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Category: Environment & Sustainability

  • Organic Farming Pros And Cons

    Organic Farming Pros And Cons

    What is Organic Farming?

    Organic agriculture uses agricultural production systems based on green manure, compost, biological pest control, and crop rotation to produce crops, livestock and poultry. An ecologically-oriented agricultural production system promotes the cycling of resources to maintain biodiversity and promote ecological balance. The use of green cover crops, animal manures and crop rotation to disrupt the establishment of pests and diseases, improve soil fertility, and maximise the soil’s biological activity are the main aspects of organic farming.

    Organic farming is based on the ecosystem’s on-farm management, using practices that improve soil health and avoid external yields. Organic practices are based on:
    the art and science of plant breeding for maximum resilience without the use of genetic modification
    careful pest control without the use of chemical pesticides the use of natural fertilisers, without the use of synthetic fertilisers.

    “The organic no-till revolution will be a game-changer for flower growers and many other gardeners, big and small. The entertaining style, combined with practical and proven techniques, makes the no-till methods described in each case study very accessible and understandable. The book emphasises the many environmental and economic benefits of no-till and the fact that you don’t need expensive equipment to farm intensively, organically and profitably on a small scale.

    There is little doubt that the proponents of organic farming have made people fearful of the dangers of pesticide residues and genetically modified crops. Their advertising has paid off, and farmers have been motivated to go organic by the higher profits. A few conventional farmers have even resorted to illegally labelling their products as organic. Attempts to develop a test to identify organically grown crops have so far failed. This is not surprising, as there are unlikely to be any fundamental differences between plants supplied with manure and those supplied with nutrients from fertilisers.

    Pros of Organic Farming

    What will it take to feed the additional two billion people who will emerge in a century or so? The planet is showing signs of limited land resources due to degradation from vast agriculture. According to a National Geographic News scientist (2005), food production already takes up almost half of the Earth’s land area and threatens to consume the remaining fertile land. In finding a solution to the problem, we must first understand the benefits and consequences of today’s farming methods, namely modern industrial agriculture and organic agriculture.

    organic farming

    Organic farming absolutely does not allow the use of synthetic chemical fertilisers, antibiotics, herbicides or pesticides. The goal of organic farming is the agricultural production of fibre, grains, vegetables, flowers, fruits, food and milk, eggs and meat in the best natural way. Unlike other practices, organic farming performs better in protecting water and soil, maintaining ecological balance and using renewable resources. On the other hand, it also has its downsides. Here are the pros and cons of organic farming.

    If you are interested in organic farming, I am sure that you always ask yourself the importance of organic farming or the necessity of organic farming or the future perspective of organic farming. On this point, I can help you. With the increase in population, there is a need to meet the demand for food acquired by growers and farmers with a lot of use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural production for the larger amount of production. In the process, soil, air, water and nature are polluted, leading to toxic food.

    Organic agriculture occupies only 1% of the world’s agricultural land, making it a relatively untapped resource for one of humanity’s greatest challenges: producing enough food for a population that could reach 10 billion by 2050 without extensive deforestation and damage the wider environment. This is the conclusion my PhD student Jonathan Wachter, and I came to after evaluating many years of science and many hundreds of scientific studies comparing the long-term prospects of organic and conventional agriculture. A study, “Organic agriculture in the 21st century”, published in the journal Nature Plants, is the first to compare organic and conventional agriculture using the four main sustainability criteria established by the National Academy of Sciences: being productive, economically profitable, environmentally sound and socially just.

     

    Cons of Organic Farming

    Organic farming is not without its caveats. A study by CNN reports that yields of organic crops tend to be lower than those of conventionally grown crops – 25 per cent lower, according to some studies. Of course, this depends on the time of year and the crop, but there’s no denying that the considerations made to grow crops organically certainly slow the process down a bit. Also, the production methods involved in growing organic products tend to make the price a little higher than conventionally grown food.

    Organic products are a big growth area for consumer demand. Organic food was once thought to preserve the wealthy or eco-eccentrics, but it has now become mainstream, and many people from all walks of life desire to buy organic food. Organic farming avoids using artificial fertilisers and pesticides instead of relying on more traditional fertilisation and pest control methods, such as crop rotation, barrier nets, and natural pest control.

    The organic agriculture sector has experienced remarkable growth over the past two decades, with sales of organic food and beverages increasing from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010, with average annual growth rates ranging from 12% to 21% (OTA, 2011). In 2005, for the first time, all 50 states officially registered the existence of certified organic farms with a total area of over 4 million acres (USDA-ers, 2008). However, in recent years, with nearly 70% of US consumers now buying organic products (Hartman Group, 2008), organic farmers have been overwhelmed by this rapid growth in their markets. They have not been able to keep up the pace of expansion with their agricultural production increase (Dimitri and Oberholtzer, 2009).

    The growing population in Florida is stimulating development throughout the state, affecting natural resources and contributing to environmental degradation. Organic agriculture could help reduce environmental pressure on Florida’s ecosystems by encouraging natural food production. Restricting pesticides and herbicides promotes diverse populations of plants, insects and other animals (McIlwain 2004). Organic production uses far less energy and produces minimal waste compared to conventional agriculture. A Washington State University study found that energy use for machinery, labour and production control in growing organic apples is 7% more energy-efficient than conventional apple production (McIlwain 2004).

