2008 Woodie Awards
The food you eat can actually harm the environment
Brandon Drescher
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Opinion
When you think of carbon emissions, gas-guzzling cars usually come to mind, but you also need to look down at what you are eating and take a moment to realize that processed food can add just as much damage to the environment as driving.
Food processing changes the properties of food products meant to preserve it, improve its quality or make it functionally useful.
Food processing currently accounts for about one third of the total greenhouse gas emissions. So, in essence we are killing ourselves by thinking we can make foods better through processing.
Key contributors to carbon emissions and energy usage include the equipment used for processing, ovens, dehydrators, pasteurizers, coolers, and freezers, air systems, and lighting.
Hydrofluorocarbons, used in refrigeration, are a key carbon source influencing the depletion of the ozone layer.
Without our ozone layer there would be no life on Earth. Our planet's surface would more resemble that of our sister planet, Venus.
Some good news: processing companies are racing to reduce their carbon footprint. Not simply out of a concern for the environment, or because of consumers' concerns, since we continue to process our food in great, unneeded quantities and in such manner that is simply a waste, but for financial reasons.
This makes sense since so many companies will not even think of reducing carbon emissions unless it benefits them financially.
I am waiting for the day that we realize we are oppressed by a man-made creation that comes from the environment. It's green, dirty, and keeps humanity from achieving so much more.
Food processing companies are, thankfully, not just looking at what uses lots of energy at the plant, but also their vehicle fleet in everything from fuel efficiency to tire inflation stating "it is all the little things you can do that we are looking at."
This is true, and while some people may disagree that something like tire inflation is not that big of a contributor to fuel efficiency and carbon emissions, it still contributes. That is the bottom line here - if it has an impact on carbon emissions and the environment, then it is important.
Some organic companies are popping up throughout the country like Dean Foods Co., a leading milk processor, marketing brands such as silk soymilk and Horizon Organic dairy products. Not only is this an organic processing company -- which means no strange, synthetic chemicals in their product -- their farm in Maryland is powered by solar panels.
Such great strides are what need to be done everywhere. The company also encourages sustainability efforts at the level of individual employees. You can't run a "green" company without "green" people.
Here in Mississippi, people still argue against the evidence of human influences on the environment and fight against the facts of how better it is to live sustainably. With that attitude, we will always be behind the rest of the nation in living a better life and having superior businesses.
Food processing changes the properties of food products meant to preserve it, improve its quality or make it functionally useful.
Food processing currently accounts for about one third of the total greenhouse gas emissions. So, in essence we are killing ourselves by thinking we can make foods better through processing.
Key contributors to carbon emissions and energy usage include the equipment used for processing, ovens, dehydrators, pasteurizers, coolers, and freezers, air systems, and lighting.
Hydrofluorocarbons, used in refrigeration, are a key carbon source influencing the depletion of the ozone layer.
Without our ozone layer there would be no life on Earth. Our planet's surface would more resemble that of our sister planet, Venus.
Some good news: processing companies are racing to reduce their carbon footprint. Not simply out of a concern for the environment, or because of consumers' concerns, since we continue to process our food in great, unneeded quantities and in such manner that is simply a waste, but for financial reasons.
This makes sense since so many companies will not even think of reducing carbon emissions unless it benefits them financially.
I am waiting for the day that we realize we are oppressed by a man-made creation that comes from the environment. It's green, dirty, and keeps humanity from achieving so much more.
Food processing companies are, thankfully, not just looking at what uses lots of energy at the plant, but also their vehicle fleet in everything from fuel efficiency to tire inflation stating "it is all the little things you can do that we are looking at."
This is true, and while some people may disagree that something like tire inflation is not that big of a contributor to fuel efficiency and carbon emissions, it still contributes. That is the bottom line here - if it has an impact on carbon emissions and the environment, then it is important.
Some organic companies are popping up throughout the country like Dean Foods Co., a leading milk processor, marketing brands such as silk soymilk and Horizon Organic dairy products. Not only is this an organic processing company -- which means no strange, synthetic chemicals in their product -- their farm in Maryland is powered by solar panels.
Such great strides are what need to be done everywhere. The company also encourages sustainability efforts at the level of individual employees. You can't run a "green" company without "green" people.
Here in Mississippi, people still argue against the evidence of human influences on the environment and fight against the facts of how better it is to live sustainably. With that attitude, we will always be behind the rest of the nation in living a better life and having superior businesses.
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Ben C. - Solar Refrigerators
posted 11/18/08 @ 6:00 AM CST
Props to Dean foods! As the costs of solar technology comes down more people will come on board. Even if you argue against the obvious human influence on the enviroment, you can't argue against free power! Traditional energy costs will continue to rise until the decision to change over will become a no brainer. (Continued…)
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