The protection of environment is needed for sustainable development. The Industrial pollution, degradation of forests, depletion of ozone layer, the green house gases results in global warming and climate which will have an adverse impact on environment and human health. There is a need for conservation of Biodiversity, protection of wetlands and prevention of environmental pollution, promotion of ecological balance enables sustainable development.
Environmental pollution refers to the introduction of harmful pollutants into the environment. The major types of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, thermal pollution, soil pollution and light pollution
It is critical to protect the environment so as to reduce the destruction of eco-systems caused by a myriad of anthropogenic activities. It is more of a moral obligation for humans to protect the environment from pollution and other activities that lead to environmental degradation. Importantly, environmental degradation is detrimental since it threatens the long-term health of the animals, humans and plants.
From human sides, Food Waste also plays an important role for environmental pollution. Estimated more than one-third of all food produced in the India goes uneaten this waste contributes to problems ranging from hunger and malnutrition to environmental and economic concerns. Food waste effects other natural resources too like:
1. It wastes water
Water is essential to the growing of agriculture, not to mention the feeding of animals that give us our meat, fish, and dairy. But in throwing out millions of tons of food, we also waste uncounted millions of gallons of water that was used to plant, grow, sustain, or otherwise produce it.
2. It releases Methane
The majority of wasted food ends up in landfills and then breaks down to produce methane and carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change. Food in landfills contributes to nearly one-quarter of all methane emissions in the United States. Composting food and diverting it from entering landfills helps prevent the creation of global greenhouse gas emissions and protects the environment.
3. It wastes oil & Fuel
Oil, diesel, and fossil fuels are required to grow, transport, store, and cook food and that all of the oil and fuel that has gone into the production of said food is wasted. Wasting fuel and oil both at the front (production) and the back (decomposition) end by not eating the food we purchase has a hidden but costly impact on the environment
To stop food waste, changes have to be brought in at every stage of the process from farmers and food processors to supermarkets and individual customers. And the consumers are mainly responsible for the majority of food waste and awareness of food waste can play a major role in its reduction.
Below are some important methods which are on our priority for awareness to reduce food waste:
- Priority should be given to balancing production with demand. This essentially translates to lesser use of natural resources to produce food which is not needed
- If oversupply happens, steps should be taken to redistribute the food or to divert it to people who are in need
- Food waste can also reduce their “food footprint” by identifying where waste occurs and taking steps to tackle the same.
- Consumers should also try to buy food in accordance with a meal plan so that they don’t end up wasting edible food. Food may be cheaper when you purchase in bulk, but in reality, you are not really saving money when all you are doing is chucking it in the bin at the end of the week.
- If the food still ends up unfit for human consumption, it can be used for feeding livestock, saving precious resources that would have otherwise been used for producing commercial feed.
- If you do have leftovers, and they are still safe to eat, donate them. If they are not safe to eat, compost them
- Food waste is a global problem with solutions at the local and even individual level. Get the entire family involved in taking steps to reduce waste in your home