    What is Organic Farming? What is the Need and Key Features of Organic Farming

    Organic farming does not damage the soil or promote the process of desertification—this low input and restorative process help preserve the land for future generations. Sustainability is the key!
    Disadvantages of organic farming.

    Organic Farming Magazine is the UK’s leading magazine on organic farming and cultivation. Is published up to three times a year by the Soil Association, and each issue updates readers on the latest news, policy issues and market information. There are technical articles and reports on the latest field trials and research, covering all aspects of organic farming and cultivation. Typical contents are
    – Articles on livestock, horticulture and general agricultural topics.

    Organic pest control is the key to organic farming. It does not use chemical pesticides, hence the name ‘organic pest control. ‘. It ensures that no chemicals are used in the process of farming. Organic pest control also helps to maintain the integrity of the soil. When done properly, natural pest control can maintain a healthy crop for generations to come. So, how does it work?

    Organic fruit is a sought-after item at farmers’ markets as people become more health-conscious. Having a suitable space to establish and maintain such an orchard is also necessary. This book contains important information on designing the ultimate planting strategy and connecting with nature. It also provides information on sustainable farming practices in conjunction with advanced techniques such as grafting different varieties. Besides, the book provides you with the most suitable trees to grow and the species to avoid and facts about biodiversity and pollination practices that support organic farming.

    carrots in a basket

    What is Organic Farming – Definition, Features, Benefits & Principles

    The disadvantage of modern agriculture is that pesticides can become toxic to plants, animals and the environment itself if not used properly. As it brings several advantages, it also has certain disadvantages. In the United States, 44% of agricultural imports are fruits, vegetables, wine, hops and other specialities. So much so that there is a temptation to claim ownership of other people and have them farm the land on your behalf, which is the kind of less than ideal social order that tends to be associated with farming communities.

    How Supporting Organic Farming Benefits You and The Planet

    Organic farming is good for the soil, and for the plants, for the planet, good for the animals, good for your fellow man and good for you. More specifically, as explained by foam organics international, organic farming benefits.

    Either way, organic food is much more expensive than non-organic food. It can also lower your risk of being exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The items can be prepared and frozen without dramatically decreasing the nutrient density of the item. It can also reduce your risk of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 11. organic foods may not be the most pocket-friendly. They have the disadvantage of being kept in a small container and not filling you up. Conventional growers of course use pesticides to protect their crops from mould, insects and disease.

    Unfortunately, there is only about 1% of organic farming in the world right now. This is, as you have probably guessed, a minimal number. This is a big problem that we must all try to solve. If not just for better food quality, then to save our land and our planet, organic farming has many benefits, such as preserving the soil’s organic composition. There is also the constant destruction of the ozone layer by pesticides, exhaust fumes from various tractors, industry and much more, which organic farming mostly avoids.

    Organic milk is one such example. There is never an excuse for soy milk. Some lactose-intolerant people drink it because they want a milk substitute. Organic food can taste better for some people. Cows take nine months to give birth to a calf and take care of it for seven months to a year. Some products say they are made with organic ingredients. The USDA requires that 70% of the ingredients in this item come from an organic source. These additives in the food supply have been linked to infertility problems, numerous cancers, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine disorders and autoimmune problems.

    The Soil Association defines organic as:

    Synthetic fertilisers run off into our waterways and damage habitat and water quality. Organic fertilisers do not run off as easily (if at all) and are linked to the soil structure. According to the Organic Trade Association, an organic fertiliser will also increase biodiversity by 30% compared to synthetic fertiliser.

    The organic farming digest (1946-1954) was the very first organic farming magazine published by an agricultural association. The magazine was based in Sydney. Was published quarterly. pretty much half of the articles published were by Australian authors, the others by authors from the rest of the world. The Organic Farming Digest was published by the Australian Organic Farming and Gardening Society. It was also adopted and distributed as the official publication of the Living Soil Association of Tasmania. The last issue of the Digest was Volume 3, Number 5, dated December 1954.

    The USDA Organic Agriculture Study Team defines the term as “a production system that avoids or largely eliminates the use of synthetically compounded fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and feed additives. “Instead, it relies largely on materials and techniques such as crop rotation, biological pest control, animal manures, crop residues and mechanical tillage to promote soil productivity and control insects. Basically, instead of dominating or controlling nature through artificial means, organic farmers try to cooperate with their environment using natural methods and products. As an example, instead of using chemical pesticides to minimise insects’ losses, organic farmers try to develop biodiversity in the field to make it uninhabitable for pest organisms.

    The US Department of Agriculture defines organic farming as an agriculture system that creates a production system that responds to site-specific conditions and integrates cultural, biological and mechanical practices that promote the cycling of resources, support ecological balance and maintain biodiversity. This is a long way of saying that organic agriculture uses natural practices instead of synthetic ones to grow healthy crops, using resources that create healthy soils.

