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Röös E, Mayer A, Muller A, Kalt G, Ferguson S, Erb KH, Hart R, Matej S, Kaufmann L, Pfeifer C, Frehner A, Smith P, Schwarz G. Agroecological practices in combination with healthy diets can help meet EU food system policy targets. Sci Total Environ 2022; 847:157612. [PMID: 35901890 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Agroecology has been proposed as a strategy to improve food system sustainability, but has also been criticised for using land inefficiently. We compared five explorative storylines, developed in a stakeholder process, for future food systems in the EU to 2050. We modelled a range of biophysical (e.g., land use and food production), environmental (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions) and social indicators, and potential for regional food self-sufficiency, and investigated the economic policy needed to reach these futures by 2050. Two contrasting storylines for upscaling agroecological practices emerged. In one, agroecology was implemented to produce high-value products serving high-income consumers through trade but, despite 40% of agricultural area being under organic management, only two out of eight EU environmental policy targets were met. As diets followed current trends in this storyline, there were few improvements in environmental indicators compared with the current situation, despite large-scale implementation of agroecological farming practices. This suggests that large-scale implementation of agroecological practices without concurrent changes on the demand side could aggravate existing environmental pressures. However, our second agroecological storyline showed that if large-scale diffusion of agroecological farming practices were implemented alongside drastic dietary change and waste reductions, major improvements on environmental indicators could be achieved and all relevant EU policy targets met. An alternative storyline comprising sustainable intensification in combination with dietary change and waste reductions was efficient in meeting targets related to climate, biodiversity, ammonia emissions, and use of antibiotics, but did not meet targets for reductions in pesticide and fertiliser use. These results confirm the importance of dietary change for food system climate change mitigation. Economic modelling showed a need for drastic changes in consumer preferences towards more plant-based, agroecological and local foods, and for improvements in technology, for these storylines to be realised, as very high taxes and tariffs would otherwise be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Röös
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Andreas Mayer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrian Muller
- Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Kalt
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shon Ferguson
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Heinz Erb
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rob Hart
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sarah Matej
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Kaufmann
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna, Austria
| | - Catherine Pfeifer
- Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Anita Frehner
- Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Gerald Schwarz
- Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 63, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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Manzardo A, Marson A, Zuliani F, Bacenetti J, Scipioni A. Combination of product environmental footprint method and eco-design process according to ISO 14006: The case of an Italian vinery. Sci Total Environ 2021; 799:149507. [PMID: 34426364 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To support the sustainable development of the primary sector, in line with green new deals emerging worldwide, eco-design of new agri-food products is a priority. The wine industry, due to its growing market, has matured the need to develop an approach for understanding the environmental impacts of its products and to develop strategies to reduce such impacts in a life cycle perspective. This study has a two-fold aim: presenting the development of a methodological proposal for the use of PEF and PEF-CR in the eco-design of wine products; testing its applicability in a case study in the wine sector. The methodological proposal considered the combination of ISO 14006 and PEF methods into a procedure consisting of 8 steps. The proposal was successfully applied in the case of an Italian vinery committed to develop a new red wine product with improved performance if compared to its standard red wine production. The study occurred between 2018 and 2020, collecting primary data related to vineyards and vinery operations. Results proved that PEF method and PEF-CR can be effectively used in the eco-design of new wine products with reduced environmental impacts. Moreover, the study confirmed that PEF method can be used within the framework of ISO 14006. The study on standard red wine production confirmed that the fuel and pesticide consumption in the vineyard operation are environmental hotspots. To reduce these impacts, a new selection of Merlot Khorus grapes was made by the Italian vinery. Results of the eco-designed proved that the new product scored a reduction in the potential environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Manzardo
- CESQA (Quality and Environmental Research Centre), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Marson
- CESQA (Quality and Environmental Research Centre), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Filippo Zuliani
- CESQA (Quality and Environmental Research Centre), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Bacenetti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Antonio Scipioni
- CESQA (Quality and Environmental Research Centre), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Kaiser M, Goldson S, Buklijas T, Gluckman P, Allen K, Bardsley A, Lam ME. Towards Post-Pandemic Sustainable and Ethical Food Systems. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 6:4. [PMID: 33521245 DOI: 10.1007/s41055-020-00084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The current global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a deep and multidimensional crisis across all sectors of society. As countries contemplate their mobility and social-distancing policy restrictions, we have a unique opportunity to re-imagine the deliberative frameworks and value priorities in our food systems. Pre-pandemic food systems at global, national, regional and local scales already needed revision to chart a common vision for sustainable and ethical food futures. Re-orientation is also needed by the relevant sciences, traditionally siloed in their disciplines and without adequate attention paid to how the food system problem is variously framed by diverse stakeholders according to their values. From the transdisciplinary perspective of food ethics, we argue that a post-pandemic scheme focused on bottom-up, regional, cross-sectoral and non-partisan deliberation may provide the re-orientation and benchmarks needed for not only more sustainable, but also more ethical food futures.
