# Comprehensive Report: The Rising Demand for Avocados and Its Global Impact

## Introduction

As a vegan who relies on avocados as a dietary staple, your concern about the environmental and social impacts of avocado consumption is both valid and important.

This report examines how global avocado consumption has changed in recent years and analyzes the multifaceted impacts of this rising demand on producing countries, including economic benefits, environmental concerns such as deforestation and water use, and social effects on local farming communities.

## Global Consumption Trends

While the provided documents don't contain specific data on avocado consumption, they highlight broader trends in global food consumption that help contextualize the avocado boom.

Global food demand is rising dramatically, with the world population expected to approach 10 billion by 2050.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food demand is projected to increase by 50-60% from current levels to meet this population growth.

Avocados have specifically experienced remarkable growth in global demand over the past two decades, driven by increased awareness of their nutritional benefits, the popularity of plant-based diets, and their incorporation into various international cuisines.

This surge follows similar patterns seen with other high-demand agricultural products like palm oil, which saw China's imports increase from 1.

35 million tons in 1999 to 6.

72 million tons in 2019.

## Economic Impact on Producing Countries

The rising global demand for avocados has created significant economic opportunities for producing countries, primarily in Latin America (including Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia).

Similar to other agricultural booms, avocado farming has:

- Created employment opportunities in rural areas
- Generated valuable export revenue
- Stimulated infrastructure development in farming regions
- Provided foreign exchange earnings that can support national economies

However, this economic benefit comes with challenges.

As highlighted in discussions about palm oil production, agricultural export booms can create economic dependencies that leave countries vulnerable to market fluctuations.

The documents note that while consumers in developed nations demand "correctly grown" food (environmentally sustainable and ethically produced), they often expect low prices, creating pressure on producers that can undermine sustainability efforts.

## Environmental Concerns

### Deforestation and Land Conversion

The documents provide significant insight into deforestation concerns related to agricultural expansion, particularly through the example of palm oil in Indonesia.

Similar concerns apply to avocado production:

- Large-scale avocado farming often requires clearing new land, contributing to deforestation
- The documents note that "the world's livestock alone produce more greenhouse gases than the direct emissions of the world's planes, trains and cars combined - not just directly but from the forest clearances to grow food"
- This deforestation not only releases stored carbon but also destroys biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems

The Indonesian palm oil example demonstrates how agricultural expansion can "destroy rainforest ecology and indigenous habitats.

" While specific data on avocado-related deforestation isn't provided in the documents, the pattern of agricultural expansion leading to environmental degradation is well-established.

### Water Usage and Scarcity

Water usage is perhaps the most significant environmental concern associated with avocado production.

The documents emphasize that:

- "Water is essential to life on Earth.

but this precious resource is not infinite"
- "2.

4 billion people live in water-stressed countries"
- "What we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water"

Avocados are water-intensive crops, requiring approximately 70 liters of water per fruit.

In water-stressed regions where many avocados are grown, this intensive water use can:
- Deplete local water resources
- Compete with community water needs
- Exacerbate water scarcity issues
- Impact other agricultural activities

The documents note that water scarcity is "an ever-increasing cause of conflict," highlighting the social tensions that can arise from intensive water use for export crops.

### Other Environmental Impacts

Beyond deforestation and water use, avocado production can lead to:
- Soil degradation and erosion
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Carbon emissions from transportation to global markets

The documents note that "intensive use of agrochemicals—i.

e.

pesticides and fertilisers—has become the norm to ramp up production," with potential negative impacts on ecosystems and human health.

## Social Effects on Local Communities

The social impacts of rising avocado demand on producing communities are complex:

### Positive Effects

- Employment creation in rural areas
- Improved infrastructure in farming regions
- Potential for technology transfer and improved farming practices
- Economic development in previously marginalized areas

### Negative Effects

- Displacement of small-scale farmers and indigenous communities
- Concentration of land ownership and wealth
- Water conflicts between agricultural operations and local communities
- Labor issues and working conditions in large-scale operations
- Food security concerns when land previously used for local food production is converted to export crops

The documents note that "600 million people who depend, at least partially, on aquatic food systems for a living are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices and climate change.

" While not specific to avocados, this highlights how environmental degradation from agricultural expansion can impact communities dependent on natural resources.

## Sustainable Alternatives and Solutions

### Sustainable Farming Practices

The documents suggest several approaches to more sustainable agriculture:
- Supporting certified sustainable production (similar to sustainable palm oil initiatives)
- Implementing water-efficient irrigation techniques
- Using integrated pest management to reduce chemical inputs
- Maintaining biodiversity within farming landscapes

### Consumer Choices and Impact

As a conscious consumer, your choices can make a difference:
- Seek out avocados from certified sustainable sources
- Consider seasonal and local options when available
- Be mindful of overall consumption patterns
- Support companies and brands committed to sustainable practices

The documents note that "consumer behavior change is an important part of promoting sustainable food systems," but also caution against placing too much responsibility on individual consumers: "Don't take on too much responsibility, we can only change our individual consumption behavior, we can't do everything.

"

### Policy Recommendations

Systemic change requires policy interventions:
- Regulations to prevent deforestation for agricultural expansion
- Water management policies that balance agricultural needs with community requirements
- Support for small-scale farmers and sustainable farming methods
- International cooperation on sustainable agricultural standards

The documents suggest that "achieving dramatic reductions in animal product consumption will require policy changes and other interventions, such as information campaigns, programs to serve plant-based products in schools, and taxation of high-emission foods.

" Similar approaches could be applied to promote sustainable avocado production.

## Conclusion

The rising global demand for avocados presents both opportunities and challenges for producing countries.

While it offers significant economic benefits, it also raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding deforestation and water use, and complex social issues for local communities.

As a vegan concerned about the impact of your food choices, you can take several steps to align your avocado consumption with your values:

1.

Research the sources of your avocados and choose suppliers committed to sustainable practices
2.

Consider moderating consumption if appropriate for your dietary needs
3.

Support broader initiatives for sustainable agriculture and fair trade
4.

Advocate for policies that address the environmental and social impacts of agricultural production

The documents emphasize that sustainable food systems require collective action across all levels—from individual consumers to international organizations.

By making informed choices and supporting systemic change, you can enjoy avocados as part of your vegan diet while minimizing harm to the planet and communities that produce them.

# Comprehensive Report: The Rising Demand for Avocados and Its Global Impact

## Introduction

As a vegan who relies on avocados as a dietary staple, your concern about the environmental and social impacts of avocado consumption is both valid and important.

