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Mariana Melo, Eimy García, Oriana Villegas, Ian Zuñiga, Juan Clavijo, Isabella Ramos, Allison Salazar. 

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Mariana Melo, Eimy García, Oriana Villegas, Ian Zuñiga, Juan Clavijo, Isabella Ramos, Allison Salazar. 

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Environmental Impact of Food Production in Different Countries

1. Introduction:

Food production generates a significant amount of waste and pollution worldwide. The countries that contribute the most to this issue are those with high food production, but this is also due to poor practices in waste management and packaging. Below are the eight most polluting countries in terms of food production.

2. Countries and Their Environmental Impact

1. United States

Types of Waste: Food waste, greenhouse gas emissions, plastic packaging pollution.

News: In 2020, a report by the USDA revealed that 30-40% of food produced in the U.S. is wasted. Much of this waste occurs in supermarkets, restaurants, and households.

Impact: Methane emissions from landfills, where food is discarded, significantly contribute to climate change.

2. China

Types of Waste: Food waste, agricultural waste, pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

News: In 2021, China launched a campaign to reduce food waste in its cities, as 17% of the food produced is wasted.

Impact: The accumulation of pesticides and chemicals in water and soil severely affects the environment.

3. India

Types of Waste: Food waste, agricultural waste (pesticides and fertilizers).

News: A report by Niti Aayog (2019) revealed that India wastes about 67 million tons of food each year, mainly due to inadequate storage infrastructure.

Impact: Agricultural waste contributes to soil and water pollution.

4. Brazil

Types of Waste: Food waste, deforestation from agricultural expansion, greenhouse gas emissions.

News: According to the Institute for Environmental Research in the Amazon (IPAM), agricultural expansion, especially livestock farming, is one of the main causes of deforestation in the Amazon.

Impact: Deforestation and land burning release large amounts of CO2, affecting the global climate.

5. Russia

Types of Waste: Food waste, agricultural waste, plastic pollution.

News: A study by RUSAL (2018) indicated that about 25% of food in Russia is wasted due to poor practices in the supply chain.

Impact: Plastic and food waste create significant pollution in landfills, affecting soil and water.

6. Japan

Types of Waste: Food waste, plastic waste.

News: Japan has been criticized for its food waste culture, although it is taking steps to reduce waste through government and private initiatives.

Impact: Food waste in landfills generates methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

7. Mexico

Types of Waste: Food waste, plastic waste.

News: In 2019, Mexico wasted approximately 20 million tons of food, according to FAO. Much of the waste comes from supermarkets and households.

Impact: Plastics and food waste affect soil and water contamination.

8. Australia

Types of Waste: Food waste, plastic pollution, greenhouse gas emissions from food production.

News: According to Sustainability Victoria, Australians throw away over $8 billion worth of food each year. The largest portion of this waste comes from households.

Impact: The environmental impact includes methane emissions from food sent to landfills, and plastic packaging from food production and distribution.

3. Questions and Answers

What types of waste are generated?

The most common wastes are: uneaten food, packaging waste (plastic, cardboard, glass), greenhouse gas emissions (methane), and agricultural waste (fertilizers and pesticides).

Why do supermarkets throw away food?

Supermarkets discard food for several reasons: expired products, products with a poor appearance (even though they are safe to eat), excess inventory, and waste due to improper handling. The cost of storing or donating food is sometimes higher than the cost of discarding it.

What is the environmental impact of plastic packaging?

Plastic packaging is one of the main sources of pollution because it is difficult to recycle, and often ends up in landfills or the sea. This contributes to soil, water, and marine wildlife contamination.

What is composting, and how does it help reduce waste?

Composting is a natural process in which organic waste (such as food scraps, leaves, and branches) decomposes and turns into fertilizer. This process reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills and adds nutrients to the soil.

What foods generate the most pollution in their production?

The foods that cause the most pollution are animal-based products, especially red meat (such as beef and lamb), due to the large amount of resources (water, food, land) required and the production of methane. Additionally, highly processed foods and products that require large amounts of pesticides also have a significant environmental impact.

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The causes of environmental impact include deforestation, pollution of natural resources, burning of fossil fuels, pesticide use, and improper waste management, while the effects include climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss, ocean acidification, disease, and water scarcity. These terms, translated in English as "causes" and "effects," respectively, are fundamental concepts for understanding global environmental issues.Main causes:

Industrial activity and urbanization:

The growth of cities and industries generates air, water, and soil pollution.

Deforestation:

Massive forest clearing for agriculture, livestock, or urban expansion reduces biodiversity and worsens erosion.

Overexploitation of natural resources:

Excessive consumption of water, minerals, and fuels can deplete these resources, affecting ecosystems.

Andrés torres, Santiago cruz,Nicol Rodríguez,Kevin cortes, Thomas Villarreal y Rachel parra

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🟢 Basic Level

What type of waste is generated when peeling a fruit?

What is organic waste?

What can be done with eggshells?

What type of packaging is used to package cookies?

What does "recyclable" mean?

🟡 Intermediate Level

What waste is generated in a food factory?

Why do supermarkets throw away food?

What impact does plastic packaging have on the environment?

What is composting and how does it help reduce waste?

Which foods generate the most waste during their production?

🔴 Advanced Level

Explain how intensive food farming can generate toxic waste.

What is the relationship between food waste and climate change?

How does the food industry affect ecosystems?

What public policies could reduce food waste?

Design a campaign to reduce the waste generated by fast food consumption.