Climate adaptation imperatives: global sustainability trends and eco-efficiency metrics in four major crops – canola, cotton, maize, and soybeans

Gustafson, David I.; Collins, Maxwell D.; Fry, Jonna; Smith, S. P.; Matlock, Marty; Zilberman, David; Shryock, Jereme J.; Doane, Michael J.; Ramsey, Nathan

doi:10.1080/14735903.2013.846017

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…An example of such an approach using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling for a number of particular foods was recently reported by a multi-partner collaborative effort, the World Food LCA Database [34]. Based on current global data availability and our previous LCA modeling work [35], we are specifying four eco-efficiency indicators: GHG Emissions, Net Freshwater Withdrawals, Non-Renewable Energy Use, and Land Use, all on a per capita basis. When applied at the national level as they are here, these indicators refer to all food system activities that take place within that country's borders, except for the GHG emissions and non-renewable energy use associated with movement (though not the production) of exported food, which are both allocated to the ultimate importing country.…”

Section: Ecosystem Stabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security

et al. 2016

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Sustainability considerations have been absent from most food security assessments conducted to date, despite the tremendous economic, environmental, and social implications of meeting accelerating food demand in the face of water shortages and climate change. In addition, previous food security work has generally focused only on achieving adequate calories, rather than addressing dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy, both of which are critical to maintaining a healthy overall nutritional status. In response to the limitations of previous assessments, a new methodology is proposed here based on the concept of "sustainable nutrition security" (SNS). This novel assessment methodology is intended to remedy both kinds of deficiencies in the previous work by defining seven metrics, each based on a combination of multiple indicators, for use in characterizing sustainable nutrition outcomes of food systems: (1) food nutrient adequacy; (2) ecosystem stability; (3) food affordability and availability; (4) sociocultural wellbeing; (5) food safety; (6) resilience; and (7) waste and loss reduction. Each of the metrics comprises multiple indicators that are combined to derive an overall score (0-100). A novel SNS assessment methodology based on these metrics can be deployed by decision-makers and investors to set meaningful goals, track progress, and evaluate the potential impact of food system interventions intended to improve sustainability and human nutrition outcomes.

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Section: Ecosystem Stabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security

et al. 2016

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“…Recent metrics that were developed for sustainable intensification are particularly useful when they go beyond the original efficiency-focused framework and emphasize various aspects of sustainability. Other useful frameworks include measuring environmental impacts on a yield-scaled basis [70] and assorted "eco-efficiency metrics" [71] that integrate multiple criteria that are related to sustainability and productivity [72,73]. However, the strengthening of this debate must continue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reframing the Debate Surrounding the Yield Gap between Organic and Conventional Farming

Wilbois

Schmidt

2019

Agronomy

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In this article, we review the literature regarding the yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture and then reflect on the corresponding debate on whether or not organic farming can feed the world. We analyze the current framework and highlight the need to reframe the yield gap debate away from “Can organic feed the world?” towards the more pragmatic question, “How can organic agriculture contribute to feeding the world?”. Furthermore, we challenge the benchmarks that are used in present yield comparison studies, as they are based on fundamentally distinct paradigms of the respective farming methods, and then come up with a novel model to better understand the nature of yield gaps and the benchmarks that they are premised on. We thus conclude that, by establishing appropriate benchmarks, re-prioritizing research needs, and focusing on transforming natural resources rather than inputs, organic systems can raise their yields and play an ever-greater role in global sustainable agriculture and food production in the future.

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“…Water consumption per unit of cotton production increased in locations with low agricultural intensification during 2000-2010 (REF. 23 ). Conversely, water consumption is decreasing in locations with high or medium degrees of agricultural intensification 23 .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…23 ). Conversely, water consumption is decreasing in locations with high or medium degrees of agricultural intensification 23 . These decreases are enabled by mechanization and technology adoption, such as drip irrigation, which is also reflected in increased water-use efficiency and water productivity (two similar concepts related to production-based water use).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental impacts of cotton and opportunities for improvement

Zhang,

Huang,

Yao

et al. 2023

Nat Rev Earth Environ

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Cotton-supplying approximately a quarter of global textile fibres-has various environmental impacts, including water use, toxicity, eutrophication, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this Review, we identify these global impacts across multiple life cycle stages. Environmental impacts at the cultivation stage depend on levels of irrigation, pesticide, and fertilizer applications. At the textile manufacturing stage, impacts depend on energy infrastructure and manufacturing technologies. At the use phase, consumer habits related to buying, washing, drying, and ironing play a role. Depending on the impact category and country, either cotton cultivation, manufacturing, or use can dominate such impacts. For example, the use phase dominates greenhouse gas emissions in countries with carbon-intensive energy grids. Use of alternative fibres has the potential to reduce these environmental impacts, particularly jute and flax, which have much lower water demands.Opportunities for farmers, manufacturers, and consumers to improve the environmental sustainability of cotton textiles include, among others, improving water use efficiency in agriculture, innovative recycling, and laundering less frequently. Future cotton sustainability assessments are needed to fill data gaps related to developing and emerging countries, the number of uses of a cotton garment, further environmental impacts like salinization, as well as socio-economic impacts.

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Climate adaptation imperatives: global sustainability trends and eco-efficiency metrics in four major crops – canola, cotton, maize, and soybeans

Cited by 16 publications

References 21 publications

Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security

Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security

Reframing the Debate Surrounding the Yield Gap between Organic and Conventional Farming

Environmental impacts of cotton and opportunities for improvement

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