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Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
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General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
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In 7 months...
The world consumes a staggering amount of planetary resources.
Humanity is hungry and the earth is paying a heavy price.
People are consuming the earth ’ s resources at a faster rate.
How do we consume land?
What exactly do we consume?
• The Age of Man
• Characteristics of the human age
August 2, 2023 was an important day for the planet, a big date and a bad one.
It marked the so-called Earth Overshoot Day, the day when the annual resources that humanity extracts from the Earth exceed the planet ’ s ability to replenish them in the same year.
When Earth Bypass Day occurs each year, it is calculated by researchers with whom Earth Bypass Day collaborates at the nonprofit Global Footprint Network (GFN).
Global Footprint Network investigators run equations to calculate the ecological footprint, taking into account the planet ’ s bioability and how fast humans are based on current and past consumption levels.
Humans have not always been hungry for resources.
The Global Footprint Network has data that goes back more than half a century.
In 1971, for example, Earth Overshoot Day did not occur until late December, meaning humans were mostly living within their means.
By 1979, history had returned to mid-October.
By 2001, it was mid-September.
There are potential solutions to this problem, as Global Footprint Network and Earth Overshoot Day emphasize.
Cities could be made physically tighter, provide carbon-free public transport, and modify buildings to become more energy efficient; all of this would reduce the need to extract fossil fuels.
Food production can also be made more sustainable.
Every year, more than 30% or 1.3 billion tons of food produced for human consumption is wasted; predicting global food demand more accurately and producing only what we need would ease some cultivation and extraction.
Achieving global population stability is another area that deserves attention.
Keeping the planet ’ s population at 7.7 billion — slightly less than it is now — would add 49 days to the day of overtaking Earth by 2050, moving it from August 2 to September 20.
The Times report concluded that humans are a hungry species, and often, our land pays a heavy price for it.
According to a study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), more than a third of Earth ’ s natural resources have been destroyed by humans in just 30 years.
Humanity has not consumed a third of nature ’ s resources.
And we continue to consume it.
at an increasing rate.
Today we need about 1.75 planets to provide the resources to consume and absorb our waste.
By 2030, we will need two planets.
But now we only have one.
How do we consume the land?
The ecological footprint measures how quickly we consume natural resources and generate waste compared to how quickly nature generates new resources and absorbs our waste.
Our consumption includes: fossil fuels (and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere), fish and seafood, forest products, meat, grain, built-up land (buildings, asphalt, concrete), and unfortunately overuse is increasing.
What exactly are we consuming?
The global footprint measures human demand for nature.
To illustrate, we extract 88 billion tons of natural resources from the Earth every year (in 2017).
More than 11 tons of natural resources for every person on earth.
The numbers continue to rise.
And by 2050, we're going to use twice that.
The Age of Man
The human influence on Earth is so enormous that it led to the official designation of a new geological era: the Anthropocene.
Instead: the human age or the human age.
Characteristics of the human age
The reason for naming the New Age is the enormous impact humans have had on Earth — especially since about 1950.
The effects include:
Forest cutting: Since 2016, an average of 28 million hectares have been cut each year.
Air, ocean and land pollution: The rate of groundwater pollution doubled between 1960 and 2000, now reaching more than 280 square kilometers per year.
8.9 million people die from air pollution every year.
In a report by Martin Kobler of Deutsche Villa, How Eight Billion People Can Live Together Sustainably, he pointed out that the world ’ s richest countries consume the most.
Sarah Hertog, a population expert at the United Nations in New York, said rising incomes were far more important than population growth in driving increased consumption and associated pollution, noting that the world ’ s richest countries, where population growth has slowed or reversed, use most resources per capita.
The poorest developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, which are expected to record the highest inflation rates in the coming decades, are responsible for only a small fraction of global emissions and resource use.
This was highlighted in a report entitled The Rise of Global Consumption, in World Synthesis, and its environmental consequences, and the report pointed out that there is a price to pay for this uncontrolled consumption.
The planet suffers from this over-extraction of resources - forests, fish, soil, minerals, water...
This leads to the degradation and collapse of ecosystems, habitats and species.
In addition, increased consumption leads to increased pollution and waste, and the basics of life - air, land and water become more polluted and toxic.

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Content: Desertification threatens 40% of the world ’ s population and damages 12 million hectares annually.
What are the implications for global food?
Desertification threatens 40% of the world ’ s population and damages 28 million feddans annually.
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The United Nations predicted huge losses within 60 years, due to the limited availability of arable soil globally.
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), worldwide losses of food, ecosystem services and income due to land degradation are estimated at $23 trillion by 2050.
Every year, desertification degrades about 12 million hectares of land, affects 40% of the world ’ s population, and affects all continents, with negative impacts not only on food, but also on human health, biodiversity, climate change and overall stability.
The COP15 Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification, held in Abidjan last month, attempted to work concretely to address the rapid destruction of land and its deadly consequences for biodiversity and the Earth ’ s population.
The conference adopted 38 resolutions to invest in land restoration and mitigate the effects of drought, most notably: accelerating the recovery of 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Commenting on this issue, International Environment Expert Dr. Hisham Issa said that the phenomenon of desertification is a direct negative result of climate change and that this phenomenon in the African continent is related to food security, as famines spread with increasing desertification, adding that desertification also affects mass migrations of tribes in some areas affected by desertification to other places, which may provoke conflicts with other tribes and may develop into civil wars because these areas are also limited resources.
Issa pointed out that the Framework Convention on Climate Change has developed materials to adapt to desertification and protect countries vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, pointing out that the implementation of these materials requires significant financial funding to use new technologies to eliminate desertification, restructure agricultural lands, restore water sources and improve the quality of crops.
For his part, the head of the World Environment Party, Dr. Domit Kamel, said: "There is no unified scientific strategy to confront climate change, global warming and environmental protection, and there is a frightening consumption of fossil fuels, which leads to the expansion of desertification seriously.
Kamel stressed the importance of raising awareness of the problems of the environment, where most people consume huge amounts of fossil fuels and cut down trees, warning that if the situation continues as it is, the great disaster will occur, as humans burn the planet with their hands.
Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Ashraf Kamal said: "Desertification is a global phenomenon that has spread recently, for example, the lack of forest area in the world, where the world recently lost 330 million hectares of forest land, indicating that desertification is a big problem for the Arab world because it is located in a semi-arid area.
On the conferences held to combat desertification, Kamal stressed that what comes out of them are only indicative recommendations that are not binding on countries, but when they are adopted, they are very important, such as the establishment of windbreaks in areas prone to desertification. He also noted that the major industrialized countries are the most influential in climate change, but they do not bear the consequences in this context.
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How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

This report examines how global avocado consumption has changed in recent years and analyzes the multifaceted impacts of this rising demand on producing countries, including economic benefits, environmental concerns such as deforestation and water use, and social effects on local farming communities.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

## Global Consumption Trends

While the provided documents don't contain specific data on avocado consumption, they highlight broader trends in global food consumption that help contextualize the avocado boom.

Global food demand is rising dramatically, with the world population expected to approach 10 billion by 2050.

Title:

Content: Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

Reimagining climate-resilient food systems in a post-pandemic world

Published on Aug 23, 2022 11:19 AM IST

The article has been authored by Shoba Suri and Aparna Roy.

ByORF

Thinking about the future of global food systems has now become more critical than ever. Climate change impacts—among them, shifts in soil quality, precipitation, pest regimes, seasonal growth patterns, along with land degradation and reduction in biodiversity—have impacted agricultural and aquatic food production systems across the world. Indeed, the causal links between climate change and food security are manifesting more clearly, particularly in the developing world, where nutrition deficiency is common, as is the predominance of rain-fed, farm-centred agricultural systems. This report reimagines the future of food, and how countries of the Global South, including India, can build resilient food systems.

There is no dearth of problems associated with nutrition and public health: hunger, malnutrition, food-borne diseases, and food insecurity, among them. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that every year, nearly 600 million people (7.5% of the global population) fall ill from eating contaminated food and 420,000 die because of it. Children under five bear 40% of the food-borne disease burden. Almost one-third of the world’s population did not have access to adequate food in 2020; three billion could not get healthy food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found that around 720-811 million face hunger. Undernourishment rates among children have also been rising alarmingly.

The issues of poor food safety, food insecurity, and unsustainable food systems are closely interlinked. These have been further exacerbated by climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, and have disproportionately affected some populations more than others. The importance of access to safe and nutritious food therefore cannot be overemphasised.