    Better soil conservation and management

    Achieving a friendly and green environment has always been a major concern worldwide, and research shows that organic agriculture can provide a partial solution. Long-term studies on organic farming show that it can provide a formidable mechanism for promoting ecological harmony, biodiversity and biological cycles critical for environmental sustainability. Organic farming’s definitive goals are based on managing and conserving the soil, promoting nutrient cycling, ecological balance, and maintaining biodiversity. On this basis, the practices wonderfully help mitigate the effects of global climate change and contribute to environmental conservation.

    As mentioned earlier in this chapter, pest control in organic farming depends mainly on crop management and biological control. The ban on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides leads to conserving natural enemies, including predators and parasitoids. Eliminating harmful pesticides also increases the diversity of crop pollinators and minimises pesticide residues in food. The community of microorganisms thrives well on organically managed farms, leading to increased organic matter decomposition, higher soil fertility and greater ecosystem sustainability. Organic farming improves the ecosystem’s biodiversity through multiple cropping and the cultivation of hedgerows and refuges for beneficial insects and wildlife.

    Existing research may downplay the environmental benefits of organic farming, new study claims

    1 January,
    2021
    GMOs can hurt local biodiversity. The next benefit of industrial agriculture is that modern consumers have access to a broader palate and a more balanced diet. Genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, have changed so much of our modern agriculture in recent decades. And while those involved in agriculture probably know all about the differences between GMO crops, non-GMO crops, and organic crops, the GMO crops’ issue is quite controversial among consumers.

    Organic products are extremely expensive

    Organic food is almost always a lot more expensive than conventional food or commercially grown produce. The market for organic food is also not as defined as for other crops. This can make it difficult for speciality farmers to compete with their own products. To counter this problem, many communities are developing food co-operatives with local farmers and markets. Customers can “prepay” for organic food for a small fee, which they can pick up when the growing season is over.

    There is no doubt that natural products are more expensive for the consumer. Even a price comparison for typical products shows that organic products are 50-300% more expensive. Also, organic farming is more labour intensive than conventional farming. However, the price difference is also that natural products have a much higher return on investment for the retailer and farmer. Consumers also are happy to pay more for organically grown products, and the supply is quite limited.

    Organic food has a shorter shelf life compared to conventional food. However, for the average farmer, producing crops for the market means a greater physical burden. Conventional farming methods focus on the growth of a specific crop. Organic farming must also reduce off-farm inputs and external inputs that can affect the growing process. Organic farming is environmentally friendly. The disadvantages of organic farming. Maintaining consistently the quality of the soil and the ecological balance in the environment.

    “kusto agro” develop organic farming in its fields and annually increases the area under cultivation and the diversity of such crops. In the material, we will tell you why we have chosen to do this. In Europe, organic products are popular and in-demand among consumers, even though they are more expensive. This is a profitable business, as the world market for organic products grows by 10-15% a year. However, to be able to sell these products abroad, appropriate certification is necessary. Besides the benefits, organic farming has several advantages – we have identified the most important 5 of them.

    agriculture-farmland

    Key Pros & Cons Of Organic Farming

    Written by behind the plough | Feb 13, 2019, | Agricultural resources, Organic farming The debate about conventional vs organic farming has always been a hot topic. The truth is that there doesn’t really need to be a debate. Ultimately, both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Likewise, each farmer is up to decide which methods he wants to use on his farm.

    Organic food has a shorter shelf life compared to conventional food. However, for the average farmer, producing crops for the market means a greater physical burden. Conventional farming methods focus on the growth of a specific crop. Organic farming must also reduce off-farm inputs and external inputs that can affect the growing process. Organic farming is environmentally friendly. The disadvantages of organic farming. Maintain the quality of the soil and the ecological balance in the environment. Advantages and disadvantages of organic farming. Organic farming is not able to meet the world’s food needs for survival.

    The management of weeds, insect pests and plant diseases in organic production requires a systems approach to management. A systems approach means using various tools to address a problem rather than relying on just one approach, such as spraying. The systems approach is known as integrated pest management (ipm). Used alone, approved organic pesticides are rarely ever as effective as the synthetic pesticides available to conventional farmers; however, an ipm approach increases the effectiveness of organic pesticides and can also dramatically reduce the overall use. Ipm is nothing new, as integrated strategies have been used for centuries without having a catchy name.

    The very basic principle of organic farming is to support the general idea that soil, plants, animals and humans are interconnected. The role of organic farming in agricultural practice is to maintain and improve the health of the soil and the environment, starting with the smallest organisms in the soil and working their way up the food chain. It must manage and balance natural and ecological resources for production and consumption in all fairness to people and all living things in their natural behaviour and well-being. Precaution, care and responsibility are the main concerns to ensure a healthy, safe and ecologically sound ecological economy for future generations.

    Organic agriculture is based on the fact that farming is done without synthetic agricultural chemicals, including but not limited to fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or insecticides. Genetically modified crops are also not used. Organic farming is agriculture that has been used on and off for centuries. Demand for organic farming is on the rise again. Many people learn about the health benefits of chemical-free organic food and the negative effects these agricultural chemicals can have on humans and animals.

