Blog post 3: The environmental impacts of your meal or product
(SANDRP, 2015)
The two components of my meal that I decided were sugar(to make the jello), and the butter that goes on the Turkey. Butter and sugar are two staple ingredients in the culinary world, used in a wide variety of dishes and recipes across different cultures, The production of these ingredients is an intricate process that involves various methods and sources.
https://www.proterrafoundation.org/news/soil-degradation-erosion-and-salinization-2/
The production of butter begins with the primary course of its main ingredient-milk. Milk is collected from dairy farms, where cows are raised and cared for. The milking process yields the raw material necessary for butter production. The journey from milk to butter involves churning, a process that separates the butterfat from the buttermilk. This can be achieved through various methods, including traditional hand-churning or modern mechanical methods. Milk production and butter processing take place in numerous regions across the globe, with countries like the United States, India, and New Zealand being significant contributors to the global butter supply. These countries boast extensive dairy industries, with large-scale dairy farms producing the milk necessary for butter production.
Sugarcane is primarily grown in tropical and subtropical regions with countries such as Brazil, India, and China being major sugarcane producers. The process begins with cultivating sugarcane, which is harvested and processed to extract sugary juice from the plant. This juice undergoes a series of purification and clarification steps to remove impurities.
Sugar Map
Environmental Impacts
Butter production has significant environmental impacts, particularly concerning water, soil, and ecosystems. The process requires substantial water for irrigation, processing, and cleaning, which strains water resources and can lead to water scarcity, especially in regions already facing water shortages. Moreover, agricultural runoff from the fertilizers and pesticides used in growing feed crops can pollute surface and groundwater, harming aquatic ecosystems (European Environment Agency, 2021; Food Security, 2014). Regarding soil, butter production involves intensive dairy farming practices that can lead to soil erosion and nutrient loss. the use of chemical fertilizers and improper land management exacerbate these issues, leading to decreased soil quality and increased sediment runoff into nearby water bodies. This runoff can further contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems (Eat More Butter, 2023; European Environment Agency, 2021). The expansion of agricultural land for butter production often results in deforestation, which reduces biodiversity and disrupts habitats. The loss of forests not only impacts wildlife but also releases stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Sugar is a water-intensive crop. For example, it takes approximately 213 gallons of water to produce a pound of refined cane sugar. this substantial water use can deplete local water supplies, affecting both surface and groundwater levels (World Wildlife Fund, 2023). Moreover, runoff from sugar farms often contains fertilizers and pesticides, which pollute freshwater ecosystems. This runoff can lead to eutrophication, which depletes oxygen in water bodies and harms aquatic life, as seen in the Great Barrier Reef and Mesoamerican Reef (World Wildlife Fund, 2015).
Sugar production also leads to significant soil degradation. The repeated planting of sugar depletes soil nutrients, necessitating increased use of chemical fertilizers. Additionally, the cultivation process often involves clearing land, which strips away protective vegetation, leading to soil erosion. Exposed soils are more susceptible to nutrient leaching and degradation, further reducing soil fertility over time (WWF, 2005; WWF 2004).
The expansion of sugarcane plantations has led to habitat loss and a reduction in biodiversity. In regions like Brazil's Atlantic Forest and the Mekong Delta, large areas have been converted to sugarcane cultivation, displacing native species and reducing biodiversity. This habitat conversion affects the entire ecosystem, leading to long-term ecological imbalances (WWF, 2023; WWF, 2005).
The production of butter relies heavily on both chemicals and fossil fuels. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used extensively in the cultivation of feed crops, which can lead to soil and water pollution. Heavy metals from these chemicals can accumulate in the soil, affecting its health and the broader ecosystem ( European Environment Agency, 2021). Fossils are used throughout the butter production process, from powering farm machinery to processing and transporting the product. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to climate change and air pollution (Eat More Butter, 2023).
In terms of sugar, during the refining process, chemicals such as lime and sulfur dioxide are used. Lime helps to clarify the sugar juice, while sulfur dioxide bleaches the sugar to achieve the desired color. The improper disposal of these chemicals can lead to water pollution and soil contamination (EPA, 2021). In terms of fossil fuels, particularly diesel, power the machinery used for planting, harvesting, and transporting sugar crops. The combustion of these fuels releases greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which contribute to global warming (Understanding Global Change, 2021). The processing of sugar cane into refined sugar requires significant energy, often derived from fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. This energy consumption leads to GHG emissions and air pollution, including the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (Nox), which contribute to acid rain and respiratory issues in humans and animals (EPA, 2021).
