scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment for Conventional and Organic Agro-Foods Ecological Footprint

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iuliana VINTILA
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Pelagic Fish ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Low Co2 ◽  
Conventional Production ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Distribution Chain

The present paper research compares the Ecological Footprint (EF) of conventional and organic agro-foods in relation with the carbon emissions generated in the production and distribution chain. The conventional production system were found to have a EF value in average with 50% higher than in organic processing, mainly due to the agricultural and packing procedures. The lowest CO2 emissions were found for organic cereal production (1.15gha/t in rye case). Pork meat production is less emission intense than chicken, which is more environmentally favorable than lamb and beef. The reducing of EF in case of organic production is in the range of 1,05 (potatoes)-1,89 (tomatoes) times in vegetables case, 1.15 (rye)–2.23 (wheat) in cereals case, 1.03(chicken)-1.93(turkey) in meats case and dramatically more in case of sea foods 1.64 (shrimps)-5.9. Pelagic fish species such as herring or mackerel with low CO2 emissions register the highest reducing of EF in case of organic conversion of production and Eco-friendly distribution system.

scholarly journals Design, Control, and Performance Aspects of Semi-Closed Greenhouses

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1739
Author(s):  
Athanasios Sapounas ◽  
Nikolaos Katsoulas ◽  
Bart Slager ◽  
Robert Bezemer ◽  
Charlotte Lelieveld
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Climate Control ◽  
Cooling Mode ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Air Treatment ◽  
Low Co2 ◽  
And Performance

Several greenhouse energy saving technologies and management strategies have been developed in order to meet the needs for implementation of production systems with low and efficient energy use and low CO2 emissions. Towards this aim, a number of greenhouse concepts that make use of these technologies have been developed and tested, such as the closed greenhouse, the solar greenhouse, the energy-producing greenhouse, and others. The closed or semi-closed greenhouse concept is widely accepted as a concept to achieve the targets for energy saving and low CO2 emissions. A major difference of this concept to a conventional greenhouse is that climate control by window ventilation is partially or completely replaced by systems that treat the air, regulate the air exchange between inside and outside, and in few cases collect and store the excess heat load in order to be reused at a later time. A semi-closed greenhouse allows temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration to be controlled independently, during heating as well as cooling mode function. Among others, semi-closed greenhouses offer possibilities for better control of greenhouse environment, for increasing water use efficiency by decreasing the evaporation losses via ventilation and for reducing the pesticide use by decreasing the entry of insects and fungal spores in the greenhouse through the ventilation openings. The aim of this review is to focus on the design, control, and performance aspects of semi-closed greenhouse systems which use either (a) an air treatment corridor with evaporative cooling pad connected with an air distribution system with perforated polyethylene tubes or (b) decentralized air treatment units distributed inside the greenhouse. It gives on overview of the principles of the semi-closed greenhouse, the potential energy consumption and the expected savings. Additionally, it gives insight into the climate conditions in relation to the conventional greenhouse, crop growth, water consumption, and pest control.

scholarly journals “It’s still an animal that died for me.” Responsibility and meat consumption

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-753
Author(s):  
Fabienne Gfeller
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Food Of Animal Origin ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
The Way

The aim of this paper is to explore the way people engaging in a more or less strict reduction of their consumption of food of animal origin (de)construct their responsibility regarding the food production and distribution system. Starting from a description of the crisis in meat production, it contributes to the understanding of the way people who are sensitive to these issues position themselves by focusing on the notion of responsibility. Ciarán Benson’s work on positioning serves as theoretical background. Through the analysis of interviews and a qualitative experiment with people who changed their consumption of food of animal origin recently, several dimensions along which responsibility is constructed are identified. Those are 1) who bears responsibility, 2) towards whom or what, 3) the action that is considered, 4) the knowledge implicated and 5) the power to act in that situation. The main proposition of the paper is to enhance Benson’s approach through the inclusion of a collective “we.” The study took place in Switzerland, where meat consumption is the norm. This context also implies a certain room for maneuver in the choice of products, as well as the presence of debates around the ecological and ethical implications of meat production.

scholarly journals Sustainability Investigation of Vehicles’ CO2 Emission in Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8237
Author(s):  
István Árpád ◽  
Judit T. Kiss ◽  
Gábor Bellér ◽  
Dénes Kocsis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
The European Union ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Low Co2

The regulation of vehicular CO2 emissions determines the permissible emissions of vehicles in units of g CO2/km. However, these values only partially provide adequate information because they characterize only the vehicle but not the emission of the associated energy supply technology system. The energy needed for the motion of vehicles is generated in several ways by the energy industry, depending on how the vehicles are driven. These methods of energy generation consist of different series of energy source conversions, where the last technological step is the vehicle itself, and the result is the motion. In addition, sustainability characterization of vehicles cannot be determined by the vehicle’s CO2 emissions alone because it is a more complex notion. The new approach investigates the entire energy technology system associated with the generation of motion, which of course includes the vehicle. The total CO2 emissions and the resulting energy efficiency have been determined. For this, it was necessary to systematize (collect) the energy supply technology lines of the vehicles. The emission results are not given in g CO2/km but in g CO2/J, which is defined in the paper. This new method is complementary to the European Union regulative one, but it allows more complex evaluations of sustainability. The calculations were performed based on Hungarian data. Finally, using the resulting energy efficiency values, the emission results were evaluated by constructing a sustainability matrix similar to the risk matrix. If only the vehicle is investigated, low CO2 emissions can be achieved with vehicles using internal combustion engines. However, taking into consideration present technologies, in terms of sustainability, the spread of electric-only vehicles using renewable energies can result in improvement in the future. This proposal was supported by the combined analysis of the energy-specific CO2 emissions and the energy efficiency of vehicles with different power-driven systems.

