Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels are integral to our daily lives, from fuelling our commutes to keeping our lights on. However, their presence is also deeply embedded in our food systems, powering everything from farm to table. The global food system is responsible for at least 15% of worldwide fossil fuel use annually, with industrial agriculture relying on nitrogen fertilizers, petroleum-based agricultural chemicals, irrigation pumps, diesel machinery, and oil for food distribution. This has led to a situation where, in some cases, our food contains more fossil fuel calories than nutritional calories. With the finite nature of fossil fuels and their significant contribution to climate change, there is a pressing need to transition to renewable energy sources and more sustainable agricultural practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuels used in food production | Nitrogen fertilizers, petroleum-based agricultural chemicals, irrigation pumps, diesel for machinery, and oil for food distribution |
| Food systems' contribution to fossil fuel use | At least 15% of worldwide fossil fuel use annually |
| Fossil fuel use in food vs. nutritional calories | In some cases, food contains more "fossil fuel calories" than nutritional calories |
| Impact of fossil fuels on climate change | Fossil fuel use is the biggest driver of climate change, with food systems contributing significantly |
| Alternatives to fossil fuels in food production | Biofuels (e.g., corn and maize), biomaterials (e.g., livestock manure), and on-farm renewable energy sources (e.g., small-scale hydropower and solar farming) |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuels are used in industrial agriculture for machinery, irrigation, and distribution
- Food production is dependent on fossil fuels, from farm to table
- Fossil fuel calories in food often exceed nutritional calories
- Fossil fuels are used in the production of fertilisers and pesticides
- Fossil fuel use in food production contributes to climate change
Fossil fuels are used in industrial agriculture for machinery, irrigation, and distribution
Fossil fuels are integral to industrial agriculture, playing a significant role in machinery, irrigation, and distribution. The food system's heavy reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in a higher number of fossil fuel calories than nutritional calories in our meals. For instance, in Slovenia, 7 calories of fossil fuel are required to provide just 1 calorie of meat consumed.
In industrial agriculture, crops are dependent on large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers, which are produced using substantial amounts of natural gas and, to a lesser extent, coal. This contributes to over 50% of total energy use in commercial agriculture. The production of nitrogen fertilizers through the Haber-Bosch Process releases around 465 Tg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, significantly impacting the environment.
Machinery used in agriculture, such as tractors, also contributes to the fossil fuel footprint. The energy embodied in these machines, along with buildings and infrastructure, is substantial and likely to increase as agricultural producers invest in technology to enhance yields and compete globally. Diesel is a common fuel for such machinery.
Irrigation is another aspect of industrial agriculture that relies on fossil fuels. Pumps are used to distribute water, and their operation consumes fossil fuels. Additionally, petroleum-based agricultural chemicals are used extensively, further adding to the fossil fuel dependency of industrial agriculture.
The distribution of food across the world is also heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly oil. This includes the transportation of food products from farms to stores and, subsequently, to consumers. The energy required for transportation is not typically included in the fossil fuel calculations presented to consumers, giving an incomplete picture of the true energy costs of our food.
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Food production is dependent on fossil fuels, from farm to table
Fossil fuels are integral to food production, from farm to table. Food systems currently account for at least 15% of global fossil fuel use annually, and this figure is expected to increase unless drastic measures are taken to transform food systems.
Industrial agriculture is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Crops are dependent on nitrogen fertilizers, petroleum-based agricultural chemicals, irrigation pumps, diesel-powered machinery, and oil for worldwide distribution. The manufacturing of fertilizers is the most fossil fuel-dependent stage in food production, as synthetic nitrogen fertilizers require an energy-intensive process involving high temperatures and pressures.
The energy intensity in food systems has been increasing due to several factors. These include the growing use of fossil fuel-based inputs like pesticides, increased mechanization, globalized supply chains, and the rising demand for meat, dairy, and ultra-processed foods.
The war in Ukraine has highlighted the dangers of this dependence, as disruptions to grain, cooking oil, and fertilizer exports have led to higher prices and shortages, impacting food supplies and prices globally.
The transition away from fossil fuels in agriculture is crucial for meeting climate goals, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. By 2050, the aim is to have zero fossil fuel calories required for every calorie of food consumed. This transition involves adopting renewable energy sources, electrifying transport, and transforming the way we produce and distribute food.
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Fossil fuel calories in food often exceed nutritional calories
Fossil fuels are used to grow, harvest, process, and distribute food, and they make up a significant part of the food footprint. In the industrial agriculture system, crops are heavily dependent on fossil fuels, from nitrogen fertilizers to petroleum-based agricultural chemicals, irrigation pumps, diesel for machinery, and oil for food distribution.
While our food system can produce a large amount of food, it is now more dependent than ever on finite resources and inexpensive fossil fuel energy. As a result, the food we eat often contains more "fossil fuel calories" than nutritional calories. For example, in Slovenia, it takes 7 calories of fossil fuel to provide every 1 calorie of meat consumed. Similarly, it takes 68 calories of fossil fuel to produce 1 calorie of pork, and 35 calories of fuel to produce 1 calorie of beef.
