Introduction
The new century, a number of socio-economic and environmental issues face humanity owing to the developments in the technology sector. Technology seems to have affected seriously on the life of individuals to an extent of destroying the very survival in society. The level of industrial development has ensured that humanity shifts from traditional ways of production to the modern techniques of production, inspired by technology.
Due to agricultural developments, food supply is no longer an issue in most parts of the world. However, humanity is faced with a serious problem concerning improper disposal of waste resulting from economic activities. Due to this, nature has been destroyed meaning that the waters and air is no longer safe.
Because of these activities, sustainable development and the survival of humankind are at risk. The new changes show that there has been a major revolution in the way food products are generated. The changes have affected negatively the environment hence causing a conflict between humanity and nature. For there to be sustainable economic development, food production should be improved to comply with the requirements of the environment (Atkinson, Dietz, & Neumayer, 2007).
In the mid 20th century, many countries were able to solve the problems associated with food shortages. The green revolution ensured economies produce enough food. However, the green revolution came in with new challenges, which have complicated the health conditions of many people.
The overdependence on commercial techniques and inadequate farming methods have led to soil erosion, reduced, land productivity and soil hardening. The use of harmful chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides have led to the formation of poisonous residues that affect the quality of food produced. Due to these problems, governments have embarked on serious missions to find solutions to these problems.
This paper aims at highlighting these problems in detail and suggesting ways through which sustainable development could be achieved in the food area.
Ways through which sustainable Development can be achieved in the food area
In the US, it is approximated that over twenty five percent of food bought by customers in the restaurants is thrown away. A number of studies have been conducted to establish ways through waste food could be managed. One of the techniques is by tracking the post-consumer waste. Studies indicate that the system of waste management is very effective, particularly in big restaurants.
This could be achieved through coming up with an automated scale, as well as tracking programs including Value Waste Tracker device (Mason, & Singer, 2006). The device can easily provide information on regarding the food not consumed by the customer in the restaurant. Furthermore, the device can provide information on the type of food not taken up by consumers. The information provided by the device can be put into effective use.
For instance, the restaurant can make changes to its menu to ensure that the food provided is consumed maximally. Additionally, restaurants can as well reduce the quantity of food packed or even change the packaging altogether. If this technique is employed, restaurants can even make additional profits and reduce the costs of preparing food that would not be consumed.
Another technique through which restaurants can employ to achieve sustainable development in the industry is the compositing technique. Composting is technique that uses end-of-the-pipe technology to manage waste products in big restaurants. Even though the technique is complex and expensive, restaurants have no option but to employ it in case they want to solve the problem of waste.
In fact, the technology is controlled by governmental agencies in some parts of the world such as the US. Efficient food-scrap composting is exercised at the kitchen, together with the pre-consumer food waste. For the technique to be successful, hotel managers and other stakeholders in the restaurant industry are to seek partnership with other agencies such as the local food composters.
Organic waste products include materials made from plant and animal products. Moreover, such products may include degradable or compostable manufactured products such as soiled paper materials and recyclable cups, spoons, plates and mugs. Such waste materials could be managed through coming up with a recycling program.
The process of recycling degradable waste products is very easy and is relatively cheap as compared to other techniques. In the US, some restaurants such as Rockfish in Annapolis, MD and Elevation Burger in Falls Church, VA, have come up with a program that urges the locals to dispose the materials at defined places. Such materials are then collected and are recycled at no extra cost.
Through the program, the restaurants in the US educate members of the public to dispose the waste products in the bins provided. However, this is not an easy process since it would cost the restaurant in terms of raising awareness and educating members of the public. Composting is a valued technique because the products of the process improve the soil productivity. Moreover, the products from the composite can be used as manure.
Problems Hindering Sustainable Development in the Food Area
In the world, the US is the leading producer of food waste, followed by Australia. Unfortunately, the two leading producers of food waste have problems related to waste management and disposal. The amount of waste disposed in the environment means the society is far from attaining sustainable development. The major challenge facing agencies in charge of environment and waste management is the soaring population growth.
Major cities in the world are unable to provide adequate food waste management services due to huge populations. In developed countries, simple techniques of waste management are no longer applicable because of the rate at which food is consumed. The rate is too high calling for news of disposing waste materials. In the new world driven by technological advancements, finding a lasting solution towards food waste management while at the same maintaining the high standards of life is not a simple issue for many governments.
