THE FOOD SYSTEM FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE DR. RR DUPONT, PROFESSOR CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Outline of Presentation Something About Me Some Questions for You Agriculture from Science/Engineering Perspective Key Issues from Environmental Science Perspective
About Me Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Joined UWRL & CEE in 1982 Teaching and Research Solid & Haz. Waste Mgmt. Wastewater Engineering Pollution Prevention & Industrial Ecology Professional Ethics & Sustainability
Some Questions for You Does it Matter What We Eat? Is there a Big Difference in the Environmental Impact of the Food We Choose? Why or Why Not? What Impacts are Relevant to Consider? Is There a Relationship Between the Nutritional Value of Our Food and Its Environmental Impact?
More Questions What is the Agricultural/Food System? Are There Points Within It that We as Individuals Can Make a Difference? Is Our Current System Sustainable? Do We Have ANY Responsibility to Improve OUR Environmental Footprint and What is the Role of Our Interaction Within the Agricultural/Food System in Doing That?
Agriculture from Science/Engineering Perspective Engineering is Applied Science Engineering is Concerned about Efficiency of Material & Energy Use through Life- Cycle of Things we Produce and Use Enlightened Engineering is Focused on Using a SYSTEMS APPROACH for All Problems Agriculture/Food is a Complex SYSTEM
AGRICULTURAL/FOOD SYSTEM
Engineering/Science Concerns Required Inputs of Materials Quantities Efficiency of Use (Source Reduction) “Renewability” (Recycling) Impacts on the Human Health & the Environment During Production Systems or Approaches to Increase Efficiency, Reduce Impact w/Out Compromising Function
Engineering/Science Concerns Production of Waste from Inefficiency of Use in Production Quantities “Renewability” Impacts on the Human Health & the Environment as Waste Systems or Approaches to Reduce Impact and Put Back Resources into Raw Material or Input Stream
Engineering/Science Concerns Production of Waste from Inefficiency of Use in Consumption Quantities “Renewability” (Recycling) Their Impacts on the Human Health & the Environment as Waste Systems or Approaches to Reduce Waste in Consumption - Multiplier Effect in Reducing Demand & Inefficiencies & Impacts in Production
How Critical is Last Issue of Food Waste? Food Waste in U.S. and World Significant Proportion of What is Produced! Production is Costly Waste is Costly Malnutrition is Widespread
Key Issues from Environmental Science Perspective Environmental Impact of Input to Agricultural/Food System Energy Materials (Water, Nutrients, Pesticides/Herbicides/Fungicides) Environmental Impact of Waste During Production Environmental Impact of Waste During Consumption General Lack of Consumer Knowledge of Environmental Issues & their Significance
LIFE-CYCLE APPROACH TO AG/FOOD SUSTAINABILITY WHAT IS OUR ROLE IN THIS?
FOOD SYSTEMS ENERGY USE WHAT DOES THIS TELL US?
WATER FOOTPRINT OF OUR FOOD WHAT DOES THIS TELL US?
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITION & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OUR FOOD INDIVIDUAL CHOICE MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE
WHAT TO STRIVE FOR - SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS