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No. But most of us should eat less animal protein. Livestock production is a major cause of climate change and in most parts of the world, people already consume more animal-sourced food than is healthy. But even small dietary shifts can have a positive impact. The average person consumes 100 grams of meat daily. Reducing that by 10 grams could improve human health while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Is sustainable agriculture possible in developing countries?
Yes. Because sustainably produced food is typically more labour-intensive than conventionally made food, it has the potential to create 30 per cent more jobs. And because it can command higher prices, it can also generate more money for farmers.
Is it possible to make sustainably produced food that is affordable for everyone?
Yes. As demand for certain foods increases, the costs associated with production, processing, distribution and marketing will drop, which should make them less expensive for consumers. Policymakers can also play a role, facilitating market access and leveling the financial and regulatory playing field.
If it is so important, why hasn't sustainable farming been adopted as a global standard?
There is a lack of understanding of the way that agriculture, the environment and human health intersect. Policymakers do not typically consider nature as a form of capital, so legislation is not designed to prevent pollution and other kinds of environmental degradation. And consumers may not realize how their dietary choices affect the environment or even their own health. In the absence of either legal obligations or consumer demand, there is little incentive for producers to change their approach.
What are some ways to consume food more sustainably?
Diversify your diet and cook more meals at home. Eat more plant-based foods; enjoy pulses, peas, beans and chickpeas as sources of protein. Eat local, seasonal foods. Purchase sustainably produced foods and learn more about farming practices and labeling. Avoid excessive packaging, which is likely to end up as landfill. Don't waste food: eliminating food waste could reduce global carbon emissions by 8-10 per cent. Cultivate your own garden, even if it is a small one in your kitchen. Support organizations, policies and projects that promote sustainable food systems. And discuss the importance of healthy and sustainable foods with producers, vendors, policymakers, friends and family.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports a transition toward global food systems that provide net-positive impacts on nutrition, the environment and farmer livelihoods. Contributing to the UNEP is also the custodian of the food waste element of Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which commits member states to halve their per capita food waste at the consumer retail level. Developing the Food Waste Index, UNEP is currently conducting global modelling of food waste data and preparing a harmonized methodology that will enable countries to track progress towards Goal 12.3. One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme, UNEP has led the development of a for collaborative policymaking and improved governance.
For more information, contact Clementine O'Connor at: clementine.oconnor@un.org.

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A beginner's guide to sustainable farming

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No. But most of us should eat less animal protein. Livestock production is a major cause of climate change and in most parts of the world, people already consume more animal-sourced food than is healthy. But even small dietary shifts can have a positive impact. The average person consumes 100 grams of meat daily.

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The Importance of Sustainable Agriculture

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Sustainable agricultural allows for the desires of society’s food and textile needs to be met without the fear of inhibiting the earth’s natural resources for future generations.

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Sustainable agriculture serves as a much-needed alternative to the industrial farming practices that have been employed in the United States for decades. These methods, which include repeatedly planting the same crop on one plot of land and encouraging growth through the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers, have long been seen as the only way to meet the growing demand for food in the United States while also being profitable for farmers. Sustainable agriculture provides proof that agriculture can remain worthwhile to the farmer while causing no harm to the natural world and its inhabitants, and in some cases even benefiting them.

What Is Sustainable Agriculture?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, sustainable agriculture is intended to protect the environment, maintain soil fertility, and even expand the natural resource base of the earth. The three main goals of sustainable agriculture are economic profitability for farmers; the promotion of environmental stewardship; and an increase in welfare for farmers, their communities, and their animals while producing enough to meet the needs of humans.

Why Is Sustainable Agriculture So Important?

Sustainable agricultural methods provide the means by which humans can meet our needs without harming the environment. This is important not only for us and our continued enjoyment of nature and natural resources but also for the animals with which we share our space. Sustainable agriculture does not support the housing of animals in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that house upwards of 1000 animals in tight quarters, due to the detrimental impacts that these operations can have on the environment and public health. By moving toward more sustainable agriculture the welfare of both humans and animals can be improved.

What Is Alternative Agriculture?

Alternative agriculture, a subset of sustainable agriculture, consists of several different methods including organic agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and permaculture. These farming techniques share the core purpose of reducing, and eventually eliminating, the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Like sustainable agriculture, these methods aim to be more environmentally responsible than industrial farming.

Organic Agriculture

For food to be considered organic, no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers can be used in its production. Farmers must abide by the standards set forth by the National Organic Program of the USDA, which regulates the pesticides and fertilizers that can be used. With pesticides being one of the leading causes of death for wild pollinators such as bees, organic farming practices provide an alternative practice.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture focuses on reversing the degradation of farmland and soil, partly as a means of lessening climate change. The methods used also work to restore the biodiversity of soil, in recognition that soil is the most biologically diverse part of the earth.

Permaculture

Permaculture is a system in which all the parts, including people, animals, natural resources, the land, and the wider environment can coexist permanently. It is modeled after the natural world's ability to thrive via no-waste systems and can be used in urban, suburban, or rural settings.

