scholarly journals Water Footprint Assessment of Food Loss and Waste Management Strategies in Spanish Regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7538
Author(s):  
Daniel Hoehn ◽  
María Margallo ◽  
Jara Laso ◽  
Israel Ruiz-Salmón ◽  
Ana Fernández-Ríos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Food Loss ◽  
Water Degradation ◽  
Spanish Regions ◽  
The World

The availability of freshwater is one of the biggest limitations and challenges of food production, as freshwater is an increasingly scarce and overexploited resource in many parts of the world. Therefore, the concept of water footprint (WF) has gained increasing interest, in the same way that the generation of food loss and waste (FLW) in food production and consumption has become a social and political concern. Along this line, the number of studies on the WF of the food production sector is currently increasing all over the world, analyzing water scarcity and water degradation as a single WF indicator or as a so-called WF profile. In Spain, there is no study assessing the influence of FLW generation along the whole food supply chain nor is there a study assessing the different FLW management options regarding the food supply chain’s WF. This study aimed to assess the spatially differentiated WF profile for 17 Spanish regions over time, analyzing the potential linkages of FLW management and water scarcity and water degradation. The assessment considered compliance and non-compliance with the Paris Agreement targets and was based on the life cycle assessment approach. Results are highlighted in a compliance framework; the scenarios found that anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting (to a lesser extent) had the lowest burdens, while scenarios with thermal treatment had the highest impact. Additionally, the regions in the north of Spain and the islands were less influenced by the type of FLW management and by compliance with the Paris Agreement targets.

scholarly journals The water footprint of beef cattle in the amazon region, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Urandi João Rodrigues Junior ◽  
Maurício Dziedzic
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Water Point ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
Constant Growth

ABSTRACT: Food production and water scarcity, both in constant growth and intrinsically linked, are subjects of great relevance in current studies in several areas of knowledge. The impacts generated by the production of beef are at the center of major environmental debates, especially the consumption of water for the production and development of the livestock production chain. This research analyzed the use of water resources in the production of beef in the Amazon biome. The water footprint for beef cattle was of 13,074 L.kg-1 compared to a world average of 21,829 L.kg-1. Based on the data obtained it was possible to demonstrate that the presence and operationalization of this production chain in the Amazon is more efficient from the water point of view than in the other locations reported in the literature.

Environmental impacts of food supply and obesogenic severity worldwide

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (12) ◽  
pp. 2863-2879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Botti Abbade
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scatter Plots ◽  
Average Body Mass ◽  
Average Body

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the severity of obesogenic societies is associated with more significant environmental impacts, and whether these impacts are associated with the production, supply, and consumption of animal foods more so than with plant foods. Design/methodology/approach – This ecological study was based on analyses of available data regarding populations of countries throughout the world. The study analyzed indicators related to food production, food supply, the anthropometric traits of malnutrition, and ecological impacts. Data were analyzed via scatter plots and Pearson’s correlation. Findings – Food supply, when compared with food production, is more significantly associated with environmental impacts. Also, the supply of meats, when compared with the supply of cereals, has a stronger association with environmental impacts and obesogenic severity. Meat supply is strongly associated with the ecological footprint (r=0.782, p < 0.001), with CO2 emissions (r=0.602, p < 0.001), and with the water footprint (r=0.503, p < 0.001). Thus, the average body mass index (BMI) of populations worldwide is strongly associated with environmental impacts considering the ecological footprint (r=0.559, p < 0.001), and the CO2 emissions (r=0.460, p < 0.001). Practical implications – Actions that are better aligned with worldwide urgencies related to obesogenic problems, food supply/consumption, and environmental issues are needed. This study provides a better understanding about environmental and obesogenic impacts associated with food supply. Originality/value – The originality is focussed on important evidence regarding environmental and obesogenic severity strongly associated with meat supply.

scholarly journals Feeding the World in a Time of Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Gary W. van Loon ◽  
Atanu Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food System ◽  
The Core ◽  
Food Grains ◽  
The World ◽  
Core Feature ◽  
Critical Problems ◽  
The Many ◽  
Global Population

