing wind market growth.

Comparative environmental impact assessments of green food certified cucumber and conventional cucumber cultivation in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Yuexian Liu ◽  
Xihui Ouyang ◽  
Jianqiang Hao ◽  
Xiaosong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food System ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Environmental Index ◽  
Energy Depletion ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessments ◽  
Green Food ◽  
Agricultural Input

AbstractThe need to ensure food safety has been recognized in China and the ‘Green Food’ system is used to restrict the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in its certified products. There has been limited study of the environmental impacts associated with the production of green food certified (GFC) products in China. In this study, life cycle assessment was used to evaluate environmental impacts of GFC cucumber cultivated under a greenhouse system in the suburbs of Beijing relative to conventional cultivation (CON), with the aim of identifying the key areas of potential environmental burden in cucumber cultivation. Eight environmental impact categories are considered, including global warming potential, energy depletion (ED), water depletion, acidification potential, aquatic eutrophication (AEU), human toxicity (HT), aquatic eco-toxicity (AET) and soil eco-toxicity (SET). Results showed that the environmental index of the GFC cucumber system was higher than that of the CON cucumber system. SET, EU and ED were identified as the main potential environmental impacts in cucumber systems, largely caused by fertilizer use on the farm. The potentials of HT and AET in GFC cucumber were lower than those in the CON system, mainly due to the reduced use of chemical pesticides. The agricultural input of plastics was the main contributor to energy depletion in both cucumber cultivation systems. Potential approaches to mitigate the environmental impacts of cucumber cultivation include increasing the fertilizer use efficiency, avoiding use of animal manure with high heavy metal content and recycling of plastics under the GFC cultivation system.

scholarly journals Examining the Economic and Environmental Impacts of COVID-19 Using Earth Observation Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
William Straka ◽  
Shobha Kondragunta ◽  
Zigang Wei ◽  
Hai Zhang ◽  
Steven D. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
Earth Observation Data

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected almost 73 million people and is responsible for over 1.63 million fatalities worldwide since early December 2019, when it was first reported in Wuhan, China. In the early stages of the pandemic, social distancing measures, such as lockdown restrictions, were applied in a non-uniform way across the world to reduce the spread of the virus. While such restrictions contributed to flattening the curve in places like Italy, Germany, and South Korea, it plunged the economy in the United States to a level of recession not seen since WWII, while also improving air quality due to the reduced mobility. Using daily Earth observation data (Day/Night Band (DNB) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Suomi-NPP and NO2 measurements from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument TROPOMI) along with monthly averaged cell phone derived mobility data, we examined the economic and environmental impacts of lockdowns in Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Washington DC from February to April 2020—encompassing the most profound shutdown measures taken in the U.S. The preliminary analysis revealed that the reduction in mobility involved two major observable impacts: (i) improved air quality (a reduction in NO2 and PM2.5 concentration), but (ii) reduced economic activity (a decrease in energy consumption as measured by the radiance from the DNB data) that impacted on gross domestic product, poverty levels, and the unemployment rate. With the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases and declining economic conditions, such knowledge can be combined with unemployment and demographic data to develop policies and strategies for the safe reopening of the economy while preserving our environment and protecting vulnerable populations susceptible to COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Assessing the Environmental Impact and Cost of the Tourism-Induced CO2, NOx, SOx Emission in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 604
Author(s):  
Yalan Shi ◽  
Miaojing Yu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Correlation Effect ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Travel Agency ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Direct Emission

Tourism, as one economic activity, results in a full range of environmental impacts globally as well as in China. However, the evaluation of environmental impacts is insufficient because of the strong correlation effect between tourism and other industries. This study attempted to assess the environmental impact and cost of the tourism-induced pollutant emissions (in a broad sense) at the national scale through constructing the environmental-economic input-output model. Our results suggested that the China’s total emission of CO2, NOx, SOx related to tourism industry increased from 42 × 106 t, 162 kt, 345 kt in 1995 to 157 × 106 t, 527 kt, 854 kt in 2009. The indirect CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions of tourism and related industries were nearly 6.8–11 times of their direct emission in travel agency. Most of these indirect emissions (73% of CO2 in 2009, 54% of NOx in 1995, 62% of SOx in 2009) are derived from the energy plants and industrial sectors. The sustainable tourism should largely depend on the realization of sustainable mobility and transportation, through the low-emission behavior and energy-saving technology. The emission reduction cost of tourism industry in China was 30,170 and 172,812 million CNY in 1995 and 2009, accounting for nearly 14% of the total tourism revenue.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Characteristics of Environmental Impacts According to the Cut-Off Criteria Applicable to the Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of Apartment Buildings in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2898
Author(s):  
Rakhyun Kim ◽  
Myung-Kwan Lim ◽  
Seungjun Roh ◽  
Won-Jun Park
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Impact Categories ◽  
Environmental Impact Analysis ◽  
Apartment Buildings ◽  
Environmental Impact Categories ◽  
Weight Percentile

This study analyzed the characteristics of the environmental impacts of apartment buildings, a typical housing type in South Korea, as part of a research project supporting the streamlined life cycle assessment (S-LCA) of buildings within the G-SEED (Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design) framework. Three recently built apartment building complexes were chosen as study objects for the quantitative evaluation of the buildings in terms of their embodied environmental impacts (global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone layer depletion potential, photochemical oxidant creation potential, and abiotic depletion potential), using the LCA approach. Additionally, we analyzed the emission trends according to the cut-off criteria of the six environmental impact categories by performing an S-LCA with cut-off criteria 90–99% of the cumulative weight percentile. Consequently, we were able to present the cut-off criterion best suited for S-LCA and analyze the effect of the cut-off criteria on the environmental impact analysis results. A comprehensive environmental impact analysis of the characteristics of the six environmental impact categories revealed that the error rate was below 5% when the cut-off criterion of 97.5% of the cumulative weight percentile was applied, thus verifying its validity as the optimal cut-off criterion for S-LCA.

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