Butter production is a notable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy cows produce methane, and potent greenhouse gas, during digestion. Additionally, the energy-intensive processes involved in converting milk to butter add to its carbon footprint. The transportation of both raw materials and finished products further contributes to carbon dioxide emissions (Eat More BUtter, 2023). These emissions have significant implications for climate change, as methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. The cumulative effect of these emissions from the dairy industry is substantial, making it a critical area for environmental management, and mitigation efforts (European Environment Agency, 2021).
Transportation, Distribution, Consumption, and Waste
Both butter and sugar typically go through a process until I (the consumer) receive them. For me, I receive it either at a farmers market or a corner store. However, there is a lot more to the transportation of butter and sugar than form when I receive them. Both sugar and butter reach consumers through a combination of truck transportation and retail distribution.
The primary ingredient for butter is milk, which often comes from local or regional dairy farms. However, the definition of "local" can vary. For instance, if you live in a region with a strong dairy industry, such as the Midwest in the United States, the milk used to produce butter might come from nearby farms ( Midwest Dairy Association, n.d.). After being produced in dairy farms, the milk is transported by refrigerated trucks to processing plants where it is turned into butter. From these plants, the butter is distributed in certain areas (Inbound Logistics, n.d.). Conversely, their furthest-traveled components might include packaging material, which is often sourced globally due to cost and manufacturing considerations. In general, the milk itself is likely the most local component due to the perishability and logistical efficiencies of sourcing from nearby farms (Have Ignition, n.d.).
The journey of sugar from its point of origin to the consumer is complex and involves several stages, including cultivation, processing, and transportation. The global supply chain for sugar involves major producing countries like Brazil, India, Thailand, China, and Mexico, which together account for a significant portion of the world's sugar supply (Shipping and Commodity Academy, 2022). Sugar is produced from two main crops: sugarcane and sugar beet. Sugar cane, grown in tropical and subtropical regions, makes up about 80% of global sugar production, while sugar beet, cultivated in temperate regions, contributes the remaining 20% (Shipping and Commodity Academy, 2022). After harvest, the raw sugar has a couple other steps and then based on distance, is sent by truck, train, or ship.
In terms of local versus distant components of sugar, the answer depends on the region. For instance, in the United States, sugar produced from sugar beets grown in the Midwest or sugarcane from states like Florida and Louisiana can be considered local. Conversely, imported sugar, which constitutes a significant portion of the U.S. supply comes from countries like Brazil and Mexico and travels thousands of miles to reach American consumers (American Sugar Alliance, 2022).
The farthest-traveled component of sugar is typically the raw sugar from major exported lie Brazil, which is then refined and distributed worldwide. Local sugar components would generally include those produced within the same country or nearby regions, minimizing transportation distance and associated costs.
As far as waste goes, butter production generates several types of waste. the most visible waste is packaging, which includes paper, plastic, and sometimes aluminum foil. These materials can contribute to landfill waste is not properly recycled. Additionally, the production process can result in food waste, particularly in the form of whey, a by-product of butter cheese production. This waste can be used as animal feed or further processed, but if not managed properly, it can contribute to environmental pollution (Foodengine, 2011). The environmental impacts of packaging waste include increased landfill use and potential pollution of natural habitats if waste is not properly managed. Efforts to use eco-friendly and recyclable packaging can mitigate some of these impacts (Oracle, n.d.).
Sugar is often packaged in materials such as plastic, glass, and aluminum. The production and disposal of these materials contribute to environmental degradation in various ways. Plastic packaging, for instance, is particularly problematic. it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions during its production and does not decompose fully, instead breaking down into microplastics that pollute oceans and are ingested by marine life and humans (Environment Co, 2024). Glass and aluminum packaging also have their own environmental footprints, with glass production involving significant energy use and emissions, and aluminum production contributing to air pollution and resource depletion (FoodPrint, n.d.; Environment Co, 2024).
Geographical Scale and Place-Specificity Reflection
The environmental impacts of butter production can be quite local in nature. For example, dairy farms and butter processing facilities often affect nearby water resources through runoff through fertilizers and manure, leading to local water pollution and eutrophication in adjacent water bodies (FoodPrint, 2020). Additionally, local air quality can be impacted by methane emissions from cows and ammonia emissions from manure, which can contribute to local air pollution (Our World in Data, 2020). Certain regions bear a disproportionate share of the environmental impacts of butter production. Areas with high concentrations of dairy farms, such as parts of the United States, Europe, and New Zealand, experience significant environmental strain from intensive dairy farming practices. These include water usage for irrigation, pollution from farm runoff, and land degradation (Sceincedirect, 2020).