Sustainable Agriculture Versus Industrial Agriculture

Industrial agriculture has dominated food production in the United States since the industrial revolution. It is characterized by large tracts of land planted with one crop, extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, animals being held in CAFOs, and an emphasis on a select few crops that are used for animal feed and the production of processed foods.

The Impacts of Industrial Agriculture

Industrial agriculture has far-reaching consequences relating not only to the environment and animal welfare but also to community welfare.

Environmental Impacts

Industrial agriculture is a driving force behind water pollution, soil degradation, and air pollution. The animals housed in CAFOs produce tons of manure every year which is either stored or applied to fields as a fertilizer. This manure is exceptionally high in phosphorus which seeps into the groundwater.

Once this phosphorus makes its way to the sea, it encourages the overgrowth of algae that can release toxins that are dangerous for animals, people, and the ecosystem overall. This algal overgrowth reduces the oxygen in the water and causes the death of fish and marine life. One such algal bloom in Florida, which lasted from 2017 to 2018, resulted in the death of thousands of marine animals including sea turtles, fish, manatees, birds, and dolphins.

In addition to its impacts on water quality and safety, the manure produced from industrial animal rearing is one of the primary contributors to air pollution. As the manure breaks down it releases several toxins including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and particulate matter. These substances are released into the air and, when breathed in, can cause severe illnesses including chronic bronchitis and chronic lung disease, and even death.

Beyond these obvious dangers to public health, manure also drives climate change, and its management is listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a leading source of emissions of methane, which is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.

Public Health

Due to subsidies provided by the U.S. government, the crops grown on industrial farms are primarily corn, soy, wheat, and cotton. Subsidized crops can be found on the label of virtually every processed food, and contribute to the continued dominance of junk foods in the United States that cause obesity and poor health.

Antibiotics are given to animals on CAFOs as part of preventive healthcare because the close quarters they have kept in increase the likelihood of illness. The use of antibiotics in animal feed has been linked to an increase in antibiotic resistance in microbes and consequently a reduction in the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating sick people. This is because the antibiotics given to animals are extremely similar to those used to treat humans.

The Myth of Efficiency

The primary argument in favor of industrial agriculture is that it is more efficient than sustainable methods of production. Yet there are reasons to think this is not true. A 2007 study found that levels of global food production could be maintained on the same amount of land using organic methods.

Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture

Animal Welfare

Wildlife: Cultivating food without the use of fertilizers and pesticides reduces the number of pollinators being killed by these chemicals. Less manure makes its way into the water system, reducing the impact on marine life.

Antibiotic Use: Antibiotic use is limited to the treatment of illness. Farmed animals are not given unnecessary antibiotics, and farmers are more likely to give them additional space in order to reduce disease transmission.

Environment

Pesticides and Fertilizers: The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers is limited. Less of these dangerous chemicals are introduced into the environment.

Soil Biodiversity: Sustainable methods of agriculture help to restore the nutrients to the soil that are stripped by industrial agriculture practices.

Reduced Demand for Non-renewable Energy: Farms that use sustainable practices use renewable energy sources as part of the core goal of producing products more sustainably.

Local Economies and Workers

Improved Work Environment: Better welfare for animals means better welfare for workers, including a safer, less strenuous work environment.

Localization: Sustainable methods of production are more likely to support and rely on the local economy. Farms are no longer purchasing products, such as fertilizers and pesticides, from outside their communities, and instead are relying more heavily on local resources such as labor.

Public Health

Antibiotic Resistance: Because antibiotics are not used for preventive medicine in sustainable agriculture, implementing sustainable methods of production increases the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating people.

Pandemics: Industrial agriculture, in which animals are kept in tight quarters, is a driver of disease. The conditions of animals on these farms provide the ideal environment for the spread of disease from animals to people.

What Makes Agriculture Sustainable?

There are a number of agriculture practices that can be implemented to support the sustainable production of food.

Adopting Agroforestry Practices

Agroforestry is the practice of integrating trees into fields used for crop production or livestock. The benefits of agroforestry include controlling erosion, providing shade and protection from the wind, and supporting local wildlife.

Applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM is a collection of tactics for pest control that rejects the use of chemical pesticides, instead focusing on natural methods of control and prevention. Examples include planting crops that are adapted to the area, or the introduction of natural predators to control parasites.

Integrating Livestock and Crops

Using the same land to raise livestock and crops reduces the need for fertilizers, as the manure from the cattle provides nutrients to the plants. This practice also helps control soil erosion and has no impact on crop yield.

Managing Whole Systems and Landscapes

Taking a whole-farm system approach to agriculture balances natural resources, agricultural pursuits, profit, and public responsibility. Whole-farm methods support the quality of soil and water as well as local wildlife.

Planting Cover Crops

Cover crops are crops that are planted to increase the quality of soil, smother weeds, enhance water availability, help to control pests, and slow erosion. They are planted in rotation with other crops and provide a much-needed break to land that can lead to increased yield and the attraction of additional pollinators.

Reducing Tillage

Tillage is the practice of upsetting soil in preparation for planting. It can be done by stirring, digging, or overturning the soil. Reducing tillage decreases soil erosion, improves water quality, and increases soil health.

