The food and beverage industry provides people with essential nutrients. Nonetheless, substantial environmental concerns are arising due to these commercial practices. The world needs to see a change as many production processes lead to water and air pollution and scarce resources for humans and wildlife. Discover the environmental risks of the food and beverage industry in this post.
Crop irrigation, food processing, and thorough cleaning processes are some of the tasks that heavily rely on water. Communities across the globe struggle to access clean, safe water due to the industry’s high water consumption.
The United Nations states that, “2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress.” This essential resource becomes even scarcer for the communities that need it to survive as the industry overindulges on its water sources.
Water usage isn’t the only concern. Runoff from agricultural properties is a primary source of pollutants entering our natural water supply. This runoff often contains high levels of fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals applied to enhance crop yields.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s National Water Quality Assessment states that, “Agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality impacts to rivers and streams.” The process contributes to eutrophication, or a nutrient increase in the water that leads to excessive algae and aquatic plant growth. This excessive growth depletes oxygen levels in the water quickly, gradually degrading aquatic ecosystems.
Global greenhouse gases (GHG) are a driving factor of climate change. Implementing the fundamental eco-friendly practices for business owners is a start, but there’s more to uncover.
The food and beverage industry emits high amounts of GHG daily. Every step of the supply chain—farming, processing, transportation, and refrigeration—releases carbon into the atmosphere.
Livestock also contribute to methane emissions that result from the digestive processes of ruminant animals such as cows, sheep, and goats. This aspect of agriculture underscores the urgent need for sustainable farming practices and innovations to reduce food production’s environmental impact.
We convert vast areas of forests and wildlands into agricultural fields and plantations to meet the rising demand for food across the world. This deforestation is particularly prevalent in tropical regions, where companies clear land for palm oil, soy, and cattle ranching. This action leads to a loss of biodiversity, disrupts carbon sequestration processes, and furthers the effects of climate change.
The environmental risks of the food and beverage industry can decrease by implementing excellent data collection techniques. It’s the key to understanding the industry’s environmental footprint and implementing corrective measures.
Additionally, advanced analytics and technology enable small business owners to track sustainable supply chains, unveiling the true environmental costs of their products. This transparency allows for the development of more sustainable sourcing strategies, reduction in waste, and adoption of eco-friendly practices. Small business owners can also use these data-driven insights to make strong policy changes, guide consumer choices, and foster collaboration between stakeholders to address environmental issues collectively.