Sugar cane is a highly water-intensive crop, requiring substantial irrigation in many regions, notably in Brazil and the Mekong. This extensive water use can deplete local water resources and affect the availability of water for purposes, including drinking and agriculture. Additionally, runoff from sugar plantations can pollute local water bodies with pesticides, fertilizers, and sediments, harming aquatic ecosystems and reducing water quality (WWF, 2011). The cultivation of sugar cane can lead to soil nutrients, making the land less fertile over time. This degradation can be worsened by heavy machinery, which compacts the soil and reduces its ability to retain water (WWF, 2004). Burning sugar cane fields, a common practice in many regions to facilitate harvest, releases large amounts of particulate matter and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This practice contributes to local air pollution and can have adverse health effects on nearby communities (Mongabay, 2013). In Brazil, India, and Thailand there are major sugar producers therefore they are the ones who suffer the more intense environmental degradation compared to countries that only import sugar.
As touched on earlier, to look at the effects from a global standpoint we are able to find out that the production of butter and sugar contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through fossil fuels and other chemicals. As these products are being transported globally, the environmental footprint of sugar production extends beyond local regions to affect the global climate and biodiversity.
In all, it is clear that sustainable practices in butter and sugar production are essential, and our aim should be to reduce these environmental and social impacts by promoting better management. Who would have thought the components of a Thanksgiving dinner would have this much of an effect on the environment?
To find out more about the effects of both butter and sugar here are two links to follow that describe the effects more thoroughly with a breakdown of numbers of butter impact as well as fun facts for how sugar impacts the environment: Butter Link, Sugar Link.
Sources:
American Sugar Alliance. (2022). Sugar: A Strong Supply Chain. Retrieved from https://www.sugarproducer.com
Eat More Butter. (2023). The Environmental Impact of Butter Production. Retrieved from https://www.eatmorebutter.com
EPA. (2021). Biofuels and the Environment. Retrieved from EPA
European Environment Agency. (2021). Soil pollution and ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.eea.europa.eu
Food Engine. (2011). From farm to fork: How does a food supply chain work? Retrieved from https://www.foodengine.eu/
Food Print. (2020). Dairy Production: Overview and Impacts. Retrieved from https://foodprint.org
Food Security. (2014). Environmental impacts and constraints associated with the production of major food crops in
Have Ignition. (n.d.). Product management for butter. Retrieved from https://www.haveignition.com
Inbound Logistics. (n.d.). The dairy supply chain: From farm to fridge. Retrieved from https://www.inboundlogistics.com
Midwest Dairy Association. (n.d.). Dairy farming and precision agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.midwestdairy.com
Mongabay. (2013). Sugarcane production impacting local climate in Brazil. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com
Oracle. (n.d.). How grocery store supply chains work. Retrieved from https://www.oracle.com
Our World in Data. (2020). Environmental impacts of food production. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food
SANDRP. (2015). Water and Sugarcane Crushing in Maharashtra: in search of sustainability. SANDRP. https://sandrp.in/2015/10/15/water-and-sugar-cane-crushing-in-maharashtra-in-search-of-sustainability/
Sciencedirect. (2020). Environmental impacts of milk powder and butter manufactured in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com
Shipping and Commodity Academy. (2022). Sugar Supply Chain: Understanding the Complexities of Production and Distribution. Retrieved from https://www.shippingandcommodityacademy.com
Understanding Global Change. (2021). Burning of fossil fuels. Retrieved from Understanding Global Change
World Wildlife Fund. (2004). Environmental Impacts of Sugar Production. Retrieved from www.wwf.eu
World Wildlife Fund. (2023). Sugarcane. Retrieved from www.worldwildlife.org
World Wildlife Fund. (2005). Sugar and the Environment - Encouraging Better Management Practices in Sugar
Production and Processing. Retrieved from wwf.panda.org
World Wildlife Fund. (2015). Sugarcane Farming's Toll on the Environment. Retrieved from www.worldwildlife.org
WWF. (2004). Environmental impacts of sugar production. Retrieved from https://www.wwf.eu/?16691/Environmental-Impacts-of-Sugar-Production
WWF. (2011). Sweet news for environment as sustainable sugar comes to market. Retrieved from https://www.wwf.panda.org
WWF. (2011). Sweet news for environment as sustainable sugar comes to market. Retrieved from https://www.wwf.panda.org
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