Rotating Crops and Increasing Diversity

Rotating what is planted in a field with a diverse array of crops boosts the biodiversity of soil which benefits soil health and productivity.

Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Policy

Periodically, Congress passes the Farm Bill, which is the primary source of policy related to farming. Though the Farm Bill provides a mix of support for industrial and sustainable farmers, more funding is provided to support industrial methods through subsidies of certain products, notably wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, dairy, and cotton. These subsidies amount to $20 billion a year and lead to a lack of diversity in planting as well as the use of vast plots of land for the sole purpose of growing these crops.

The Farm Bill also provides for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program which provide financial and technical assistance to farms that use sustainable methods that encourage improved water, air, and soil quality. The total budget for these programs is less than $5 billion.

What Are the Current Greatest Threats to Agricultural Sustainability?

Public Policy: One of the greatest threats to the viability of sustainable agriculture is the subsidies provided to farms that use industrial practices to grow massive amounts of a single crop. These subsidies encourage farms to continue using industrial practices with little regard to the impacts on public health, the ecosystem, or animal welfare.

Demand: Another primary threat to agricultural sustainability is the demand for industrially grown crops. These crops are those that tend to be found in grocery stores and are shipped across states or even countries to be easily accessible.

How You Can Help

One of the most impactful things that you can do to support sustainable agriculture is to shop locally. Farms that are locally owned and operated tend to use more sustainable methods. Instead of purchasing produce from a chain grocery store, visit a farmer's market or stand. By choosing to shop locally, you are helping to increase demand for sustainably grown products and supporting the farmers that use these methods so that they can continue production.

Towards a Sustainable Future

The persistence of industrial methods of agriculture is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment. Sustainable methods of production provide a necessary alternative that is more responsible economically, environmentally, and ethically, and is better for animals, people, and the planet.

The Promises and Pitfalls of Regenerative Agriculture Cultivated Meat Could Radically Transform Animal Agriculture: Interview With Investor and Author Jim Mellon Animal Agriculture and Its Negative Impact on Climate Change

Grace Hussain

Grace is an avid writer and advocate with a passion for exploring animal rights from a social justice lens. She brings almost a decade of varied experience within the animal rights movement to her work as staff writer at Sentient Media.

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What Is Sustainable Agriculture and Why Is It So Important?

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Sustainable agriculture serves as a much-needed alternative to the industrial farming practices that have been employed in the United States for decades. These methods, which include repeatedly planting the same crop on one plot of land and encouraging growth through the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers, have long been seen as the only way to meet the growing demand for food in the United States while also being profitable for farmers.

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Drawbacks of Sustainable Agriculture - What Are Some of the Disadvantages of Sustainable Farming? - Studocu

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Drawbacks of Sustainable Agriculture what are some of the disadvantages of sustainable farming? these are the downsides of sustainable farming that kept many

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Pros & Cons of Hydroponic Farming | Earth.Org

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Nowadays, food growing techniques depend heavily on pesticides and chemicals, which negatively impact the water and soil. Water and soil pollution, along with large-scale depletion of the topsoil , all speed up climate change. Phenomena related to it are affecting the ability of the land to grow crops, leading to worldwide food shortages.

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I understood the pros and cons of sustainable agriculture. Now i know how to grow sustainable agriculture as a beginner. I started growing tomatoes, green chilli, and curry leaves per guide. I now know the important of sustainable agriculture.

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Stemming in the Greek words “hydro” (water) and “ponos” (labour), hydroponics means “water working”.

The term essentially refers to a method of growing crops without soil. This may sound counterintuitive since plants derive essential nutrients for their growth from the soil, without which they could possibly die. Hydroponic plants, however, get all the required nutrients from a water solution medium, hence the presence of soil becomes unnecessary to its survival.

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1. Producing High-Quality Food for Higher Population

2. Reduced Water Consumption

3. Reduced Rate of Pest And Fungus

4. Improved Yield

5. Optimal Use of Area/Regional Diversity

6. Time Saving System

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1. High Set-Up Cost

2. Reliance On Constant Power Supply/System

3. High-Level Maintenance & Monitoring

4. Susceptibility to Waterborne Diseases

5. Requires Special Expertise

6. Debatable Nature of Organic Labels

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I understood that hydroponic farming is an effective method of growing plants indoors, and has its own benefits in various ways. It helps growers produce nutrient-rich plants much faster without the use of pesticides.

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I understood that permaculture is a system in which all the parts, including people, animals, natural resources, the land, and the wider environment can coexist permanently. It is modeled after the natural world’s ability to thrive via no-waste systems and can be used in urban, suburban, or rural settings.

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I know that agroforestry is the practice of integrating trees into fields used for crop production or livestock. The benefits of agroforestry include controlling erosion, providing shade and protection from the wind, and supporting local wildlife.

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I started planting tomatoes, green chillies, and curry leaves. I water them regularly. Then i put them under the sunlight. I put some composed waste which i made with dry leaves, vegetable waste then dry waste, veggies waste, and dry waste