RELATED STORIES

With a rapidly growing human population and burgeoning demand for food, intensive use of agrochemicals—i.e. pesticides and fertilisers—has become the norm to ramp up production of livestock and crops. Without chemical pesticides, and crop protection in general, more than half of the world’s crops would be destroyed by insects, weeds, and diseases. Food production per acre would decline rapidly; the area of land used for crop cultivation would have to increase. This, in turn, would have detrimental effects on wildlife habitats and ecosystems and dilute the quality of soil due to erosion. There is also the likelihood of a rise in food prices and reduced food output.

The use of agrochemicals, however, comes at a perilous cost. Chemical contamination changes the biochemical composition of food, and can lead to a range of diseases from diarrhoea to cancer and neurodegenerative conditions, reproductive and developmental changes, and respiratory damage. In the United States (US), for instance, 35% of all cancer cases may be attributed to poor diets (i.e., low consumption of whole grains and high intake of processed food) and the chemical pesticides present in the food consumed. Some 385 million cases of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning occur annually worldwide, of which 11,000 result in deaths.

It is pertinent to note that even as developed countries use 80% of the pesticides produced globally, more than half of the recorded deaths due to pesticides are reported in the poorer countries. This underscores the importance of food safety regulations; in the Global South, there is lack of occupational safety standards on food composition, weak enforcement of rules and regulations, and inadequate knowledge of pesticide use.

In Egypt, for example, milk samples tested in 1990 contained between 60-80% of pesticide residue, while in the US, 50% had such residue. Therefore, the nature of the food being consumed is taking a heavy toll on public health, more so in poor economies. Food and agricultural regulations around the world must pay attention not only to the increasing food demand and the need for growth in production, but also to the safety of the food being produced.

The research can be accessed by clicking here

The article has been authored by Shoba Suri and Aparna Roy.

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Content: Join our community of smart investors

Farming via your smartphone – is Deere & Co worth buying?

England has witnessed several uprisings by rural workers in protest at agricultural mechanisation. Now, demographics and advancing digital technologies are triggering change in farm labour markets across the globe

Jeremy Clarkson isn’t usually renowned for producing television or press content of any real substance, yet there’s no doubting the man's popularity. Last year, an eight-part series documenting his struggles to get his farm in Oxfordshire up and running struck a chord with countryfolk and city-dwellers alike. But it also brought home just how difficult it is for a small-scale farmer to make a living through primary production.

And yet, the likes of Jim Rogers and other high-profile investors have been talking up the prospects for the wider agricultural sector for the past 20 years or so. The reasons behind this are not difficult to appreciate. The United Nations estimates that by 2050, we will need to feed an additional 1.82bn people on the planet, two-thirds of whom will be in Africa. That’s a 23 per cent increase on the current global population. Throw in worsening soil and water degradation, together with rising global demand for animal protein, and the scope for investors is obvious enough, although slightly troubling from a Malthusian perspective.

So, how will we be able to significantly boost global food production while limiting pressures on the natural environment? A key component in the pursuit of this objective is the ongoing drive to increase farm automation. The roll-out of robotics, drones, and computer vision software is transforming modern agriculture as farmers look to strike a balance between the need for increased yields and ecological stewardship, while the arrival of 5G technology has enabled drones to transmit high-definition images of agricultural land, in addition to monitoring livestock and engaging in pest control.

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Content: 5 MINUTES
They planted and we ate.
Will they eat?
Mohamed Salem Al Ali
Away from the conflicts and conflicts that the world is witnessing, or the more that may come from them, and also away from the pandemics and epidemics that once disappeared we were surrounded by a new arrival, that is, in an ideal world that is on the journey of time from the past to the future, I have an urgent question about what agriculture has achieved so far, and whether it will succeed in the future in silencing hunger and bellies.
There is no doubt that today ’ s agriculture is not like yesterday, it is much more efficient than it was centuries and decades ago, yields more and quality better, but its march has become in a worrying situation, needs a lot of work and improvements, especially as the challenges do not delay, and the coming are more severe and harder, on the one hand we find the world population is increasing feverish, and they will, according to expectations, There is no water and rain as we are used to, and no agricultural land as abundant as it used to be, so that the language of the figures continues to confirm and support, and even stress, that the equation of population and food in that year will not be fully met until the expected demand for food is met at the time, a demand that will increase by 50% to 60% from today, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The expected increase in population will be accompanied by a large urban expansion, which will not only increase consumption, but will change patterns and habits: if in the 1990s the average person in the world consumed 36 kg of processed food and meat annually, this figure will jump in the next 10 years to 45 kg.
However, hopes are still pinned on modern technologies, because, as always, they bring us all the solutions and answers, and what they were providing for agriculture in the recent past of plows and methods of irrigation and harvesting, now provided in the form of a superior artificial intelligence, accommodating various changes, and prescribing the most effective treatments.
Yes, there is a lot coming for the benefit of agriculture and farmers. Artificial intelligence, through precision imaging devices and drones, collects huge amounts of data in real time, then processes and presents real time facts and solutions to farmers. It monitors soil quality in terms of composition and texture, monitors crop safety in terms of diseases, insects and pests. He makes comparisons, so that he can observe the stages of growth from seeds and cuttings to fruits and full maturation, and it is enough to send a simple notice to the farmer, such as “Good fruit and it is time to pick it! ”
The potential does not stop there, but extends to livestock, as a key component of the agricultural economy, where artificial intelligence algorithms track herds, monitor their health and food safety, and then notify farmers as soon as they sense unusual ills and patterns, which often indicate disease and malnutrition.
Thus, we find that the future of agriculture depends fatally on the adoption of cognitive solutions, and in order to employ the enormous potential of artificial intelligence in the field of agriculture, these solutions must become accessible, more applicable, and more importantly affordable for all, whether in rich or poor countries, and only then will AI succeed in creating a huge agricultural revolution, which will feed people in the future, even if they increase billions and billions.
Founder of Suhail Smart Solutions
To read the author ’ s previous articles, please click on his name.
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According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food demand is projected to increase by 50-60% from current levels to meet this population growth.

Avocados have specifically experienced remarkable growth in global demand over the past two decades, driven by increased awareness of their nutritional benefits, the popularity of plant-based diets, and their incorporation into various international cuisines.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

This surge follows similar patterns seen with other high-demand agricultural products like palm oil, which saw China's imports increase from 1.

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Content: Join our community of smart investors

Deere & Co: modestly rated at the vanguard of digital agriculture

Another agricultural revolution is under way and the Illinois-based group aims to maintain its technological edge

Some of us have a somewhat idealised view of farming. Hay wains, Clydesdales and milkmaids characterise the popular imagination, but the reality is that gene sequencing, advanced hydrology and global positioning systems are more in keeping with modern agricultural practice.

That’s to say nothing of the link between farming and the oil & gas industry. Food supply in industrialised countries still relies heavily on fossil fuels, both in terms of the use of hydrocarbons as a key feedstock in the manufacture of fertilisers and pesticides, but also as a cheap energy source at all stages of food production.

Farming remains one of the biggest consumers of fossil fuels, but as concerns over soil degradation, water shortages and climate change increasingly inform rural policymaking, the switch to tech-driven solutions is gathering momentum, an ideal scenario for the likes of Deere & Co (NYSE: DE), perhaps the world’s best-known manufacturer of advanced agricultural equipment.

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35 million tons in 1999 to 6.

72 million tons in 2019.

Title:

Content: Any lifting in agri-food output must be done sustainably and without an over-reliance on chemical inputs, according to President Michael D Higgins.

President Higgins has claimed that the reliance of modern agri-food systems on imported fertilisers, pesticides and seed has its roots in colonialism.

The President was speaking at an awards ceremony on Friday where he was presented with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Agricola Medal, with his speech centred on Africa.

He hit out at a “reluctance” in many quarters of the international community to work beyond an “immediate humanitarian response” to food shortages to create “sustainable structures” for the future of farming.

