6.1.7

Sustainability of Food

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Food Production and Climate Change

Supplying the global population with a sustainable food supply is no easy task.

Production contributing to climate change

Production contributing to climate change

  • Food production, transportation and wastage are all processes that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
  • The build-up of gases traps heat (which means less heat goes back into space) which is causing planet Earth to heat up. This is known as global warming.
  • The effects of global warming include sea levels rising, extinction of species and more extreme meteorological events (e.g. natural disasters).
  • Changes to climate are also having an impact on crops and food.
Climate change affecting food

Climate change affecting food

  • Crops can be affected by even small rises in average global temperature. Effects include:
    • Lower yield of crops.
    • Microorganisms and pests spreading their reach. Warmer temperatures allow them to reproduce more and infect new areas that were previously too cool.
Climate change affecting food (continued)

Climate change affecting food (continued)

  • Droughts and flooding caused by climate change can cause food shortages.
  • Food shortages can cause malnutrition (unbalanced nutrients in the diet), poor health and death.
Positive upsides of climate change

Positive upsides of climate change

  • Some areas have arguably benefitted from rising temperatures.
    • In the UK, crops such as peaches, grapes and oranges can now be grown.

Extreme Metereological Events

Extreme meteorological events are happening more frequently because of climate change. Examples include:

Flooding

Flooding

  • Events like cyclones can lead to flooding.
  • Flooding washes away soil and nutrients, which hinder crop growth.
  • Floods can physically damage growing crops.
  • Floods can drown animals.
  • Fields can be polluted by sewage. Sewage can also help to spread animal disease.
Drought

Drought

  • Areas that haven't received enough rainfall can suffer a drought.
  • During a drought, crops either can't grow properly or at all.
  • Fish and other sea life die if lakes and rivers dry out.
  • Wildfires may start. These fires can ruin fields and kill animals as they spread.
Jump to other topics
1

Food Preparation Skills

1.1

Food Preparation Skills

1.1.1General Practical Skills1.1.2Knife Skills1.1.3Preparing Fruit, Vegetables & Using Equipment1.1.4Cooking Methods: Prepare, Shape & Combine1.1.5Sauce Making, Tenderising & Marinating1.1.6Dough & Pastry1.1.7Shaping & Finishing Dough1.1.8Raising Agents & Mixtures1.1.9End of Topic Test - Food Preparation Skills 1
2

Food, Nutrition & Health

2.1

Macronutrients

2.1.1Proteins2.1.2Proteins 22.1.3Fats2.1.4Carbohydrates2.1.5Carbohydrates 2
2.2

Micronutrients

2.2.1Fat-Soluble Vitamins2.2.2Water-Soluble Vitamins2.2.3Minerals & Water2.2.4Minerals & Water 22.2.5End of Topic Test - Macro & Micronutrients
2.3

Nutritional Needs & Health

2.3.1Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet2.3.2Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet 22.3.3Energy Needs2.3.4Nutritional Analysis2.3.5Diet Modifications2.3.6Diet-Related Problems2.3.7Diet-Related Problems 22.3.8End of Topic Test - Nutritional Needs & Health
3

Food Science

3.1

Cooking of Food & Heat Transfer

3.1.1Reasons for Cooking & Heat Transfer3.1.2Water-Based Cooking Methods3.1.3Fat-Based Cooking Methods3.1.4Dry Cooking Methods3.1.5Dry Cooking Methods 2
3.2

Functional & Chemical Properties of Food

3.2.1Proteins & Carbohydrates3.2.2Fats & Oils3.2.3Raising Agents3.2.4End of Topic Test - Food Science
4

Food Safety

4.1

Food Spoilage & Contamination

4.1.1Microorganisms & Signs of Food Spoilage4.1.2Enzymes & Signs of Food Spoilage4.1.3Food Poisoning4.1.4Bacterial Contamination4.1.5Microorganisms in Food Production
4.2

Principles of Food Safety

4.2.1Temperature Control4.2.2Ambient Foods & Food Labels4.2.3Preparing, Cooking & Serving Food4.2.4End of Topic Test - Food Safety
5

Food Choice

5.1

Factors Affecting Food Choice

5.1.1Factors Which Influence Food Choice5.1.2Food Choices5.1.3Religious Food Choices5.1.4Food Labels5.1.5Mandatory Food Labels5.1.6Optional Food Labels5.1.7Marketing Influences5.1.8End of Topic Test - Food Choice
5.2

British & International Cuisines

5.2.1British Cuisine5.2.2Japanese Cuisine5.2.3Japanese Ingredients & Dishes5.2.4Spanish Cuisine5.2.5Spanish Ingredients & Dishes
5.3

Sensory Evaluation

5.3.1Taste Receptors & Olfactory Systems5.3.2Sensory Testing Methods5.3.3Sensory Testing Methods 25.3.4End of Topic Test - Cuisines & Senses
6

Food Provenance

6.1

Environmental Impact & Sustainability of Food

6.1.1Food Sources - Intensive & Organic Farming6.1.2Food Sources - Genetically Modified Crops6.1.3Food Sources - Reared Food6.1.4Food Sources - Caught Food6.1.5Food & The Environment6.1.6Food & The Environment 26.1.7Sustainability of Food6.1.8Sustainability of Food 26.1.9End of Topic Test - Environmental Impacts
6.2

Food Processing & Production

6.2.1Primary Food Processing6.2.2Primary Food Processing 26.2.3Secondary Food Processing6.2.4Fortification6.2.5Additives6.2.6End of Topic Test - Food Processing & Production

Practice questions on Sustainability of Food

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Likely consequences of climate change for food production:True / false
  2. 2
    Examples of the effects of floods:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Which areas can suffer from a drought?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Examples of the negative effects of droughts:Fill in the list
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Food & The Environment 2

Sustainability of Food 2