Food production is one of the most important activities in ensuring global environmental sustainability. Most of the lands in the globe are used in the production of food and this raises concerns about the sustainability of the environment. As a result, it is important for population changes that affect the patterns of food production to interact with the environment, socio-economic development and agriculture. This essay is going to analyze the contribution of food in ensuring the sustainability of the environment (Popov, p. 82). The increasing world population has created a problem in terms of food production. As a result, more land and resources are required for the production of food. This has created a lot of concerns in that land that would have been used for environmental conservation is now set aside for food production (Lawrence, p. 76). Food could now be used in planning and act as vegetation in the environment. Many scientists fear that food production will be a major threat to the environment leading to substantial destruction of the environment. Moreover, the destruction of the environment will affect the climate which is necessary for food production.
The increased demand for food globally has created issues for landscape designers whereby they have to grapple with issues dealing with food production and environmental sustainability. As a result, landscape designers have come up with various means of ensuring that food crops are utilized in landscaping activities. Some of the issues that have been raised from different quarters surround the issue of whether land should be set aside for environmental protection or for it to be used for food production (Popov, p. 77). Food systems in the world rely on different approaches to tackle food insecurity while at the same time ensuring a proper supply of food. An environmental designer has to therefore make prudent plans in ensuring that food security is maintained while the environment is protected (Lawrence, p. 92). Different approaches have to be used by environmental designers in the current world. Some of these approaches include intercropping food crops with natural vegetation. For instance, in Kenya environmentalists in conjunction with different farmers have adopted a garden system whereby farmers grow their crops alongside trees. As a result, food security is ensured while at the same time the environment is protected.
Environmental designers have to conduct extensive studies and come up with strategies that ensure food production does not threaten environmental sustainability. Moreover, the quality of food that is to be produced has to be improved. Due to this, an environmental designer has the role of ensuring a variety of food crops are used in environmental sustainability possible. Several food crops such as fruits could be mixed with growing vegetation to provide a healthy food system (Popov, p. 98). An environmental designer has the potential of contributing to healthy food systems through the development of sustainable food production. Food production can be sustainable only if the environment, climate and land are utilized appropriately. An environment designer should plan for the growth of food crops that do not have adverse effects on the environment (Lawrence, p. 103). One of the best techniques that could lead to healthy food systems is the consolidation of small lands in highly populated regions. Consolidation of land leads to effective food production leading to the promotion of healthy food systems. Huge populations can be fed from consolidated lands while at the same time the environment is protected from destruction.
Works Cited
- Lawrence, Geoffrey, Lyons Kristen and Wallington, Tabatha. Food security, nutrition and sustainability. Chicago, IL: John Wiley and Sons, 2009. Print.
- Popov, Victor and Carmel, Brebbia. Food and Environment: The Quest for a Sustainable Future. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.