Output from farmland

“Increases in food production must be sustainable, even as we continue to lose land to environmental degradation and climate change, with all the horrific attendant loss of biodiversity that is involved,” President Higgins said.

“We now need best ecological practices in agriculture, including agro ecology, to become widespread.

'Colonially-imposed food system'

“This is substantially different from mere adjustments to the productionist agronomy model, a colonially-imposed food system, which has exacerbated food insecurity by creating over-dependence on a small number of staples and an over-reliance on imported fertiliser, pesticide and seeds.”

“I am concerned about any initiatives that solely focus on a one-size-fits-all approach and that places an emphasis on large-scale monocropping, formal seed systems and high-tech solutions, such as climate-smart agriculture, digital and precision agriculture and chemical inputs.

“These methods are so often placed out of reach for small-scale farmers owing to their cost, threaten their autonomy and traditional practices and pose risks to the environment.”

The President acknowledged that measures of sustainability are not solely dependent on low levels of farm output, adding that intensification may be needed in some cases to boost food security.

“To increase production, there may well be [a] need in part and in special circumstances for intensification, but that intensification must be in the control of the majority, allow agency and, above all, access to land and land security for women,” he commented.

An example he gave was increases in the tillage areas of some countries which could feed into deforestation and a reduction in biodiversity.

Food waste

President Higgins also criticised the “dysfunctionality” of food systems, which allow 1.6bn tonnes of food to be wasted in the developed world where obesity levels “continue to spiral” – when UN figures class half of the global population as malnourished.

Some 2.4 billion people are experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity and 3.1 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, he said.

The UN FAO was established immediately after World War II with the objectives of eliminating hunger, improving nutrition and raising living standards, issues which President Higgins stated remain “as urgently demanding of action now” as they had been in the post-war years.

The President’s comments come weeks after he called for a ban on international arms trading and a halt to growing global military spending to fund efforts aimed at stamping out hunger and malnutrition.

## Economic Impact on Producing Countries

The rising global demand for avocados has created significant economic opportunities for producing countries, primarily in Latin America (including Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia).

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Similar to other agricultural booms, avocado farming has:

- Created employment opportunities in rural areas
- Generated valuable export revenue
- Stimulated infrastructure development in farming regions
- Provided foreign exchange earnings that can support national economies

However, this economic benefit comes with challenges.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

As highlighted in discussions about palm oil production, agricultural export booms can create economic dependencies that leave countries vulnerable to market fluctuations.

The documents note that while consumers in developed nations demand "correctly grown" food (environmentally sustainable and ethically produced), they often expect low prices, creating pressure on producers that can undermine sustainability efforts.

Title:

Content: There were 255 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 187,203 in the last 365 days.

Pledge to Protect Nature Ignores Vital Issue of Meat Reduction

SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM, November 8, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Compassion in World Farming response to announcement that 45 governments have signed pledge to protect nature.

• Compassion in World Farming is urging world leaders to properly tackle the issue of the impact of food and agriculture on climate change and launched a new report on Friday outlining the clear scientific case that without a dramatic reduction in meat and dairy consumption, we will be unable to meet the Paris Agreement climate targets

• Compassion in World Farming welcomes the announcement that governments are finally taking some action to address the issue of agriculture and its impact on climate after weeks of pressure from Compassion and other NGOs

• However, Compassion in World Farming is deeply disappointed that the vital issue of meat reduction has been completely ignored and that meat has not been mentioned at all in this 2,300 word document on sustainable food and agriculture.

Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Adviser at Compassion in World Farming, said:

“After weeks of pressure on the UK and other governments, it is a relief to see that a statement is being released by the UK with 44 other governments recognising that a quarter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) come from agriculture, forestry and other land use.

“However, the announcement completely ignores that the massive share of these GHGs - more than half – are from animal agriculture, and instead offers vague commitments to possible technical approaches such as "climate resistant crops. It should not be possible to produce 2300 words on sustainable food and agriculture without once mentioning meat – yet this agreement manages to do just that.

"The hard fact is that the world’s livestock alone produce more greenhouse gases than the direct emissions of the world’s planes, trains and cars combined - not just directly but from the forest clearances to grow food for developed nations' factory farms.

“It is a challenge we need to address head-on: in a world producing 80 billion land animals for food a year, most of them factory farmed, resetting the balance will require switching to welfare-positive, nature-friendly production with fewer animals.

“It makes absolutely no sense to commit to preserving forests on one hand and perpetuating the factory farming model that drives deforestation on the other. Governments can no longer afford to duck taking on the powerful vested interests that drive expanding factory farms and associated overconsumption of meat and dairy. We need action to reduce meat and dairy consumption, and we need it now, before it’s too late.”

To book an interview or for further information contact Compassion in World Farming’s Media Team: 01483 521 886 media.team@ciwf.org

Notes to editors:

1.Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified at the development of intensive factory farming. Today Compassion is a global movement dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food. With headquarters in the UK, we have offices across Europe, in the US, China and South Africa.
2. To find out more about Compassion in World Farming visit: www.ciwf.org
3. Click here to find out more about Compassion in World Farming’s solutions for sustainable and humane agriculture.

Media Team
Compassion in World Farming
+44 1483 521886
media.team@ciwf.org

## Environmental Concerns

### Deforestation and Land Conversion

The documents provide significant insight into deforestation concerns related to agricultural expansion, particularly through the example of palm oil in Indonesia.

Title:

