Sus Sustainability ainability Information, ideas and activities - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Sus Sustainability ainability

Information, ideas and activities for lessons

Lesson Content

• What is sustainable farming?
• Carbon footprints and food miles
• The environmental impact of potatoes
• Seasonality
• Sustainable potato farming

Activity Ideas

• Ready Steady Cook seasonal challenge
• Creating a sustainable dish
• New report on sustainable farming

Sus Sustainable ainable Farming Farming

The production of crops using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare

Sus Sustainability ainability

Carbon Footprint

• The amount of carbon dioxide produced during

the production and distribution of a product

• Carbon footprint for potatoes = 180g per kg

which is much lower than many other crops

Food miles

• How far a food has travelled
• 80% of potatoes eaten

in GB are grown in Britain

Sus Sustainability ainability

• Potatoes are

considered to be a sustainable carbohydrate with a very low environmental impact

Sus Sustainability ainability

Environmental Impact

The impac The impact of seasonality t of seasonality

• Eating food in season improves its carbon

footprint – Locally grown, not imported – No need for storage to extend the life of the food

• Temperature, humidity and CO2 levels all

need to be controlled in storage

• Differences in climate between Cornwall and

Scotland mean we can eat seasonal potatoes for more of the year

Sus Sustainability ainability

Sustainable potato farming: challenges

Global warming and climate change are unpredictable Crops could be threatened by:

• Reduced or

increased rainfall

• Extreme events
• Higher energy and

materials costs

Potato breeders try to create new varieties that will cope with challenging conditions

Sustainability Sustainability

Choose varieties to improve yield and reduce waste Use fuel-efficient tractors Limit use of fertiliser Save water by measuring and applying exact amount Collect winter rainwater for irrigation Reduce electricity used for storage Produce renewable energy on the farm Use waste products to generate

• electricity. Potatoes can be

fermented to produce a biogas Reduce waste at every stage Keep crops healthy Use pest controls with fewer chemicals Plant correctly so potatoes grow underground and not near the surface Carefully handle the potatoes once harvested to avoid damage Use all potatoes (lowest quality used for animal feed) Filter water used to wash potatoes for reuse, and return soil residue to farm Surplus potatoes to make potato starch, used to make recyclable and compostable plastic film for packaging

Sustainability Sustainability

Sustainable potato farming: Changes