Optimizing the production and distribution system of bioenergy villages

2014 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
pp. 62-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Uhlemair ◽  
Ingo Karschin ◽  
Jutta Geldermann
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Production And Distribution

Supercritical water oxidation of coal in power plants with low CO2 emissions

Energy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 2144-2150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Donatini ◽  
Gianluca Gigliucci ◽  
Juri Riccardi ◽  
Massimo Schiavetti ◽  
Roberto Gabbrielli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Water Oxidation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Supercritical Water Oxidation ◽  
Low Co2

scholarly journals Appraisal of the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep systems to the organic production model

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Francisco de Asís Ruiz ◽  
Daniel Grande ◽  
José Nahed ◽  
José María Castel ◽  
Yolanda Mena
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Meat Sheep ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract In the Mediterranean Basin, sheep meat production systems are based on grazing, and help to conserve biodiversity, mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions and maintain the population in rural areas. However, the lack of differentiation of pastoral systems, as opposed to the intensive model, puts its continuity at risk. In this sense, organic farming can be an alternative to sustain extensive sheep-cereal production systems in marginal Mediterranean drylands. The aim of this research was to evaluate the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep production systems to the organic production model in the Mediterranean Basin, working with the autochthonous Segureña breed sheep. 46 farms were studied, classified into four clusters by mean of multivariate analysis. In order to determine the degree to which farms approached the organic model, 60 variables, grouped into nine indicators were analyzed to obtain an Organic Conversion Index (OCI). The Nutritional management indicator has a high value of approaching the organic model, as well as Animal welfare and Food safety. Marketing and business management, Breeds and reproduction, Weed and pest control and Sustainable pasture management indicators also reach a good approximation level. Only the Breeds and reproduction indicator presented values with significant differences between clusters. The average value of the OCI for the 46 farms ranges from 63 to 70%, and therefore it can be concluded that extensive meat sheep herds in the region are close to this production model. Among the recommendations that can be made to improve the conversion possibilities to the organic model are: (i) to increase own fodder production or find a way to obtain it easily and economically; (ii) to complete the plant−soil−animal cycle, (iii) to seek greater marketing autonomy and (iv) to achieve closer contact with the final consumer. At the same time, government policy both in Spain and other parts of Europe should persevere to find more ways to support the progress of this type of production, in an effort to address limitations and overcome the lack of alternative markets.

scholarly journals Nutritional and sensory value of conventionally vs organically grown Chinese radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus)

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 64-70
Author(s):  
M. Jurica ◽  
K. Petříková
Keyword(s):  
Matter Content ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
Conventional Production ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Sensorial Evaluation ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
Organically Grown

The nutritional and sensory value of Chinese radish, cv. Jarola F1, grown in organic and conventional systems was evaluated. The experiments were based on certified organic land and conventional land of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague at the experimental station of Troja. Radish was grown in two spacings. Radish from the organic cultivation system exhibited a significantly lower dry matter content compared to the conventional production, 62.4 g/kg <br /> and 68.9 g/kg, respectively. This can be explained by growing under unwoven textile. Furthermore, radish cultivated organically had a significantly lower content of monosaccharides (17.2 mg/kg, while the conventional production contained 26.1 mg/kg) and significantly higher contents of nitrates. The content of vitamin C in organic production tended to be higher (212 mg/kg, in conventional production 169 mg/kg). The crude fibre content or the content of minerals was not significantly affected by the growing system. Growing spacing did not affect the nutritional value. Organically produced radish had better sensorial evaluation. &nbsp;

Monitoring the Microbial Populations and Temperatures of Fresh Broccoli from Harvest to Retail Display†

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1118-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. DALLAIRE ◽  
D. I. LeBLANC ◽  
C. C. TRANCHANT ◽  
L. VASSEUR ◽  
P. DELAQUIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Experimental Variability ◽  
Retail Display

Microbial populations and the temperature of fresh broccoli were monitored at several steps of a supply chain by sampling 33 distinct lots of locally grown produce over two seasons during harvest, storage, wholesale handling, and retail display. Imported broccoli was also sampled, but only at retail display. Microbiological analyses were conducted on the florets of 201 local and 60 imported broccoli samples to determine populations of total aerobic bacteria (aerobic colony count), fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. All the samples had mean aerobic colony counts ranging between 4 and 6 log CFU/g, but L. monocytogenes was not detected (limit of detection = 100 CFU/g). Fecal coliforms and E. coli (limit of detection = 20 most probable number per 100 g) were found in 22 of 126 samples of local broccoli collected at various steps of the production and distribution system during the first season. None was found in 75 samples collected in the second season. Fecal coliforms and E. coli were found in 2 of 60 imported broccoli samples. Broccoli temperatures were relatively well controlled throughout the production and distribution system. No clear change in produce microbial populations was evident between harvest and retail display, during both sampling seasons. However, a large experimental variability was found, possibly associated with the high variability of the initial levels of microbial populations on broccoli at harvest.

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