Content: Supplement
Sunday WorkShop
Do you eat less palm oil to save orangutans?
Sustainable food practices also depend on the government's attitude
[Ming Pao News] Extreme weather events have become frequent, the outbreak of war has affected food supply, and the price of food oil has also been affected.
Food security has been one of the global issues in recent years. In 2015, the United Nations announced the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, one of which is to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
There is no shortage of food in the world, and we can only continue to produce to stabilize the supply. There are scholars and enterprises in Hong Kong who have developed methods to enhance fish resistance to the virus and hydroponics to improve food production.
But what role does the food supply chain play in sustainable food systems, in addition to producers, retailers and consumers, and behind them governments?
The palm oil production process is controversial
Since 1993, Hong Kong has organized a series of arts and cultural activities in connection with the French May Festival, and the French May Food Festival, which promotes French food culture, including a seminar jointly organized by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao and the Research and Innovation Office of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
When the reporter walked into the lecture hall, he saw vegan croissants, coriander and French chocolate bread, and looked at a row of neatly laid out French cuisines, which seemed only to be related to the theme of this seminar, but if you look at the materials used to make them, you know that the sustainable food system is more than just "food".
Most of the shortening ingredients used for bread contain palm oil. In addition, palm oil is also commonly used in processed products and daily necessities.
Flavia Fabiano, a researcher at the International Research Centre for Agricultural Development in France, said: “There was a boom in palm oil production in the late 1970s, especially in Europe, where palm oil is an ingredient in many processed products, such as delicious hazelnut butter, shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, etc.
She said that oil palm trees are magical oil trees that can grow easily without adding pesticides and chemicals. Small palm fruits can squeeze a lot of oil to extract, but the production process of palm oil is controversial.
Deforestation oil destroys rainforest ecology
In Indonesia, the world ’ s largest palm oil producer, some NGOs have encouraged consumers to boycott palm oil in order to produce palm oil, cut down rainforests for a long time, destroy natural ecology and the habitat of indigenous people. “Using consumer resistance as a weapon to change the system may have an impact on the business community, but in the long run it will demonize some cultures, and it is believed that palm oil production itself leads to deforestation. ” Fabiano points out that some sustainable palm oil producers, such as farmers who grow on small farms, have not been deforestation, but have been boycotted by European consumers.
Resistance to palm oil also means finding alternatives, such as soybean oil, but in order to grow soybeans, humans still have to deforestation, Fabiano said: “Instead of demonizing crops and resistance, it is better to support sustainable development, such as buying sustainable palm oil, and exercise restraint. ”
She refers to the restraint of all environmentally damaging behavior, such as eating less hazelnut butter or other processed foods, and more cycling.
These proposals sound clichéd, but they are limited measures within our reach.
Sustainable food is more than just an environmental issue
Changing consumer behavior is an important part of driving a sustainable food system, which means that consumers have to compromise their lifestyles for sustainable development? Fabiano laughs: “Don ’ t take too much responsibility, all we can do is change individual consumption behavior, we can ’ t do everything. ”
At the group or institutional level, she argues that food should be given more value, and if farmers are required to “grow it properly ” (i.e., not to damage the environment and be humane), they should not take for granted that food is always available in large quantities and of low value.
However, it seems that the development of a sustainable food system cannot be fully promoted by the people, so who is responsible? This may involve politics and economics, not just environmental issues.
China ’ s palm oil imports jumped from 1.351,000 tons in 1999 to 2.028 million tons in 2000, and then to 6.719 million tons in 2019 (before the Covid-19 pandemic), indicating that the increase in China ’ s palm oil imports was due to the Sino-US trade war, which reduced China ’ s purchases of soybeans from the United States. Fabiano said political factors will affect the development of a sustainable food system. “Soybeans and palm oil are not substitutes for each other, ” so it cannot be said that China imports more palm oil because of the trade war.
Sustainable palm oil is not recognized by Asian countries
Flavia Fabiano published his doctoral thesis Rising China and sustainable value chains: the case of palm oil.
Her research points to the failure of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) initiative to enter China. For example, in the commercial sector, a small number of multinational companies based in the Global North (developed countries) that use RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil, such as Unilever and Mars, have business in China, but they use RSPO. Demonstrating that the practice of sustainable palm oil has not been replicated by China or other Asian branches, Fabiano took the opportunity to point out Asia ’ s apathy and mistrust towards sustainable palm oil initiatives.
Fabiano also found that many of the Asian multinationals selling palm oil are run by overseas Chinese with Malaysian, Singaporean or Indonesian citizenship, who often hold Chinese passports and set up business units in places such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
For example, the Malaysian entrepreneur Guo Hannian, whose roots are in Fujian, China, founded Fung Yip International Co., Ltd., which has palm plantations and refineries in Indonesia and is the world ’ s largest palm oil supplier, seems to be impossible to ignore when discussing sustainable palm oil supply chains.
India is the largest importer of palm oil. Why does Fabiano ’ s doctoral thesis focus on China ’ s second largest importer? Fabiano specializes in political economy. She found that China ’ s sustainable palm oil development involves the participation of the central government, so she is concerned about the role of the central government in the entire sustainable palm oil supply chain. Local government, not local government.
What can the importing country do?
China does not produce palm oil, but is the world ’ s second largest palm oil importer, while Indonesia and Malaysia are the world ’ s two largest palm oil exporters.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, from July 2022 to June 2023, China imported about 6.19 million tons of palm oil; Indonesia produced about 46.5 million tons of crude palm oil in 2022, accounting for about 60% of global palm oil production in that year, of which about 3.83 million tons were exported to China.
When the reporter asked Fabiano whether China ’ s approach was to shift environmental costs to other countries, she said that was exactly the direction she wanted to continue to study, because there had been similar developments in Europe and the United States, where “they kept activities that had a positive impact, while those that had a negative impact, especially on the environment, were carried out abroad. ”
Fabiano added that China definitely has a say in sustainable supply chains, but “China is using a different approach (affecting sustainable supply chains), which is probably regional, and they will work with other Asian countries. ”
In her research, she found that palm oil trading forms part of China ’ s friendly relations with Malaysia and Indonesia. “Of course, in the framework of China ’ s strong confrontation with the United States, China is interested in developing friendly relations with its neighbors, ” and China ’ s opening of free agricultural trade, which provides large markets for other countries, is naturally a symbol of friendship. For Belt and Road Initiative partners, China may have more policy discussions with them on food security and sustainable food systems.
needs created.
Malaysia ’ s Minister of Plantation and Primary Industries, Johari Abdul Ghani, said the “Orangutan Diplomacy ” was inspired by China ’ s“ panda diplomacy ” to demonstrate Malaysia ’ s commitment to conservation and biodiversity and show that the country is a sustainable palm oil producer. In order to cultivate palm trees on agricultural land, the orangutan forests must be destroyed.
Fabiano said this may confirm her findings that it is not consumer demand that drives the palm oil culture, but that palm oil producers are trying to create demand.
She added that people generally say “we can reduce palm oil production by buying less palm oil ”, as if the market is creating demand, but she saw that Malaysia and Indonesia spend a lot of effort selling palm oil, which may reflect their“ overproduction. ” Fabiano said countries that source palm oil from Malaysia, such as China, can have regulations that would restrict companies from complying with certain standards when investing overseas. Including labour rights, environmental and social standards, and complying with corporate social responsibility codes of conduct to ensure that purchased palm oil meets sustainable production requirements.
She stressed that these measures are not completely effective, but at least they can make companies operating overseas take some responsibility and show their responsibility to the outside world.
As non-members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including Malaysia and Indonesia, become more economically integrated with China, Fabiano believes that European countries can access key partners on other environmental issues, such as India, Indonesia and Brazil, through China.
“Sometimes we put too much pressure on the development of technology that doesn ’ t need breakthrough new technologies, sometimes it can be solved by political decisions, ” she explained. That is, local governments promote sustainable development initiatives and support groups that implement them, such as organic agriculture and high-quality livestock for animal welfare, and seek international cooperation in food production and transportation. No longer pursuing monoculture.
Man Yiu Chiu-man
Everyday Better to Do Everything You Love by Mario Plechaty @ iStockphoto
{ART} CHU JIN-PUI
{edit} Wang Cuili
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Similar concerns apply to avocado production:

- Large-scale avocado farming often requires clearing new land, contributing to deforestation
- The documents note that "the world's livestock alone produce more greenhouse gases than the direct emissions of the world's planes, trains and cars combined - not just directly but from the forest clearances to grow food"
- This deforestation not only releases stored carbon but also destroys biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems

The Indonesian palm oil example demonstrates how agricultural expansion can "destroy rainforest ecology and indigenous habitats.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

" While specific data on avocado-related deforestation isn't provided in the documents, the pattern of agricultural expansion leading to environmental degradation is well-established.

Title:

Content: ×
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Weed out the invasive lantana

Historically, the lantana has existed since the 1800s and originated in tropical America. Introduced in many countries as ornamental plants, this invasive weed can take over vacuums created by intensive logging or forest fires.
Last Updated 04 March 2024, 19:57 IST

Forests cover almost one-third of the earth; they are a source of livelihood, food, and fuel and help fight climate change by acting as carbon sinks. Forests purify our air and water and help conserve biodiversity; this includes all life forms found within forests: trees, plants, animals, and micro-organisms.

According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) data, forests provide 86 million green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more around the world. The FAO states that since 1990, some 420 hectares of forest have been lost to conversion into other land uses. However, this came down from 16 million hectares per year in the 1990s to 10 million hectares per year.

A reason to celebrate? Not really, as deforestation and degradation continue, contributing to nearly 40 per cent of losses between 2000 and 2010 because of commercial expansion of agriculture, cattle grazing, logging, and the encroachment of roads into forest land, among other reasons. Additionally, the spread of invasive weeds. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 100 such species of invasive weeds in its Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) as posing “a major threat to biodiversity” and “to agriculture and other human interests.”