The number of fossil fuel calories required varies by food group and country. In the United States, it takes about 10 fossil fuel calories to produce and transport each food calorie in the average American diet. This means that for a daily food intake of 2,000 calories, 20,000 fossil fuel calories were used in the process. Overall, about 15% of US energy is dedicated to supplying Americans with food, and if the entire world adopted the American diet, we would exhaust all known fossil fuel reserves in just seven years.
To address this issue, it is important to recognize that our current food and resource security is heavily subsidized by cheap and versatile fossil fuels. By choosing more sustainable food options, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in the food system. This includes eating lower on the food chain, such as consuming more fruits and vegetables, and supporting local and organic food initiatives.
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Fossil fuels are used in the production of fertilisers and pesticides
Similarly, the production of synthetic pesticides also demands energy for the synthesis of various chemicals. The extraction, transportation, and processing of raw materials like petroleum further contribute to the carbon footprint of these processes. The dependence on fossil fuels in these industries raises environmental and sustainability concerns. The use of fossil fuels in fertiliser and pesticide production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, a primary driver of climate change.
Additionally, the reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels raises questions about long-term resource depletion and sustainability. The use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides can lead to chemical runoff and leaching into water sources, causing eutrophication and other harmful environmental consequences. Excessive use can also result in soil degradation and a loss of biodiversity. The connection between fossil fuels and synthetic fertilisers and pesticides lies in their production processes, which require significant energy from fossil fuels.
The fossil fuel industry has been seeking new avenues to maintain profits as the world transitions away from oil and gas as primary fuels. One strategy involves partnering with agrochemical companies to produce fossil gas-based "blue" ammonia and its "blue" hydrogen precursor. These products are marketed as critical inputs for fertiliser production and clean energy sources for transport and power. However, these efforts often serve to greenwash polluting practices, access new markets, and take advantage of subsidies for carbon capture and storage (CCS).
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Fossil fuel use in food production contributes to climate change
Fossil fuels are used extensively in food production, and this contributes significantly to climate change. The food system accounts for at least 15% of all fossil fuel consumption, with industrial agriculture being highly dependent on fossil fuels. From the use of nitrogen fertilizers and petroleum-based agricultural chemicals to diesel-powered machinery and oil-dependent food distribution networks, fossil fuels are deeply embedded in the global food system.
The fossil fuel industry's investments in petrochemicals further reinforce the dependence of food production on oil. This is evident in the use of plastics for packaging and the manufacturing of crop inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. The processing and packaging stage of food production is the most energy-intensive, contributing to the high fossil fuel consumption in the supply chain. For example, in Slovenia, it takes seven calories of fossil fuel to provide every one calorie of meat consumed, highlighting the significant fossil fuel intensity of certain food groups.
The impact of fossil fuel use in food production extends beyond climate change. It also contributes to soil degradation, water quality issues, and biodiversity loss. To address these concerns, a shift towards sustainable agriculture and food production is necessary. This includes reducing the use of fossil fuels in agriculture, adopting renewable energy sources, and revolutionizing the way we produce and consume food. By 2050, the goal is to have zero fossil fuel calories for every calorie of food consumed, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Urgent decarbonization of the food system is crucial to mitigate climate change and its associated impacts. Academics play a vital role in this transition by conducting research on energy use and emissions in various sectors of the food system, such as fisheries and livestock production. Additionally, exploring the sustainability of alternative protein sources can help foster collaboration between the energy and food sectors, driving the necessary transformations to prevent catastrophic climate change and address health and nutrition crises.
In conclusion, fossil fuel use in food production significantly contributes to climate change and other environmental issues. To ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to reduce the dependence of the food system on fossil fuels, promote sustainable practices, and prioritize collaboration between the energy and agricultural sectors. By doing so, we can work towards achieving the necessary reductions in global GHG emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are used to grow our food and are present in the agricultural chemicals used to treat crops. They are also used to power machinery and irrigation pumps and to distribute food worldwide.
Fossil fuels make up a significant part of the food footprint. In some cases, our food contains more "fossil fuel calories" than nutritional calories. For example, in Slovenia, it takes 7 calories of fossil fuel to provide every 1 calorie of meat consumed.
The global food system is responsible for at least 15% of worldwide fossil fuel use annually, equivalent to the total emissions from all EU countries and Russia combined. Fossil fuel use in the food system is a major driver of climate change and contributes to health and nutrition crises.
Policymakers can support and promote healthy, sustainable, and just food environments that incentivize consumers to make better choices. They can also phase out the use of unnecessary fossil fuel inputs into food systems, such as single-use plastic and fertilizers. Additionally, consumers can choose to support more sustainable agriculture and reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are more energy-intensive to produce.