    Our agricultural food system’s unintended consequences – polluted air and water, dead zones in coastal seas, soil erosion – have profound impacts on human health and the environment. That is why more sustainable agricultural practices are needed as soon as possible. Some farmers have turned to less chemical-intensive techniques to reduce the negative impacts of farming, like organic farming, which has been shown to score better than conventional farming on many environmental sustainability standards. The all-important question is whether we can meet these environmental standards and at the same time satisfy the demand for food, which is projected to increase significantly over the next 50 years.

    Organic and conventional food are different from each other. Below are some of the differences between organic and conventional food. The main difference between organic and conventional food is the method used to grow food on the farm. In conventional food growing, farmers use chemicals in the production and the processing of produce. The chemicals have a devastating effect on the environment and human health. The fact is that pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and other types of chemicals are used in growing food. They may well be safe for consumption, as there is no known cases for anyone getting sick from eating conventional food.

    The use of organic farming results in the production of food that is higher in nutrients than products produced using conventional methods. Products such as organically grown vegetables and fruits are also very fresh to eat! The flavours and tastes of organically grown produce are also much better and more natural.

    The Article Organic Farming Pros And Cons was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • Effect Of Marine Life from Our Waste

    Effect Of Marine Life from Our Waste

    How do oil spills affect the environment?

    Marine pollution today comes in various forms – chemical, industrial and agricultural – and pollution sources are endless. In recent history, we have seen many oil spills, untreated sewage, eutrophication, invasive species, heavy metals, acidification, radioactive substances, marine litter and overfishing, among others. Although marine pollution has long been an issue, it has only recently exploded into environmental, economic and policy debate advisers. Scientists and non-scientists alike continue to be very shocked and dismayed by the sheer variety of water pollutants and the many ways in which they can harm our environment and our bodies.

    Monitoring of chemical and plastic pollution in the oceans has been going on for decades. One approach is to measure the discharges directly.
    One approach is to directly measure discharges of pollutants such as plastic waste into the oceans from land-based sources and tabulate the number and frequency of discharge events such as oil spills. From the auspices of the Horizon 2020 initiative for a cleaner Mediterranean, the European Environment Agency and UNEP-map defined.

    Marine pollution has been studied by the following impact groups: harm to living resources, a risk to human health, reduction of amenity and harm to other sea users. This paper is mainly concerned with the first two categories and their interrelationship. Apart from some seabirds affected by oil, marine animals’ main stocks show no evidence of reduction due to pollution. Pollution effects are generally insignificant relative to other factors determining reproductive success, survival, growth and population size. Even in the North Sea, which has experienced greatly increased pollution loads over the past three decades, both total fish production and catches per unit effort (a measure of abundance) of cod, haddock and plaice increased over the 20 years 1950-69.

    Marine mining in the deep sea is another source of marine pollution. Marine mines drilling for silver, gold, copper, cobalt and zinc create sulphide deposits up to three and a half thousand metres deep in the sea. Although we have not yet gathered scientific evidence to explain the harsh environmental impacts of deep-sea mining fully, we have a general idea that deep-sea mining causes damage to the lowest levels of the ocean and increases the region’s toxicity. This permanent damage also causes leaks, corrosion and oil spills that only further drastically affect the region’s ecosystem.

    our waste effects on marine life

    Are oil spills toxic to humans?

    But it is not only oil spills that pollute our oceans. The other main causes of ocean pollution are:

    Discharges and runoff: We dump millions of pounds of untreated sewage, rubbish and toxic waste into our rivers. But industrial and agricultural waste and pollution from mining and simple urban runoff from roads and highways also enter our fresh waterways. These rivers, streams, and sewage eventually end up in the ocean, full of pollutants and hazardous waste.

    Pollution from ships is a huge source of ocean pollution, the most devastating of which is oil pollution. Crude oil remains in the ocean for years and is extremely toxic to marine life, often suffocating when caught in it. Crude oil is also unfortunately complicated to clean up, which means that once it is separated, it usually stays forever.

    The main negative effects of oil on marsh vegetation depend on the type of oil (constituents, viscosity), the amount of oil, the amount of plant cover, the depth of penetration of the oil into marsh sediments, the time of year, and the nature and effectiveness of any clean-up or remedial measures (discussed by Webb, 1996; pezeshki et al., 2000) ( Table 5-3 ). Lighter and more refined oils, such as No. 2 fuel oil, are extremely toxic to smooth cotton grass (Spartina alterniflora). Crude oils and heavy fuel oils generally have the same effects on plants, i.e.

    Marine Pollution: Sources, Fate and Effects of Pollutants in Coastal Ecosystems summarises the theoretical background on common and emerging marine pollutants and their effects on organisms (ecotoxicology).

    Ultimate Secrets To Saltwater Fish And Invertebrates

     

    Effects of Ocean and Coastal Acidification on Ecosystems

    Take a moment to consider the diversity of life in the sea. Marine life is of course very diverse, and increased acidity can harm or help individual plant and animal species in many different ways. It may well not be obvious to us at first glance, but some organisms are likely to be more abundant, others less so. For example, seagrasses may grow faster when more dissolved carbon dioxide is available, while oysters may decrease in number as fewer larvae complete their life cycle due to increased acidity. In this way, scientists expect ocean and coastal acidification to affect entire ecosystems.