Interestingly, some of these invasive weeds, like the toxic ornamental plant Lantana camara (common lantana), were introduced to ecosystems or were accidents that grew to become a threat to biodiversity, changing whole habitats, travelling across the world, and thriving in new geographies. The Lantana camara, with around 650 varieties in 60 countries, has spread through Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and other regions. In many native forests, the lantana has “become the dominant understorey species, disrupting succession and decreasing biodiversity. At some sites, infestations have been so persistent that they have completely stalled the regeneration of rainforest for three decades.”

Historically, the lantana has existed since the 1800s and originated in tropical America. Introduced in many countries as ornamental plants, this invasive weed can take over vacuums created by intensive logging or forest fires. What makes its eradication difficult is that underlying seeds can germinate even after a forest fire, for the lantana can survive in drought and in almost any climatic condition.

According to reports, the invasive lantana weed has taken over 40% of India’s forests and can be found almost everywhere—on roadsides, railway lines, fields, on plains and hills—and is found across the country, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In their search for ways to control the spread of the lantana, conservationists have been working with tribal communities to help them monetize the lantana, from making wicker baskets and ornamental crafts to furniture. In the past five years, conservationists have trained about 150 Adivasis from South India to make exquisite life-size lantana elephants at The Real Elephant Collective (TREC). These efforts not only provide livelihoods for the tribals; they also help raise funds and awareness about coexistence with nature.

The Coexistence Consortium, a collective of several organisations promoting co-existence, has brought 100 life-sized lantana elephants to Bengaluru. The lantana elephants are later to be auctioned off, with proceeds going towards continued conservation work.

Although these conservation efforts are commendable, they are still not enough, given the spread of the weed across the country and the world. Conservationists have been looking at mass-scale commercial utilisation of the weed, and towards this, ongoing research has found that the lantana can be used in oil-based insecticides, as biomass energy, and as a raw material in the pulp and paper industry. In a double-edged sword, what might help eradicate the lantana is its large-scale commercialization. As conservationists reiterate, commercialization should remain the secondary goal; the primary goal should be the eradication of the invasive weed and regeneration of the forest ground lost to the weed.

As the IUCN puts it, with invasive alien species being a major focus of international cooperative conservation efforts, growing awareness will allow people and their communities to “make informed choices that will have lasting effects on their descendants.”

(The writer is a journalist and author)

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(Published 04 March 2024, 19:57 IST)

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What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

### Water Usage and Scarcity

Water usage is perhaps the most significant environmental concern associated with avocado production.

Title:

Content: CPS: Water is Life, water if food. Leave no one behind | SOUALIGA NEWSDAY

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – World Food Day (WFD) will be marked around the globe on Monday, October 16 under the theme, “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave no one behind.”

According to the United Nations (UN) Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), water is essential to life on Earth. It covers the majority of the Earth's surface, makes up over 50% of our bodies, produces our food, and supports livelihoods.

“But this precious resource is not infinite, and we need to stop taking it for granted. What we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water. Together, we can take water action for food and be the change.”

Water covers about 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface.

“Only 2.5% of water is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture, and most industrial uses. Water is a driving force for people, economies and nature and the foundation of our food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, but like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite.

“Rapid population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change are putting the planet’s water resources under increasing stress.

“At the same time, freshwater resources per person have declined 20% in the past decades and water availability and quality are deteriorating fast due to decades of poor use and management, over extraction of groundwater, pollution and climate change. We risk stretching this precious resource to a point of no return.

“Today, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries. Many are smallholder farmers who already struggle to meet their daily needs, particularly women, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees. Competition for this priceless resource is increasing as water scarcity becomes an ever-increasing cause of conflict.

“Around 600 million people who depend, at least partially, on aquatic food systems for a living are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices and climate change,” FAO said.

The FAO added that collective action across 150 countries is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar.

Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, as part of its annual public health calendar of observances, said the global message to stop taking water for granted and start improving the way we use it in our daily lives should be part of the daily routine. A few tips to be mindful of, is the scarcity of water; turn off the water tap properly; and wash your car by using a bucket of water.

CPS reminds the community that the food we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water. We can make a difference by choosing local, seasonal, and fresh foods, wasting less of it - even by reducing food waste, and finding safe ways to reuse it while preventing water pollution.

In this period of various discussions on Climate Change and Food Security, CPS calls on the community to collectively take action for the future of water, food, people, and the planet.

Source: https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=52387:second-round-of-npower-workshops-starts-with-a-full-house&Itemid=450

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

The documents emphasize that:

- "Water is essential to life on Earth.

but this precious resource is not infinite"
- "2.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

4 billion people live in water-stressed countries"
- "What we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water"

Avocados are water-intensive crops, requiring approximately 70 liters of water per fruit.

Title:

Content: To fight poverty, we need more climate action

Smallholder farmers in dry lands will bear the brunt of climate change; they need support.

With COP26 ongoing, much of the global climate discussion focuses on efforts to reduce and curb greenhouse gas emissions by turning to cleaner and more efficient energy. And rightly so – we have an opportunity to dramatically mitigate the damage that will be inflicted on our planet in the years to come.

But as we continue to witness the devastating effects of climate change play out across the world, we need to pay closer attention to the solutions that will help us adapt to changes that are already taking place – and consider how to ensure that people everywhere have access to them. The global climate crisis already impacts many people who depend on agriculture to survive.

As the world gathers for COP26, this demands urgent action.

In almost all emissions scenarios, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expects global warming to hit 1.5C in the early 2030s, and we can be certain that the impact of this change will not be felt fairly across the world. One of the most concerning outcomes of rising temperatures is the very high risk of undernutrition in communities that are dependent upon dryland agriculture.

Drylands are home to more than 2.5 billion people and cover 40 percent of the world’s land surface.

In many dryland countries, such as Botswana or Burkina Faso, populations face a large number of environmental challenges, from water scarcity and droughts to temperature extremes and floods. They are particularly vulnerable to climate change and suffer some of the largest concentrations of food insecurity and poverty in the world.

One of the most vulnerable dryland regions is Sub-Saharan Africa, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing populations, many of which have been grappling with food crises for years. Now agricultural communities in the region will feel the effects of climate change more severely than developed countries even though they have done very little to cause the problem. Some experts predict that we will see a nearly five percent decrease in agricultural production for every degree of global warming.

To avert even more serious hunger crises in the region, we need to build stronger food systems for smallholder farmers. They are the anchor for food systems that feed billions. But often they face barriers to entering or engaging effectively in markets for their agricultural production, which limits their ability to realise a profit from agriculture. Many are constrained by inadequate systems and policies that make it difficult for them to be profitable or to grow enough nutritious food. And now hundreds of millions who depend on agriculture to survive are losing their crops and livestock to a surge of climate extremes.

Investment in agricultural research and development will help provide the tools needed to adapt to changing weather patterns and build resilient food systems that can produce more and better nutrition for communities as well as greater economic stability.

While the world is developing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and best practices for climate-smart agriculture, these assets are not consistently developed or shared broadly with small-scale producers in the Global South. In fact, despite significant progress in agricultural development in recent decades, a majority of farmers on the African continent remain smallholders with limited access to critical resources, systems, services, and technologies.

Addressing the negative impact of climate change on developing countries should start with driving innovation through significant investments in agriculture research. Importantly, we must find ways to connect global innovation to local knowledge. Productivity and prosperity will be achieved through climate-smart agricultural innovation that is adapted and applied to local contexts while contributing to a growing body of evidence for transformation at scale.

