Environmental Impacts of Food Production, Strawberries

Environmental Impacts of Food crossingion, StrawberriesIntroductionThe high rate of environmental degradation and the depletion of our ozone layer be some of the reasons supporters of Green regeneration are demanding that food crossroadion processes should be energy efficient (Gardner et al., 2008 Perman et al., 2003).This report investigates and compares the possible environmental impacts of hemangioma simplex production in these two countries Spain and UK. The approaches utilize in this study centre on aim definition and scoping and entry analysis, which are important components of full sprightliness cycle assessments (LCAs) that is significant in analysing the production impacts on the environment. This investigation takes place during the U.Ks in-season production of strawberry because out-of-season production would be time-consuming and is beyond the scope of this report.All the information presented below about the product carcass is strictly in accordance with the sta ndardization ISO 14041, which states that The schemes should be adequately described in detail and clarity to allow a nonher (LCA) practitioner to duplicate the inventory analysis, (Marinova et al., 2006).Strawberry Production in the UKConsidering the goal and scope of exploitation strawberries in the UK, the following incidents emerge in the course of this processGoal and Scope The goal of undertaking life cycle assessment on strawberry production in UK to ascertain the level of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the possibility of discretion the benefits of the process and analyze if it is doable to engage in green marketing, eco-labeling and energy conservation. The scope is to define strawberry (product), its surviveal unit, product agreement and system boundaries.Product definition Strawberries are traditionally grown in the UK to supply for local consumption. This is because they are loosely grown on small-scale fruit farming, producing only a small proportionality of t he entire quantity of strawberries consumed in the UK (Janick Paull, 2008). It is helpful to define the kinds of processes required in producing strawberries in the UK.Product function The main function of strawberry in the UK is to be utilise as fruit and food supplement that provide the needed nutrients for the body. Some of the nutrients that strawberry produces complicate but not restrict to water, energy (30,000kcal), protein (0.610g), total fat (0.370), Calcium (14,000mg), Potassium (166,000mg), vitamin C (ascorbic) (56,700mg), Cholesterol (0000 mg) and so on. These nutrients are required by human bodies to function properly. And for the fact that strawberries switch zero calorie and little fatty contents, they are helpful to maintain ones weight, no matter the quantity of the fruit that was consumed (Berdanier, 2002).Product functional unit The product functional unit is 100g of UK strawberries, which approximately provide the needed nutrients and supplements outlined ab ove.Product system the product system for the exploitation of strawberries in the UK including the following processes and they are evaluate to be in conformity with ISO 14041.Growth Preparation of the soil choosing higher, frost-free soil which has the temperature above -2oC, and preparation of pose beds for optimum growth. Setting up Cloche or tunnel- nurtureion to protect the strawberries from being damaged by frost during winter and choosing sunny but least-winded areas for the planting of the strawberries. Final soil preparation is done a month onwards planting by mixing ingrained matter and some bonemeal with the soil. And a fertilizer like Growmore is applied to the soil a week before planting of the strawberry. The strawberries are planted in early September or April. The strawberries are protected from pests and diseases by using pesticides against aphids, red spider mite, slugs and powdery mildew. The strawberries are harvested in mid-April.Processing The harvested ra w strawberries are processed using simple methods They are cleaned, graded and stored in a safer situation so as to prevent them from drying up. forwarding The strawberries are packaged inside containers of opposite sizes and kinds. though, the promotion materials are not dear(predicate) ones they are those that would not make the strawberries price shoot. Quite inexpensive forwarding materials.Transportation The finished strawberry products are transported from the packaging unit to shops and stores where they would be delivered to the buyers. Also, transportation is needed to transport the waste materials back to the fruit farms.System boundaries The system boundary for the growing of strawberries in UK consists of the following components (1) Inputs composed of strawberry plantlets, fertilizer, organic matter, water, soil nutrients, pesticides, bonemeal etc (2) output composed of strawberries, waste plant materials, and so on (3) Sub-systems include the growth of the strawber ries, its processing using some equipment, the packaging of the strawberries in different containers and the transportation of the finished products to the places of consumption.System Environment The system environment is made up of those things outside the system boundary in the case of growing strawberries in UK, they include the soil, the strawberry growers, the environmental conditions like weather and pests.Summary of Growing Strawberries in UKThis approach above is chosen because it describes in detail the processes for growing strawberries in UK, taking into consideration all the inputs, subsystems, outputs and the environment. These procedures are graphical enough for any hereafter LCA practitioners to digest and follow in repeating the same processes. Most significantly, the explanations of the processes are easily understandable and the materials used in the growing of UK strawberries are commonplace, not expensive and could be easily applied. There are no applications o f very expensive technology that could discourage potential LCA practitioners from trying out these processes.Strawberry Production in SpainLooking at the goal and scope of growing strawberries in the Spain, the following facts are important to be consideredGoal and Scope The goal of carrying out life cycle assessment on strawberry production in Spain is to discover the level of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the possibility of understanding the benefits of the process and investigating if it is doable to engage in green marketing, eco-labeling and energy conservation. The scope is to define strawberry (product), its functional unit, product system and system boundaries (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007).Product definition Strawberries are locally produced in the Spain to supply for local consumers and for the export markets. This is because they are mostly grown on both large- and small-scale fruit farming, producing a large proportion of the