> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://books.fablabbcn.org/foodshift-patwhays/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://books.fablabbcn.org/foodshift-patwhays/what-impacts-does-food-waste-have-on-the-planet/environmental-impact.md). # Environmental impact let's talk about something that impacts our planet πŸ₯² and that we can all help change! πŸ‘‰ Food waste πŸžπŸ…πŸ— has a huge effect on the environment: from greenhouse gas emissions that warm our planet 🌑️ to the waste of precious natural resources 🌊🌳. ### πŸ’¨ **Greenhouse Gas Emissions** * πŸ₯² **Methane Production**: When food ends up in landfills, it decomposes without oxygen and produces methane, a super potent gas ([80 times more powerful than COβ‚‚!](https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/methane-emissions-are-driving-climate-change-heres-how-reduce-them)) that contributes to climate change. 😰 Landfills are a major source of this gas! * πŸš› **Emissions in Production and Transportation**: Producing and transporting food uses machinery, fertilizers, and transportation that generate a lot of COβ‚‚. When food is wasted, all that COβ‚‚ was emitted for nothing. 😣 {% embed url="" %} ### πŸ’§ **Waste of Natural Resources** * πŸ’§ **Water**: Producing food takes A LOT of water πŸ’¦. Approximately 250 kmΒ³ of water is used each year to produce food that’s never eaten! In areas where water is scarce, this is a big issue 🌡. * 🌱 **Land**: Growing food requires large areas of land 🌍, often leading to deforestation 🌲 and loss of habitats. If this food is wasted, all that land and soil use is for nothing! * ⚑ **Energy**: From production to storage, food uses up a lot of energy ⚑. When we waste it, we also waste all that energy, much of which comes from non-renewable sources! ### πŸ—‘οΈ **Pollution and Environmental Degradation** * 🌊 **Soil and Water Pollution**: Food in landfills can create leachates (liquids) that seep into the soil and groundwater πŸ˜–. Excessive fertilizer use for crops that are later wasted also pollutes water bodies. * 🐾 **Loss of Biodiversity**: Every time we convert forests to farmland, local animals and plants lose their habitats 😒. Intensive farming practices also disrupt ecosystems and affect local species. ### 🌍 **Impact on Climate Change** * πŸ”₯ **Contribution to Global Warming**: Food waste is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions 😱. If it were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases! πŸ₯‡πŸ₯ˆπŸ₯‰ Reducing food waste is key to fighting climate change 🌞. * 🌱 **Disruption of Natural Cycles**: Nutrients from wasted food can disrupt the natural nitrogen and phosphorus cycles 🌊. This leads to issues like algae blooms in lakes and rivers, harming aquatic life 🐟. πŸ₯— **Reducing food waste is more than an eco-friendly act, it’s a mission!** 🌎 Let's teach our students the importance of caring for these valuable resources and play our part in a greener, healthier future 🌱🌈. Together, we can make a difference! πŸ’ͺ🌍 {% embed url="" %} Fuente : [Nasa](https://youtu.be/YfWCUYX2_U0?si=SBevCrTiDBHczLF9) {% endembed %}