In the developed world, it is approximated that each person produces at least three kilograms of food waste each day. The food waste materials can be different forms meaning it can be in solid form, liquid form or even gaseous form. With the increasing population and improved standards of leaving, the society is faced with a problem of finding the most effective method of waste disposal and management.
For a human society to continue living peacefully that is, without heath complications, waste must be disposed of in an orderly manner. Research shows that the increase in waste levels affects the health condition of a particular society negatively. Some of the waste generated through food products is non-degradable.
The governmental agencies have tried to sensitize the community on the dangers of improper waste disposal but the rate at which waste is produced is not declining at all, particularly in Australia and the US. Research shows that waste generation in the developed countries grew by thirty percent between the year 1998 and the year 2002. Disposing of solid waste, especially household waste has not been addressed fully in the country.
Many individuals are used to dumping such waste products in landfills, which is very dangerous to human health. The society is therefore faced with a challenge of finding an alternative dumping technique that is sustainable. The use of landfills is not sustainable because it only solves short-term problems. In big cities, such as Sydney Australia, the use of landfills has generated a heated debate over the management of waste.
Some suggest that the city management needs to come up a new dumping site while others thing the city council should come with a new system of waste management. Finding a different dumpsite would not solve the issue because the site would one day fill up. In this regard, some abandoned places such as the old mining sites are suggested as alternative places to dump the waste. This would only increase the risk of contracting disease because the city has already a high ecological footprint.
Regarding the issue of liquid food waste, the world major cities do not have effective management systems. Liquid waste materials include sewage effluents and household food materials that are produced through dishwashing. In some cases, the liquid waste is produced by big restaurants, especially those specializing in manufacturing juices. Such food waste materials are toxic and are harmful to human health.
In many cities, liquid waste materials are disposed of in rivers without proper treatment hence posing a health threat to aquatic life. Studies show that a very small percentage of such waste materials are recycled meaning that a large percentage, over 99%, is released to the environment untreated.
In some cities, environmental agencies have suggested a number of ways through which liquid waste materials could be treated before being disposed. In some cases, the drinking water might mix with the toxic substances, which would lead to outbreak of waterborne diseases (Daly, & Cobb 1989). The issue of waste treatment has received attention in the past few years due to this fact.
Studies show that the main problem facing humanity is the disposal of solid waste materials. Solid waste materials such as paper bags, plastic bottles, fishing materials and other materials made of polythene are frequently disposed in oceans and seas. The marine life is tampered with through disposal of solid waste in the oceans. The aquatic animals can easily suffocate or even die in case they are exposed to plastic materials.
Consumption of certain foods has led to high levels of atmospheric ravage. The greenhouse gases are dangerous to our environment yet there is no specific technique that can be employed to solve this problem. Many individuals are tempted to think that air pollution does not pose any threat to human life.
Since air pollution is not visible, it does not mean that it is safe. In fact, air pollution is very dangerous because it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, leading to global warming. Most foods are prepared using gas energy, which is a non-renewable form of energy. The main problem concerning waste disposal is the conceptualization of the process.
The society does not have an established system of waste production and disposal. The existing production and disposal techniques are unsustainable. The society thinks that waste cannot harm the health of an individual, especially when it is kept far away from human populations.
Solution
A number of options exist as regards to waste management. The main approach towards achieving sustainable development in the food area is changing our perception towards waste management. The society should be made to believe that proper waste management would lead to healthy living; it would re-establish biodiversity and improve the quality of land, air, and water. The focus ought to be on sustainability meaning the target is to minimize waste production.
This would be achieved through employing the techniques earlier discussed in this text. Generally, waste recovery would be the best option, including recycling, reducing production and reusing the already produced waste. Ecological sustainability philosophies aim at reducing the conflict between humans and the environment. In case human beings do not take care of nature, nature will destroy them. At a lower level, families need to be encouraged to recycle things such as paper, plastic bottles, and food leftovers.
The leftovers could be used to manufacture animal feeds. At a higher level, the governmental agencies need to come up with an idea concerning recycling of wastewater (Clarke, & King, 2006). In some parts of the world, recycling of wastewater has been successful, even though it is opposed in certain cities, particularly in Australia. It should be noted that sustainable development could not be achieved without an affirmative action, which can be either voluntary or sanctioned by the court.
References
Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., & Neumayer, E. (2007). Handbook of Sustainable Development. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Clarke, R., & King, J. (2006). The Atlas of Water. London: Earthscan.
Daly, H., & Cobb, J. (1989). For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community, the Environment and a Sustainable Future. Boston: Beacon Press.
Mason, J., & Singer, P. (2006). The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter. London: Random House.