quantity of strawberries consumed in Spai n and many some other countries in the world, including USA and UK. (Janick Paull, 2008). It is helpful to define the kinds of processes required in producing strawberries in Spain.Product function The main function of strawberry in Spain is to be consumed as fruit and food supplement that will provide the required nutrients for the body. Some of the nutrients that strawberry offers include but not limited to water, energy (30,000kcal), protein (0.610g), total fat (0.370), Calcium (14,000mg), Potassium (166,000mg), vitamin C (ascorbic) (56,700mg), Cholesterol (0000 mg) and so on. These nutrients are required by human bodies to function properly. And for the fact that strawberries have zero calorie and low fatty contents, they are helpful to maintain ones weight, no matter the quantity of the fruit consumed (Berdanier, 2002). They are also used as jams and preserves.Product functional unit It requires about 150 g of Spanish strawberries to absorb the required quantity of nutrients and supplements that human bodies needed to function properly. Although this nominal quantity may change for different kinds of Spanish strawberries. But the commonly used average amount for Spanish strawberrys functional unit is 100g (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007).Product system the product system for the growing of strawberries in Spain involves the following processes and they are executed in accordance with ISO 14041.Growth Majority of Spanish strawberries are grown in the southwestern Western part of the country, in the Huelva Region. The fruit farms are made up of small-scale gardens owned by individual farmers, and a large-scale farms organize by consortium among many Spanish fruit growers (Medina, 2005). Spanish strawberries are of high grade, and they are planted with fertilizers, organic matter and other growth-enhancing substances. Because of their high quality, Spanish strawberries known as Aguedilla are always in high demand in Europe, including in the join Kingdom. The area where Spanish strawberries are grown has a hot summer and longer sunshine. These weather conditions help strawberries to be grown in large quantity.Processing The raw Aguedilla are made to pass by dint of the processes of cleaning, grading and storing. The Spanish strawberries are of high quality, and this is why it is marketable all the year round.Packaging The next process in the production of Spanish strawberries is the packaging the processed strawberries are packaged in different containers of different sizes.Transportation since Spanish strawberries are consumed both locally and at overseas. This requires a great plenty of transportation. Hence, much energy is used in delivering the finished products to the consumers and buyers. Spanish strawberries are not only marketable in Europe, but also in the unite States (Baughen, 2007). This helped the strawberry business in Spain to expand, employing over 30,000 workers for a season (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007).System boundaries The system boundary for the growing of strawberries in Spain consists of the following components (1) Inputs composed of strawberry plantlets, fertilizer, organic matter, water, soil nutrients, pesticides, bonemeal etc (2) output composed of strawberries, waste plant materials, and so on (3) Sub-systems include the growth of the strawberries, its processing using some equipment, the packaging of the strawberries in different containers and the transportation of the finished products to the places of consumption.System Environment The system environment is made up of those things outside the system boundary in the case of growing strawberries in Spain, they include the soil, the strawberry growers, the environmental conditions like weather and pests, and the competitors. Fruit farming in Spain is competitive because many growers are involved in the process. The economy of the South West region of Spain totally depends on these farming activities (Medina, 2005).Summary of t he Strawberry Production in SpainThe processes of producing strawberry in Spain are similar to any other countries, but what is different is that the magnitude of production in Spain is bigger than any other countries. Hence, more energy is consumed and more wastes are disposed of. The culture of growing strawberries in Spain has become improved of recent, and in that respect are more local growers competing for the markets some are even forming alliances with one another to mass-produce strawberries. And for the fact that there are markets in Europe and the NorthAmerica for Spanish strawberries, there is every possibility that the business would continue to grow in Spain, most importantly the area of the country that depends on it for economic miracle. Nowadays, Spanish growers experiment with using special equipment to improve their production activities.Differences between Strawberry Production in UK and SpainThough the methods of producing strawberries in both UK and Spain appe ar similar, but there are some great differences between them. Some of these differences are highlighted belowStrawberries in the UK are mostly grown under heated greenhouses or polytunnels but they are only grown in polytunnels in Spain.Strawberries are available all-year round in Spain, opus it is seasonal in the UK (summer only).The amount of labour used by strawberry growers in Spain in far greater than those used in the UK.Strawberry growing in Spain uses a lot of water and land (polytunnels), while in UK more heating energy is required to protect the strawberries.More energy is used in the transportation of strawberries in Spain than in the UK.Spain generates more wastes than the UK in the entire strawberry production processes.Growing strawberry in the UK is environmentally friendlier than doing the same in Spain.There is more competition in Spain than in the UK hence, this could lead to adulteration of strawberries through sharp practices to reduce costs.ReferencesBaughen, S. (2007). International trade and the protection of the environment. London Routledge-Cavendish.Berdanier, C.D. (2002). enchiridion of nutrition and food. Boca Raton, Florida CRC Press.Gardner, G., Prugh, T., Starke, L. Worldwatch Institute (2008). State of the world 2008 innovation for a sustainable economy. London Earthscan.Handscombe, C. Handscombe, D. (2007). Growing healthy fruit in Spain From strawberries to oranges and watermelons. Malaga, Spain Santana Books.Janick, J. Paull, R.E. (2008). The encyclopedia of fruit and nuts. Oxfordshire, United Kingdom CABI.Marinova, D., Annandale, D. Phillimore, J. (2006). The international handbook on environmental technology. London Edward Elgar Publishing.Medina, F.X. (2005). Food culture in Spain. Santa Barbara, California Greenwood Publishing Group.Perman, R., Ma, Y., Common, M. McGilvray, J. (2003). Natural resources and environmental economics. 3rd Edition. hurrying Saddle River, New Jersey Pearson Education.