ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS ARISING FROM
FOOD PRODUCTION
KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1.2
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
1. Deforestation
• Large areas of forests are
cleared for agriculture, especially
for livestock grazing and
monoculture sugarcane or corns
• This leads to loss of biodiversity
and contributes to climate change
by reducing carbon sinks.
Illegal clearing for agriculture is driving tropical deforestation
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
1. Deforestation
• Large areas of forests are
cleared for agriculture, especially
for livestock grazing and
monoculture sugarcane or corns
• This leads to loss of biodiversity
and contributes to climate change
by reducing carbon sinks.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
1. Deforestation
• Large areas of forests are
cleared for agriculture, especially
for livestock grazing and
monoculture sugarcane or corns
• This leads to loss of biodiversity
and contributes to climate change
by reducing carbon sinks.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Agriculture contributes to global
warming through methane (from
livestock digestion), nitrous oxide
(from fertilizers), and carbon
dioxide (from machinery and
deforestation).
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Hazard coming from
human waste
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
3. Water Usage & Pollution
• Agriculture is the largest
consumer of freshwater, using
about 70% of global freshwater
resources.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
3. Water Usage & Pollution
• Run-off water can also pose
danger and may cause water
pollution.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
3. Water Usage & Pollution
• DENR, CENRO Kabankalan City attended and participated the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) Second Quarter
Meeting and Site Visit at URC SURE Sonedco Waste Water Treatment Plant at URC SONEDCO, Sugar and Renewable
Division located at Brgy. Camugao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
4. Soil Degradation & Erosion
• Intensive farming depletes soil
nutrients, leading to reduced fertility
and the need for more fertilizers.
• Overgrazing and monocropping
accelerate soil erosion and
desertification.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
4. Soil Degradation & Erosion
• Intensive farming depletes soil
nutrients, leading to reduced fertility
and the need for more fertilizers.
• Overgrazing and monocropping
accelerate soil erosion and
desertification.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
4. Soil Degradation & Erosion
• Intensive farming depletes soil
nutrients, leading to reduced fertility
and the need for more fertilizers.
• Overgrazing and monocropping
accelerate soil erosion and
desertification.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
4. Soil Degradation & Erosion
• Intensive farming depletes soil nutrients, leading to reduced
fertility and the need for more fertilizers.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
5. Biodiversity Loss
• Large-scale agriculture
destroys habitats,
threatening many plant and
animal species.
• The use of pesticides
harms pollinators like bees
and butterflies, which are
essential for food
production.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
6. Overfishing &
Marine Damage
• Industrial fishing depletes
fish stocks faster than they
can recover.
• Aquaculture (fish farming)
can introduce diseases,
pollution, and invasive
species into marine
ecosystems.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
6. Overfishing & Marine Damage
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
7. Food Waste
• Around 30-40% of
food produced
globally is
wasted,
contributing to
unnecessary
resource use and
emissions.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
7. Food Waste
• Waste food in
landfills
decomposes
and releases
methane,
a potent
greenhouse
gas.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
8. Chemical Pollution
• The excessive use of
synthetic fertilizers
and pesticides
contaminates soil,
water, and air.
• This can lead to health
risks for humans and
wildlife.
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KEY PROBLEMS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
8. Chemical Pollution
• The excessive use of
synthetic fertilizers
and pesticides
contaminates soil,
water, and air.
• This can lead to health
risks for humans and
wildlife.
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KEY SOLUTIONS
• Promoting sustainable farming (e.g., organic, regenerative agriculture).
• Reducing food waste through better storage, distribution, and consumer
habits.
• Shifting toward plant-based diets to reduce livestock-related emissions.
• Protecting forests and adopting agroforestry.
• Implementing more efficient irrigation techniques to reduce water use.
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WHAT IS A GENETICALLY
MODIFIED ORGANISM?
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WHAT IS A GENETICALLY
MODIFIED ORGANISM?
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WHAT IS A GENETICALLY
MODIFIED ORGANISM?
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
is a plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic material
has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This
modification is done to achieve desirable traits such as
resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, faster
growth, or tolerance to harsh environmental conditions.
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How GMOs Are Created
1. Identification of a Desired Gene
Scientists identify a gene with a beneficial trait from a different organism (e.g., drought resistance,
pest resistance, or increased yield).
2. Gene Insertion
The selected gene is inserted into the DNA of the target organism using techniques like gene
splicing or CRISPR gene editing.
3. Cell Growth and TestingThe modified cells are grown in a lab and tested to ensure they have the
desired traits.
4. Field Testing
After lab tests, GMOs are grown in controlled field environments to monitor their effects before
commercial [Link] lab tests, GMOs are grown in controlled field environments to monitor
their effects before commercial release.
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How GMOs Are Created
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How GMOs Are Created
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