Abstract Maintaining a plentiful and high-quality food supply is essential to enable humans to survive and flourish in the coming decades. In 2019/20, an estimated 2.71 Gt of food grains have been produced worldwide. This fundamental food source is alone enough to supply sufficient nutritional kilocalories for the entire current global population. And nutrition is supplemented by the many other crops, livestock and sea food that are part of the overall food system. Yet, in the same year, it is estimated that around 821 million people, more than one tenth of the 7.6 billion people in the world were chronically hungry. There are many reasons for this. Waste—the FAO estimates that around one third of food produced is wasted—is certainly one, but also important are the inequities in the food production and supply system. While much can and should be done to correct these two critical problems, sustainable agriculture remains as the core feature of a healthy food supply.

A Review on Post-Harvesting Losses and Opportunities in Cold Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Asiya S Pendhari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Food Services ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Food Loss ◽  
The World ◽  
Post Harvesting

The food supply chain is one of the most complex systems. The system begins with production and then continues with food handling techniques for preservation. In practice, the surplus food distributed seems to have been passing through various stages before it actually reaches out to consumers. However, the question arises if all the food produced is totally consumed. In this paper, we shall be studying the distinct stages involved in the food supply chain; how and where the food loss takes place; and the tremendous impacts it caused socially and economically. This paper will further help in quantifying the food waste and shall be obliged in identifying the required actions to overcome food loss and waste globally. This paper outlines different strategies and approaches adopted for post-harvest food loss assessments in order to achieve sustainable food services; move towards zero waste economy to implement poverty extermination and food security around the world.

scholarly journals GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES: CHALLENGES OF THE 21st CENTURY

2020 ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
V. Khilchevskyi
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
River Runoff ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Human Society ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Water

The article provides an analytical overview of the state of global water resources and their use in the world. The focus is on the most important component of water resources – freshwater, which on the planet is only 2.5 % of the total. The most accessible renewable water resources are river runoff, which is distributed unevenly on the surface of the planet: Asia (32 %), South America (28 %), North America (18 %), Africa (9 %), Europe (7%), Australia and Oceania (6 %). Along with the characteristics of the known components of freshwater resources (river runoff, groundwater, glaciers), attention is also focused on trends in attracting unconventional sources (recovered wastewater or gray water, desalinated, specially collected rainwater). The total use of fresh water in the world is only 9 % of the total river flow of the planet. At the same time, the problem of water scarcity was included in the list of the World Economic Forum 2015, as one of the global risks in terms of the potential impact on human society in the next decade. Among the causes of global water, scarcity are geographical and socio-economic. Geographical reasons are the spatial and temporal (seasonal) mismatch of the demand for fresh water and its availability. Socio-economic reasons are the growth of the world’s population, urbanization, improving living standards, changes in consumption patterns, and an increase in irrigated land. The latter has become key to the growth of global water demand. Experts forecast that the limited access to fresh water in 2050 can be felt by 3.3 billion more people than in 2000. The article gives examples of a methodology for the hydrological assessment of water scarcity (calculation of the ratio of the volume of annual renewable water resources to the population) and the methodology of economic and geographical assessment. Other approaches to assessing water resources by creating new paradigms (water – blue, green, virtual, water footprint) have been characterized. Throughout the history of mankind, there have been many conflicts related to water. Active water cooperation between countries today reduces the risk of military conflicts. This conclusion was made after studying transboundary water relations in more than 200joint river basins, covering 148 countries. The right to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental right of everyone (UN, 2010). Therefore, among the 17 sustainable development goals adopted by the UN for implementation for the period 2015-2030, Global Goal 6 “Clean Water and Good Sanitary Conditions” is aimed at ensuring sustainable management of water resources and sanitation for all. This will save people from diseases, and society will be given the opportunity to be more productive in economic terms.