And as we invest in innovation, we need to guarantee that the solutions produced are inclusive. This means ensuring small-scale producers in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions in the Global South have access to the tools that enable agricultural productivity under changing weather conditions as well as access to thriving markets. It also means a special focus on women and young people to ensure that they are empowered to contribute to the challenge as well.

Ultimately, supporting smallholder farmers will not only build more resilient food systems. It will also strengthen economies in the countries that are being left behind. Smallholder farmers provide most of the employment in fast growing regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. And agriculture is effective in reducing poverty and improving food security for 65 percent of the world’s poor, who work mainly in farming.

Empowering smallholder farmers and tackling all aspects of climate change including adaptation and resilience is of growing importance to all global partners present at COP26 today and an increasing interest for both the Qatar Fund for Development and the Gates Foundation. It will help boost the economies of the region and improve the ability to which people are able to respond and adapt to climate change. If we do not invest in inclusive adaptation solutions, we risk missing the full picture on climate, but also losing the global fight against hunger and poverty.

The views expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

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What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

In water-stressed regions where many avocados are grown, this intensive water use can:
- Deplete local water resources
- Compete with community water needs
- Exacerbate water scarcity issues
- Impact other agricultural activities

The documents note that water scarcity is "an ever-increasing cause of conflict," highlighting the social tensions that can arise from intensive water use for export crops.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

### Other Environmental Impacts

Beyond deforestation and water use, avocado production can lead to:
- Soil degradation and erosion
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Carbon emissions from transportation to global markets

The documents note that "intensive use of agrochemicals—i.

e.

pesticides and fertilisers—has become the norm to ramp up production," with potential negative impacts on ecosystems and human health.

## Social Effects on Local Communities

The social impacts of rising avocado demand on producing communities are complex:

### Positive Effects

- Employment creation in rural areas
- Improved infrastructure in farming regions
- Potential for technology transfer and improved farming practices
- Economic development in previously marginalized areas

### Negative Effects

- Displacement of small-scale farmers and indigenous communities
- Concentration of land ownership and wealth
- Water conflicts between agricultural operations and local communities
- Labor issues and working conditions in large-scale operations
- Food security concerns when land previously used for local food production is converted to export crops

The documents note that "600 million people who depend, at least partially, on aquatic food systems for a living are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices and climate change.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

labor exploitation
displacement of local communities
land grabbing

" While not specific to avocados, this highlights how environmental degradation from agricultural expansion can impact communities dependent on natural resources.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities

## Sustainable Alternatives and Solutions

### Sustainable Farming Practices

The documents suggest several approaches to more sustainable agriculture:
- Supporting certified sustainable production (similar to sustainable palm oil initiatives)
- Implementing water-efficient irrigation techniques
- Using integrated pest management to reduce chemical inputs
- Maintaining biodiversity within farming landscapes

### Consumer Choices and Impact

As a conscious consumer, your choices can make a difference:
- Seek out avocados from certified sustainable sources
- Consider seasonal and local options when available
- Be mindful of overall consumption patterns
- Support companies and brands committed to sustainable practices

The documents note that "consumer behavior change is an important part of promoting sustainable food systems," but also caution against placing too much responsibility on individual consumers: "Don't take on too much responsibility, we can only change our individual consumption behavior, we can't do everything.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

local sourcing
sustainable agricultural techniques

"

### Policy Recommendations

Systemic change requires policy interventions:
- Regulations to prevent deforestation for agricultural expansion
- Water management policies that balance agricultural needs with community requirements
- Support for small-scale farmers and sustainable farming methods
- International cooperation on sustainable agricultural standards

The documents suggest that "achieving dramatic reductions in animal product consumption will require policy changes and other interventions, such as information campaigns, programs to serve plant-based products in schools, and taxation of high-emission foods.

Title:

Content: Studies & Numbers

Study: Replacing Half of Animal Foods With Alternatives Could Almost Halt Deforestation

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A new study published in Nature Communications has found that replacing half of the animal foods consumed worldwide with plant-based meat and dairy alternatives could have significant environmental benefits.

The research suggests that net forest loss could be “almost fully halted” if this change is made, with greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and land use declining by 31% in 2050 compared to 2020. In this scenario, around 653 Mha of agricultural land could be spared and restored to forest, doubling climate benefits. Furthermore, water use could be reduced by 10%.

Replacing 50% of animal foods with plants could also reduce the rate of biodiversity loss from 2.1% to 0.9% by 2050. If 90% of animal foods were replaced, biodiversity loss would actually reverse between 2030 and 2040.

Environmental impacts would vary considerably between regions; in the 50% scenario, China alone would be responsible for a quarter of the abandoned cropland, along with 20% of the reductions in water and nitrogen use. Sub-Saharan Africa would have the greatest potential to halt the loss of forests and natural land, accounting for 37% of the global reduction in land conversion. This region, along with China and Southeast Asia, would also see the greatest drop in biodiversity loss.

However, the researchers note that achieving these dramatic reductions in animal product consumption will require policy changes and other interventions, such as information campaigns, programs to serve plant-based products in schools, and taxation of high-emission foods.

“Creating space for nature”

Countless studies have now emphasized the environmental benefits of plant-based diets, with research published in July finding that vegan diets could slash emissions and land use by 75%. Meanwhile, water use could be cut by 54%, wildlife destruction by 66%, and methane production by a huge 93%.

July also saw the publication of a scientific report requested by the European Commission, which described cutting down on animal foods as a “key mitigation option” for climate change and recommended that Europeans eat “as little animal products as possible”. In February, GFI published two reports finding that alternative proteins could significantly reduce land use and halt biodiversity loss.

“We need to see a shift towards plant-based and cultivated meat, which use far less land and can help satisfy the rising demand for meat while creating space for nature,” said Linus Pardoe, UK policy manager at GFI Europe.

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" Similar approaches could be applied to promote sustainable avocado production.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

## Conclusion

The rising global demand for avocados presents both opportunities and challenges for producing countries.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

While it offers significant economic benefits, it also raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding deforestation and water use, and complex social issues for local communities.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

As a vegan concerned about the impact of your food choices, you can take several steps to align your avocado consumption with your values:

1.

Research the sources of your avocados and choose suppliers committed to sustainable practices
2.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Consider moderating consumption if appropriate for your dietary needs
3.

Support broader initiatives for sustainable agriculture and fair trade
4.

Title:

Content: Living With Climate Change

Opinion: Feeding people on this warming Earth requires future-proofing our agri-food systems. Here’s how.

Scientists are already identifying genes associated with drought response in crops and plants, helping mobilize genetics for climate resilience

These days, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. A worsening regional conflict in Ukraine, overlain onto a lingering pandemic, threatens a cascading humanitarian crisis across continents. The latest climate science confirms that we are now living with the dire climate predictions made in preceding decades. Fear of an uncertain future is testing the shared values that built and maintain the global institutions that safeguard our collective security. All of these pressures are bearing down with unprecedented force on our agriculture and food systems – a terrifying prospect that should drive us to invest now in solving the problems of tomorrow.

When world leaders gathered last year at the United Nations Food Systems Summit, they issued a global call to transform our agri-food systems to be more healthy, inclusive and resilient. Many strategies were conceived to incentivize climate-smart food production and sustainable diets by shifting public policies, value chains, and financial flows. Agricultural innovation was heralded as an essential accelerator toward a healthier and fairer future.

