HABITAT LOSS & BIODIVERSITY
Around 50% of the world's habitatble land has already been converted to farming land. Natural habitats will continue to be converted for agricultural use, which will lead to habitat loss. Habitat loss is a main threat to 85% of threatened and endangered species in IUCN's Red List.
The current agricultural situation is harmful to the habitats. Pesticides and fertilizers (which cause eutrophication) also negatively affect natural habitats, while unsustainable farming practices cause desrtification. With habitats harmed and destroyed, biodiversity is decreasing.
In Indonesia, lowland rainforests are converted to oil palm plantations, and animals like the orangutans are losing their natural habitats.
The current agricultural situation is harmful to the habitats. Pesticides and fertilizers (which cause eutrophication) also negatively affect natural habitats, while unsustainable farming practices cause desrtification. With habitats harmed and destroyed, biodiversity is decreasing.
In Indonesia, lowland rainforests are converted to oil palm plantations, and animals like the orangutans are losing their natural habitats.
Orang-utans are the world's largest tree-climbing mammals. But their forest habitat in Indonesia and Malaysia is rapidly disappearing, putting the future of Asia's only great ape in peril." - WWF |
Urban agriculture can counter this phenomenon: instead of using natural habitats, it uses unused city spaces to provide food. It'll leave more area for natural and wildlife reserves, crucial for biodiversity conservation.
TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Our current food system is energy inefficient. More and more energy is being used to produce, process, packaging, and distributing food. Because food suppliers are far way from their urban consumers, packaging and processing becomes crucial for preventing food from spoiling. However, this uses a considerable amount of energy and creates waste. The long distance between suppliers, processors, packagers, and consumers create the need for transportation, which creates energy efficiency in the process. Storage and refrigeration also uses energy. The fossil fuels used for energy can pollute and cause climate change.
Urban agriculture is more efficient. Because the foods are closer to the consumer, less energy is used for transportation. Packaging and processing becomes less important since consumers can just get it fresh, saving energy and resources. People are enjoying fresher foods through urban farming while also decreasing their carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Urban agriculture is more efficient. Because the foods are closer to the consumer, less energy is used for transportation. Packaging and processing becomes less important since consumers can just get it fresh, saving energy and resources. People are enjoying fresher foods through urban farming while also decreasing their carbon footprint and environmental impact.