    Pollution from a variety of sources is badly choking our oceans. An estimated 80 percent of marine pollution originates on land. Growing populations in coastal regions increase the pollution pressure on coastal and marine ecosystems. Nutrient pollution elements come from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff and sewage discharges. It overloads the marine environment with high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that can lead to large algal blooms. The decomposition of these algae after they die consumes oxygen. This leads to hypoxic or oxygen-depleted “dead zones” where fish and other marine life cannot thrive.

    The ocean makes up 71% of our planet. It provides many services to human communities, from mitigating weather extremes to produce everything including the oxygen we breathe daily, from producing the food we eat to storing the excess carbon dioxide we also generate. the effects of increasing greenhouse gas emissions seriously threaten coastal and marine ecosystems through changes in ocean temperature and constantly melting ice, affecting ocean currents, weather patterns, and sea levels. As the ocean’s capacity as a carbon sink has been exceeded, its chemistry is also changing due to our carbon emissions.

    Plastic pollution is recognized as a serious anthropogenic problem in coastal and marine ecosystems around the world. The unprecedented and continuous accumulation of growing plastic pollution in respective aquatic ecosystems by anthropogenic sources is directly and/or indirectly disrupting ecosystem structure, functions and consequently services and values. Land-based and ocean-based sources are the primary sources of these contaminants, which enter the ocean in various ways. This review focuses on highlighting different aspects related to plastic pollution in coastal and marine environments. Plastic pollution is distributed in ecosystems in different forms, with different size variations as metaplastic, macroplastics, mesoplastics and microplastics.

    Threats to Marine Environment You Must Know

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has probably been present for millions or billions of years in marine microbial communities due to resistance mechanisms that bacteria have evolved in response to natural threats.
    More recently, the prevalence of Amr has increased in marine environments, particularly in coastal waters.
    This increase seems to reflect the increasing introduction of allochthonous sources from the land.

    The detrimental effects of plastic litter on the marine environment were reviewed by collating much of the literature on the subject. Many marine species are known to be harmed and/or killed by plastic waste, which could threaten their survival, especially as many of them are already threatened by other forms of anthropogenic activities. Marine animals are mostly affected by entanglement in and ingestion of plastic waste. Other lesser-known threats include the use of plastic waste by “invasive” species and the ingestion of polychlorinated biphenyls from ingested plastic.

    There are so many problems and threats caused directly or caused directly or indirectly by marine litter, including environmental, social and economic impacts.
    Economic impacts. These impacts are diverse, usually interconnected and are therefore more difficult to mitigate separately. Nevertheless, our overall understanding of these problems is limited in some areas, particularly the indirect and socio-economic impacts (Mouat et al., 2010). An example of this is the different impacts of ghost fishing that lead to economic losses.

     

    How do oil spills affect society?

    The increasing pollution of the oceans due to anthropogenic activities is harming the sustainability of marine ecosystems. The literature reviewed suggests that airborne and spaceborne sensors provide holistic information for monitoring many of the major marine pollutants. These include oil and chemical spills, sewage, high suspended sediment concentrations, and algal blooms. Solid waste deposited in coastal areas can also be mapped using similar geospatial technology. However, there are some technical limitations to evaluating detailed information on pollutants. These limitations arise from their dynamic nature, limited information on the pollutants’ specific spectral response, substrate response in optically shallow waters, and the complex physics of light interaction through the water column.

    The world has been completely rocked by a series of oil spills, including the Exxon Valdez, the Deepwater Horizon, and the Ixtoc 1. These oil spills have had devastating effects on the marine environment that have lasted for decades. The ss Torrey canyon, one of the first oil spills to attract global attention, caused a huge disaster off the coast of Cornwall, England, in 1967. A massive 25-36 million gallons of crude oil spilled into international waters, affecting hundreds of miles of coastline in the UK and France.

    The Pew Charitable Trusts
    The Deepwater Horizon disaster threatened the ecosystem along the US Gulf Coast. Most of the oil spills have occurred at the ocean surface. This oil spill, which originates on the seabed and rises through the water column, can affect the marine environment at all levels. For more on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, see our article on the Gulf of Mexico.

    In marine oil spills, the first creatures to come into contact with the oil are marine life, including the various species of fish. Apart from the impact on coastal fisheries and fishing, exposure to oil spills can negatively affect the health of marine life. The adverse effects on marine life refer to the accumulation of persistent and bioaccumulative components of the oil in the tissues and bodies of marine organisms (fish) with the potential to cause a variety of health and reproductive problems and mass mortalities in marine organisms in general.

    How do oil spills affect the economy?

    Estuaries are vulnerable to oil exposure in many areas because petrochemical industries are located in the coastal zone. Oil products are transported either by ship or via pipelines that pass either near or through estuaries. Spills or operational discharges can potentially cause damage to intertidal vegetation-rich habitats, including salt marshes and mangroves. These vegetation types may occur individually or in combination. Oil spills are known to cause serious and long-term damage to mangrove and salt marsh ecosystems

    Marine animals can and will become entangled in marine debris or accidentally swallow it. Animals such as seabirds, porpoises, sea turtles, whales and invertebrates can be affected by oil spills and other sea chemicals.