Yet, greatly increased investment in the systems underpinning agricultural innovation is required if we are to tackle climate change, address hunger and malnutrition, and revive rural livelihoods. Our existing model of funding agricultural research and development (R&D) is not up to the task and the global R&D gap is substantial. Offsetting adverse climate change impacts on agriculture may require an 118% increase above baseline public R&D expenditure. In the Global South, there is an estimated R&D finance gap of $15.2 billion per year to 2030 for achieving hunger and climate goals and low-income countries are at high risk of losing further ground as ‘scientific have-nots.’

Not only do we need more, and more balanced, investment in agri-food system R&D, we need a more participatory model that leverages collaborative knowledge systems. Today, drawing on the collective power of international research networks, scientists are already using environmental site information to identify genes associated with drought response in specific contexts, helping mobilize genetics for climate resilience. Research groups are bridging the gap between technology development and farm-level innovation through new research in farm systems, value chains, and decision-making and incentives. Local communities and value chain actors are co-designing and rapidly prototyping solutions to local challenges with support from governments and leading researching centers, like the partnership between Mexico and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in the hub-based MasAgro program.

We can do more to unleash the knowledge and creativity of the research community. Many people focus on ‘success stories’ of breakthrough technologies, but it is stakeholder-engaged R&D that allows innovation to take hold on farms and within communities and sectors. We must go beyond introducing innovation through unilateral action to embracing collaborative, research-based action by diverse stakeholders.

The experienced scientists within national and international agricultural research institutions are well positioned to support locally-led agricultural innovation. When agriculture stakeholders participate in R&D, scientists can work with them to test new technologies and practices and find those that make a meaningful difference under local conditions. In-region researchers are well-versed in ‘learning by doing’ through continuous iteration of participatory research, testing, validation, and scaling.

To more precisely identify critical intervention points and viable solutions, we need to double-down on coordination among scientists, farmers and other agri-food system actors. Policy makers and business leaders are essential to agri-food system transformation, yet they commonly lack the necessary information and decision tools to take strategic action within complex, dynamic situations. Through scenario-based methodologies, scientists and their public and private sector partners are leveraging data and models to develop multi-partner strategic and tactical plans and investment strategies that should clearly identify public and private complementary investments.

Our research institutions are evolving to deliver future-focused R&D, but must accelerate their adoption of fundamentally new approaches alongside existing capabilities. In the wake of WW II, the world recognized that investing in science is a cornerstone of prosperity. Looking back at seventy-five years of incredible scientific achievements, priorities are shifting from increasing commodity production and meeting caloric needs to propelling sustainability, inclusion, and equity through agri-food system innovation.

The most powerful solutions will emerge from integrated systems approaches and a paradigm shift from efficiency to resilience. Food security threats emerging from the Ukraine crisis demand that we think and act with both the near- and long-term in mind. Immediate crisis response requires skillfully deployed, coordinated policy measures that increase food production and access. As we work to stabilize food supplies, we must also speed up our transition toward agri-food system resilience through investments ranging from well-functioning value chains and agronomic support systems to agricultural diversification and gender empowerment.

Future-proofing is no longer optional. We are in unfamiliar terrain, confronting more unpredictable crises, and navigating more difficult tradeoffs. Our planet is facing degrading agro-ecosystems, increasing pest and disease pressure, and climatic volatility. Future stability and prosperity demands that we deepen our commitment to collaborative innovation focused on future-proofing our agri-food systems.

The multiplying effects of the Ukraine crisis and the covid-19 pandemic have revealed the scale of volatility and disruption of the world as it is now. The research and development communities must move beyond incremental, siloed progress toward transformative, integrative R&D. Every short-term step we take can be seen as a down payment for the longer term.  We can no longer be satisfied with solving yesterday’s problems tomorrow. We need to solve tomorrow’s problems today.

Elizabeth Cousens is the United Nations Foundation’s third President and Chief Executive Officer leading the Foundation’s next generation of work to support the United Nations.

Bram Govaerts is director general of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and a professor at large at Cornell University.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Advocate for policies that address the environmental and social impacts of agricultural production

The documents emphasize that sustainable food systems require collective action across all levels—from individual consumers to international organizations.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

By making informed choices and supporting systemic change, you can enjoy avocados as part of your vegan diet while minimizing harm to the planet and communities that produce them.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?


I don't know.

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Scrumbles Chicken With Salmon Dry Cat Food 750G

£7.50

£10.00/kg

Scrumbles Ckn With Salmon Dry Cat Food 750g Good Food Shouldn't Cost the Earth!I mean what's the point! If we eat well at the expense of our precious planet, we won't be here for long. We take care to tread lightly with conscious decisions like manufacturing locally and choosing eco packaging. 1% of our sales are donated to environmental and social causes and this mono PE bag is 100% Recyclable uses up to 16% less fossil fuels, 26% less water use and 21% reduced greenhouse gas emissions vs other non recyclable bags.Beyond the BowlWe're committed to helping those who need us most and work closely with animal charities donating food and funds.Learn more at SCRUMBLES.COM1% for the PlanetWe take care to tread gently on the planet, reducing our food miles by manufacturing locally and donating 1% of our turnover to environmental and social causes.
Gut Friendly ProbioticsWe've squeezed in 1 billion live bacteria to aid digestion, support the immune system and help form pickupable poops.Proper IngredientsMade with natural ingredients, our hypoallergenic recipes are free from common allergens like gluten, soy & dairy. We stand firmly against nonsense like added sugars, salts and artificial B.SLots of MeatCats are obligate carnivores and need animal protein to thrive. That's why we pack our recipes with highly digestible meat and avoid difficult to digest pea protein.Extra GoodiesWe've added cranberries believed to support a healthy urinary tract and optimal levels of omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and coat.
We've Declared War on Poos.In our search to solve our pets' tummy troubles, we found good health starts in the gut. we quit our jobs to create delicious recipes using natural, wholesome ingredients perfect for sensitive stomachs that get the wiggle of approval from our chief tasters Smudge & Boo.
Good Inside OutProbiotics for Gut Health
Pack size: 750G
We've added cranberries believed to support a healthy urinary tract and optimal levels of omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and coat

Ingredients

69% Chicken (33% Dehydrated Chicken, 26% Freshly Prepared Chicken*, 7% Chicken Fat*, 3% Chicken Stock), 21% Rice*, 4% Dehydrated Salmon*, 2.5% Dried Alfalfa*, 2% Salmon Oil*, Vitamins & Minerals, 0.4% Dried Cranberry*, 0.07% Dried Carrot*, 0.015% Yucca, Dried Spearmint, *Natural ingredients

Allergy Information

Made on a site which handles Grains

Net Contents

750g

Preparation and Usage

Every cat is different but here is a guide based on typical activity levels. Head over to scrumbles.co.uk to use our hand feeding calculator for more weights and a tailored guide. Fresh water should be available at all times.New to Scrumbles? We suggest a gradual change over 7-10 daysThis complete meal is all your cat needs. If you like to give treats, please feed a little bit less.Cat Weight: 2 - 3 Kg; Dozer Indoor cats: Food Per day - 29 - 39g; Adventurer Active Cats: Food Per Day - 44 - 58gCat Weight: 3 - 4 Kg; Dozer Indoor cats: Food Per day - 39 - 48g; Adventurer Active Cats: Food Per Day - 58 - 71gCat Weight: 4 - 5 Kg; Dozer Indoor cats: Food Per day - 48 - 56g; Adventurer Active Cats: Food Per Day - 71 - 84gCat Weight: 5 - 6 Kg; Dozer Indoor cats: Food Per day - 56 - 63g; Adventurer Active Cats: Food Per Day - 84 - 95gCat Weight: 6 - 7 Kg; Dozer Indoor cats: Food Per day - 63 - 71g; Adventurer Active Cats: Food Per Day - 95 - 106g

View all Cat Dry Food & Cat Biscuits

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