scholarly journals Reducing Water Scarcity by Reducing Food Loss and Waste

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Landon T. Marston ◽  
Quentin D. Read ◽  
Samuel P. Brown ◽  
Mary K. Muth
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
System Level ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Food Loss ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions ◽  
Policy Measures

Water scarcity is a pervasive threat to society that is expected to intensify alongside a growing and more affluent population and a changing climate. In this paper, we review the existing literature to assess the potential of lessening water scarcity by reducing food loss and waste. Existing studies reveal the scope of food loss and waste and its accompanying impact on water resources, thereby providing a foundation for policy action. We highlight existing or proposed food loss and waste reduction measures and review available evidence concerning their impact on water resources. Our review reveals that there is a deficit of research that can guide specific policy interventions aimed at mitigating water scarcity by reducing food loss and waste. Instead, the last decade of research has primarily focused on quantifying the current water footprint of food loss and waste for different locations, points within the supply chain, and food groups. Yet, the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates, their lack of precision, and several simplifying assumptions make it difficult to translate this research into robust policy measures to reduce the environmental burden of food loss and waste. We conclude by advancing a research agenda that will (i) quantify and reduce uncertainty through enhanced data collection and methods; (ii) holistically assess policy measures, including system level impacts and feedback; (iii) develop methods and technologies for transparent supply chain tracing. Together, advances in these areas will guide and ground food loss and waste policy toward reducing water scarcity.

scholarly journals Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food?

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rovshen Ishangulyyev ◽  
Sanghyo Kim ◽  
Sang Lee
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Food Loss ◽  
Global Variation ◽  
The World ◽  
Feasible Solutions ◽  
Agricultural Organization

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that approximately one-third of all produced foods (1.3 billion tons of edible food) for human consumption is lost and wasted every year across the entire supply chain. Significant impacts of food loss and waste (FLW) have increased interest in establishing prevention programs around the world. This paper aims to provide an overview of FLW occurrence and prevention. Economic, political, cultural, and socio-demographic drivers of FLW are described, highlighting the global variation. This approach might be particularly helpful for scientists, governors, and policy makers to identify the global variation and to focus on future implications. The main focus here was to identify the cause of the FLW occurrence throughout the food supply chain. We have created a framework for FLW occurrence at each stage of the food supply chain. Several feasible solutions are provided based on the framework.

scholarly journals Downsizing our Water Footprint

elni Review ◽  
2012 ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Marga Robesin
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
World Population ◽  
Water Infrastructure ◽  
The World ◽  
Clean Drinking Water ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Sanitary Services

884 million people are without adequate access to clean drinking water and 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitary services. Due to preventable water and sanitation-related diseases an average of 5.000 children dies each day. This is not only caused by the absence of local adequate water infrastructure, but also by regional water scarcity. In the near future the problem of water scarcity will even increase in several regions of the world because of factors like a growing world population and climate change. How can we stop this fatal trend? Left aside the need for a better water infrastructure and other measures to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitary services, the global water demand needs to be reduced. Not only for the sake of people, but also for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. Using water saving showerheads in our households is not enough to achieve substantial water use reduction. In the past decade scientists have developed methods to calculate our water footprint in the world. In 2011 the Global Standard for Water Footprint Assessment, developed by the Water Footprint Network (WFN) was published. It shows that the major part of our water footprint (WF) consists of water that is used for the production of our food and other products we consume. Famous examples are the 15.000 litres water needed to produce one kg beef or the fact that 140 litres water are used for the production of one (Dutch) cup of coffee. Reduction of humanity's water footprint is urgently needed in order to keep water use within the boundaries of our planet. This article intends to give a short overview of current discussions on the question how to achieve substantial water footprint reduction, focussing in particular on certification and labelling.

Phosphorus: Past History and Contributions to the Global Food Supply

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Past History ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

Since its early rudimentary forms, phosphate fertilizer has developed in step with our understanding of successful food production systems. Recognized as essential to life, the responsible use P in agriculture remains key to food security.

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