    Oil is at the heart of our modern economy, providing a cheap source of energy and serving as a raw material for the manufacture of plastics. It is a mixture of hydrocarbons and up to 25% non-hydrocarbons such as sulfur, vanadium, and metals. The impacts occur at all stages of oil and gas exploration and exploitation. They result from prospecting activities (including seismic), physical impacts from rig installation, operational discharges at the start of production, accidental and routine spills, and finally, combustion. Nihoul and Durotomy (1994) have estimated the oil input to the North Sea attributable to the offshore industry at 29 % of the total oil input.

    Major Effects of Oil Spills on Marine Ecosystems

    Oil spills continue to pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems, despite the stricter environmental regulations that have been enacted in most countries. The majority of oil spills are small (i.e. less than 7 tonnes). Data on numbers and quantities are incomplete; however, they represent a relatively small proportion of the total oil released into the marine environment through tanker spills. In the period from 1970 to 2009, more than 5.65 million tonnes of oil entered the sea due to tanker spills.

    The risk and consequences of any oil spills are probably the biggest environmental problem associated with offshore oil and gas production. While most oil enters the oceans possibly unseen, massive oil spills highlight the catastrophic impact oil will have on marine wildlife and human communities. In 2180, there was only one major Deepwater blowout, the Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico, which exploded catastrophically in 2010. There haven’t been any major well blowouts in New Zealand, however, the risks could increase as oil and gas activities expand.

    Offshore oil spills can cause major damage to many components of natural ecosystems. Some of the most noticeable effects of oil spills are seen in larger wildlife species such as marine mammals and seabirds. Marine and coastal animals exposed to oil suffer immediate health problems and long-term changes in their physiology and behaviour. In small doses, oil can cause temporary physical damage to animals. These may include skin irritation, changes in the immune system, reproductive or developmental damage and liver disease. When large amounts of oil enter a water body, chronic effects such as cancer become more likely, and wildlife’s direct mortality can be widespread.

    Many of the ecosystems most commonly affected by marine oil spills are accustomed to natural disturbance under normal conditions. For example, shallow coral reefs are among the most dynamic environments, often subject to typhoons and tsunamis’ intense forces. Disturbances of this kind typically create space for new organisms to settle and grow. Over time, natural processes repair the damage caused by such events and return an ecosystem to its former functions, even though it may consist of other individual organisms. Natural restoration processes are also important in cleaning up the effects of oil spills.

    Impact on Marine Animals

    Offshore drilling by oil and gas organizations causes several additional problems. Not only are they a source of noise pollution, but they are also the cause of oil spills, of which there are thousands in the US every year. When oil spills occur, the damage to the water and marine life is devastating. The effects of an oil spill can last for decades. Even clean-up operations remove only a small portion of the oil, and the techniques used often involve even more dangerous chemicals. Chemicals from drilling operations can damage animals’ organs, such as marine mammals, that come into contact with them.

    The following discussion is adapted from information about marine debris on the California Coastal Commission website. Marine debris could also be referred to as “plastic trash” as this more accurately describes the nature of most of the material. Millions of Americans enjoy the nation’s coasts and waterways every day. However, many of these people are unaware of how their daily activities – from driving their cars to not properly disposing of their trash to throwing away a cigarette butt – can impact the plants and animals off our coasts.

    Marine litter negatively impacts all the reef values – its beauty, its rich biodiversity, its extensive natural habitats, its historical heritage and the cultural values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Marine litter kills marine life. It can smother coral, become entangled in wildlife or be swallowed by animals. All sea turtles species, more than half of all known species of marine mammals such as dolphins and whales, and seabirds are negatively affected by marine litter. Plastic waste also has potentially toxic effects on animals, caused by chemicals in the plastic leaching out after consumption.

    The Ocean Conservancy estimates that more than 690 species of marine life are affected by plastic pollution. To reduce the impact of all this waste, some businesses have developed alternatives. Delray Beach Craft Brewery in Florida has developed edible six-pack rings made from wheat and barley left over from the brewing process. It hopes to start production in October.

    The lack of concerted and definitive scientific data/research on this issue is staggering compared to the scale of the problem. It was not until 1997, with the discovery of Captain Charles Moore, that marine plastic pollution was widely addressed in the media and finally received more attention from the public and the scientific world, paving the way for more comprehensive research on plastic and its consequences and impacts when it enters marine life.

    Coastal areas are increasingly impacted by human activities, with marine pollution and climate change among the most important pressures affecting these environments. Human-induced pressures occur cumulatively and produce additive, antagonistic or synergistic effects. Knowledge of synergistic effects is crucial [. ] read more. Coastal areas are increasingly busy and affected by human activities; marine pollution and climate change are among the most important pressures affecting these environments. Human-induced pressures occur cumulatively and produce additive, antagonistic or synergistic effects. Knowledge of synergistic effects is crucial for coastal zone management. They may imply changes in these systems’ human use and specific action plans to reduce hazards and environmental risks.