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Lachance JC, Radhakrishnan S, Madiwale G, Guerrier S, Vanamala JKP. Targeting hallmarks of cancer with a food-system-based approach. Nutrition 2019; 69:110563. [PMID: 31622909 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.110563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although extensive resources are dedicated to the development and study of cancer drugs, the cancer burden is expected to rise by about 70% over the next 2 decade. This highlights a critical need to develop effective, evidence-based strategies for countering the global rise in cancer incidence. Except in high-risk populations, cancer drugs are not generally suitable for use in cancer prevention owing to potential side effects and substantial monetary costs (Sporn, 2011). There is overwhelming epidemiological and experimental evidence that the dietary bioactive compounds found in whole plant-based foods have significant anticancer and chemopreventative properties. These bioactive compounds often exert pleiotropic effects and act synergistically to simultaneously target multiple pathways of cancer. Common bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables include carotenoids, glucosinolates, and polyphenols. These compounds have been shown to target multiple hallmarks of cancer in vitro and in vivo and potentially to address the diversity and heterogeneity of certain cancers. Although many studies have been conducted over the past 30 y, the scientific community has still not reached a consensus on exactly how the benefit of bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables can be best harnessed to help reduce the risk for cancer. Different stages of the food processing system, from "farm-to-fork," can affect the retention of bioactive compounds and thus the chemopreventative properties of whole foods, and there are opportunities to improve handling of foods throughout the stages in order to best retain their chemopreventative properties. Potential target stages include, but are not limited to, pre- and postharvest management, storage, processing, and consumer practices. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive food-system-based approach that not only taking into account the effects of the food system on anticancer activity of whole foods, but also exploring solutions for consumers, policymakers, processors, and producers. Improved knowledge about this area of the food system can help us adjust farm-to-fork operations in order to consistently and predictably deliver desired bioactive compounds, thus better utilizing them as invaluable chemopreventative tools in the fight to reduce the growing burden of cancer worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Lachance
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Sridhar Radhakrishnan
- Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Research Diets, Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Stéphane Guerrier
- Geneva School of Economics and Management & Faculty of Science, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jairam K P Vanamala
- Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; The Pennsylvania State Hershey Cancer Institute, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Li X, Dong S, Zhang W, Fan X, Wang R, Wang P, Su X. The occurrence of perfluoroalkyl acids in an important feed material (fishmeal) and its potential risk through the farm-to-fork pathway to humans. J Hazard Mater 2019; 367:559-567. [PMID: 30641426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.12.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have attempted to elucidate the occurrence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in animal feeds and how they play a role in human ingestion. Fishmeal was the most important animal-derived feed in global husbandry and may have been subjected to PFAA contamination considering the PFAAs' ubiquitous distribution in aquatic ecosystems. We collected ninety-two commercial fishmeal from the most important fishmeal-producing countries and found that Σ16PFAAs ranged from 0.65 to 85.5 ng/g (average: 18.2 ng/g, 12% moisture). PFOS still predominated, with unexpected high detection of PFUnDA. The wide occurrence of short-chain PFAAs (e.g., PFBA, PFBS) in fishmeal were found for the first time. From a geographical view, PFAA levels in fishmeal that originated from the Northern Hemisphere were significantly higher than those from the Southern Hemisphere (p < 0.01). Higher levels of under-studied long-chain PFAAs (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA and PFTrDA) weighted more in industrialized areas than less industrialized areas, whereas the legacy PFAAs (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) were comparable among all regions. The estimated daily intake was calculated from animal feed to humans (via cultured fish) from 20 Chinese provinces by the Monte Carlo Simulation. A proportion of 29.8% of residents from the Fujian Province exceeded the EFSA's suggestion for PFOS ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Shujun Dong
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xia Fan
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ruiguo Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peilong Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoou Su
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China.
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