    The oceans are the largest areas of water on planet Earth. In recent decades, excessive human activities have severely affected life in the Earth’s oceans. Pollution of the oceans, also known as marine pollution, is the spread of many harmful substances such as oil, plastics, industrial and agricultural waste and chemical particles. The oceans are of course home to an enormous variety of marine animals and plants, every citizen’s responsibility is to do their part to keep these oceans clean so that marine life can thrive for a long time to come.

    Ocean pollution is a growing problem in today’s world. Our ocean is inundated with two main types of pollution: chemicals and rubbish. Chemical pollution or nutrient pollution is of concern for health in general, and environmental and economic reasons. This type of pollution occurs from our human activities, particularly the use of fertilisers in agriculture, resulting in the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean. The increased concentration of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, promotes the growth of algal blooms that can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans in the coastal ocean.

    The Article Effect Of Marine Life from Our Waste was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • Environmental Toll Of Plastics In Our Environment

    Environmental Toll Of Plastics In Our Environment

    What is Nestlé doing to tackle plastic packaging waste?

    Environmental Toll Of Plastics In Our Environment: The issue of packaging waste, especially plastic waste, is of particular public interest. However, the packaging is necessary for food safety and quality, protecting food during transport, extending its shelf life, and reducing food waste. This makes food and beverage packaging a unique challenge for Nestlé and our industry. it is necessary to develop solutions that reduce packaging volume and impact without compromising on protection. We envision a future without waste, which means increasing plastic recycling and finding alternatives, whether in the form of dispensing systems or materials.

    Tearfund’s report “the burning question” highlights the ongoing challenges we face as a society in addressing packaging and plastic waste. Nestlé is committed to exploring every option to solve the complex challenges of packaging waste. We are committed to multiple solutions that can already have an impact on our consumers and communities. The vision is that none of our packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills or oceans, lakes, and rivers. To achieve this, we have committed to making 100% of our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

    The ten corporations that produce the most plastic on the planet, The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Mars, Incorporated, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Pepsico, Perfetti van Melle, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever, have formed a well-funded network that has sabotaged government and community efforts to address the plastic pollution crisis for decades, according to a detailed investigative report by the Changing Markets Foundation. The investigation documents how these companies delay and derail legislation to continue to flood consumers with single-use plastic packaging.

     

    Traditionally, their products’ viable recyclability has not necessarily been the priority of brands (something MRF operators often grumble about) but rather cost and appearance. Also, single-use plastics have been driven by consumer preference. Particularly for food packaging, they have several positive environmental benefits, including a potentially lower overall environmental impact when the whole life cycle is considered. But that’s a whole different discussion. Numerous companies have announced targets to reduce plastic waste and packaging or use more recycled material in their products, including Aldi, Starbucks, Walmart and nestlé, to name a few.

    The environmental impact of plastics

    environmental toll of plastics in our environment

    For many, plastic is a modern marvel: versatile, cost-effective to produce, and long-lasting. To others, it is a problem: a ubiquitous, non-degradable pollutant that threatens to choke the global environment. The world consumes more than 100 million tonnes of plastic annually but recycles less than 5 percent of it. The rest – plastic bags, water bottles, disposable lighters, takeaway food packaging, and the like – ends up in the world’s oceans and on its coasts. Plastic waste also clogs sewers and causes deadly floods, suffocates animals, and contaminates fish with toxic chemicals, which can be dangerous for people who eat the fish.

    Redesign, rethink and recycle our packaging.

    Many companies are rethinking the design and lifecycle of their plastic products at the business model level and applying the circular model. Shopping platform Loop, for example, is rethinking food and product packaging. The company is pushing the development and use of reusable, returnable packaging of well-known brands; for example, you can buy Haagen-Dazs ice cream in stainless steel containers and Dove deodorant in glass tubes.

    Why is the plastic used for your packaging?

    plastics rubbish on beachSince the development of plastic at the beginning of this century, it has become a popular material used in many different ways. Today, many of the items we buy or use are made of or wrapped in plastic. Problems arise when we no longer want these items, and we have to dispose of them, especially the disposable plastic used for wrapping or packaging.

    We have pledged $20 million to support the G7 Innovation Competition to address plastic litter in the ocean. It will incentivize the development of innovative social or technological solutions to manage plastics more sustainably throughout their lifecycle. In support of the g7 innovation challenge, we are investing in innovative Canadian technologies to help small companies across the country find new ways to reduce plastic waste and turn it into valuable resources that support a circular economy. So far, seven Challenges have been launched to provide over $10 million to 18 Canadian small and medium-sized businesses.

    The authors said that plastics when produced and used responsibly, can help solve some environmental problems. A study found that packaging beverages in pet (a type of plastic) reduced energy consumption by 52 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent compared to glass or metal. Also, solar water heaters containing plastics can provide up to two-thirds of a household’s annual hot water needs, reducing energy consumption.

    ExxonMobil is developing innovative products that help society reduce plastic waste by meeting consumer performance needs with less material, developing new materials for packaging that are easier to recycle, and enabling customers to increase their recycled content. For example, our vistamaxx™ performance polymers increase our customers’ ability to use recycled materials while improving toughness and tear strength. Our products can be used to make all-polyethylene laminate bags that are easier to recycle and can replace hard-to-recycle traditional multilayer packaging in non-food applications such as laundry detergent and dishwashing pods while maintaining the benefits of packaging performance.

    How much plastic packaging did Nestlé use in 2019?

    plastic cup on beachIndonesia is one of the Southeast Asian countries taking action against marine plastic pollution. In January 2019, Nestlé became the first food company to join Project Stop, a community initiative launched in 2017. The project’s main goal is to prevent packaging waste from entering the environment by increasing local recycling efforts. By 2020, the project stop aims to prevent 2000 tonnes from entering the sea each year.

    Nestlé’s total plastic packaging consumption (including laminates with different material combinations) was 1.5 million tonnes in 2019. This represents one-third of all packaging used in our shops.

    In 2018, 359 million tonnes of plastic were produced globally.
    Only a tiny percentage of recycled bottles are used to make new bottles. Coca-Cola sources only 20% of its packaging from recycled material, while Nestlé Waters North America uses just over 16% recycled content.
    According to the American chemistry council, more than 60% of Americans have access to various plastic recycling programs.

    We will be investing in developing and sourcing a wider range of food-grade recycled plastics. Also, we will increase our target to use recycled content in our water bottles to 50% by 2025. Together with our continued efforts to introduce alternative packaging materials and new delivery models, these two measures will help Nestlé reduce the use of virgin plastics by a third by 2025.

    How is Nestlé reducing its plastic usage?

    If you’re like most people, it’s difficult to get through the day without acquiring some form of plastic! This is where reuse comes into play. Once the plastic is in your possession, it’s your chance to be creative and find different uses for it. Use plastic bags for sandwiches, plastic bags for small rubbish bags, and reuse your plastic cutlery! If you can’t find a use for something, donate it! By doing so, you not only reduce waste but also help others. Most people skip this step and go straight to recycling, but reusing plastics can reduce the demand for new plastics to be manufactured.

    We support the design and implementation of affordable and effective mandatory extended producer responsibility programs and are actively engaged in many markets. We have identified 20 countries 1 that account for more than 50% of our plastic consumption and where we will first work to improve recycling rates and infrastructure. This is likely to be a long-term task. In the meantime, we have identified a number of countries that are important to Nestlé and where waste is currently escaping into the oceans. These 12 countries account for more than 10% of Nestlé’s plastic consumption.

    Research into the global production of plastics and the associated pollution has shown that plastic waste is a major environmental problem. The impact of plastic waste on marine organisms, humans, and the environment, in general, is of public concern and requires saving ecosystems and the life within them. Despite the fact that plastics are very useful in daily life, the toxic chemicals used in their manufacture need to be thoroughly monitored to ensure environmental and health safety. Reducing the population’s exposure to toxins from plastic waste increases the chances of a clean environment and a healthy society.

    How do you eliminate non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle plastics?

    We eliminate unnecessary packaging and exclude materials that are not recyclable or difficult to recycle. We are also investing more in the development of single-material packaging and alternative materials such as paper and bio-based plastics and new refill/reuse systems.

    Our Fractured research found disturbing evidence that fracking pollution is seeping into our bodies. Readers responded.

    Plastics have value throughout their life cycle, including at the end of their life. Traditional and advanced recycling methods are needed to help society maximize the value derived from plastic waste, but there are some limitations to traditional recycling as it is currently configured. Traditional mechanical recycling – shredding discarded plastic and melting it together with new plastic – is an efficient approach when the waste is well sorted and for waste products predominantly one type of plastic. But every time plastic is recycled via traditional processes, and it loses some of its performance benefits.

    Globally, plastic production was estimated at 380 million tonnes in 2018. From 1950 to 2018, approximately 6.3 billion tonnes of plastics have been produced globally, of which 9% and 12% were recycled and incinerated, respectively. In the UK alone, about 5 million tonnes of plastics are consumed annually, of which only about a quarter are recycled and the rest landfilled. Researchers suggest that by 2050 the oceans could contain more plastics by weight than fish. About 500 billion plastic bags are used incredibly annually, of which an estimated 13 million tonnes end up in the ocean, killing about 100,000 marine animals.

    EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, incineration with energy recovery, and landfilling plastics in municipal waste. The primary data source for plastics generation is the American Chemistry Council. In 2018, the plastics generation was 35—7million tonnes in the united states, representing 12. 2 percent of MSW generation. Epa used data from the American chemistry council and the national association for pet container resources to measure plastics’ recycling. While the total amount of plastics recycled is relatively small – three million tonnes for 8.

    Canada is a driving action within the federal government and taking practical steps to manage plastics’ use and disposal within our own operations. In 2018, we set targets to also:

    Reroute at least 75% of plastic waste from federal operations by 2030. Eliminate the not always necessary use of single-use plastic in organizations, meetings, and events and also purchase more sustainable plastic products that can be reused, recycled, repaired, or repurposed.

    The Article Environmental Toll Of Plastics In Our Environment was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com