Earth and Ocean

Concerns about rising grocery prices, the use of local peaches as a loss leader, or the steady affordability of bananas have prompted a Brock University biological sciences professor, who also holds the UNESCO Chair in Community Sustainability: from Local to Global, to emphasize that food prices often do not mirror the true costs associated with food production.

Various expenses contribute to food prices, including equipment, seeds, fertilizers, fuel, shipping, and fair compensation for farmers, which, surprisingly, shoppers often overlook.

“Consumers frequently fail to recognize these costs when they decide to seek out cheaper options,” explains Vasseur, a member of Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. “By choosing cheaper alternatives, they inadvertently undermine farmers’ livelihoods. How can we expect them to succeed?”

Agricultural practices also carry environmental costs. Food production negatively impacts the quality and sustainability of soil—one of the essential components necessary for growing food.

The Importance of Soil Health for Planetary Well-Being

“Unsustainable farming practices can lead to both soil erosion and contamination,” states James Campbell, a research associate affiliated with the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“When soil quality diminishes, it typically results in an increased reliance on fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. These improper practices also contribute to soil pollution with harmful substances like heavy metals and microplastics, which can eventually reach our oceans and cause extensive damage,” Campbell adds.

As reported by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 33 percent of the Earth’s soil has been degraded primarily due to agricultural activities, with projections suggesting that over 90 percent will face similar degradation by 2050. This degradation poses a significant threat not only to future food production but also to the planet’s capacity to support life in any form.

Soil acts as a carbon reservoir, helping to stabilize global temperatures. When soil quality diminishes, the carbon stored is released back into the atmosphere, consequently contributing significantly to climate change.

Additionally, crucial resources like water availability are impacted by land degradation. According to the UN, around half of the global population is experiencing effects from altered land surfaces, amounting to an estimated loss of US$40 trillion in ecosystem services, equivalent to roughly half of the world’s GDP in 2021. Land degradation stands as the primary contributor to the loss of terrestrial biodiversity.

The Interconnectivity of Soil Health and Ocean Ecosystems

The degradation of land and soil directly impacts marine ecosystems. Activities like tilling or clearing forests to expand agricultural land lead to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that must be absorbed elsewhere, particularly in our oceans. This CO2 forms carbonic acid upon melting in seawater, causing ocean acidity to rise.

Ocean acidification has profound repercussions for marine life. Referred to as the “osteoporosis of the sea,” it diminishes carbonate levels necessary for shellfish, coral, and crustaceans to form shells and reefs.

“Consequently, lobsters’ shells may weaken, making them more susceptible to parasites and other challenges,” Vasseur explains.

Consequences of Biodiversity Decline

While it might seem that human beings could adapt even if lobster populations decline due to parasites exploiting weakened shells, the truth is that the survival of every species is intertwined with the overall health of its ecosystem and, ultimately, the planet, according to Vasseur.

As oceans warm and acidify due to rising global temperatures, fish species such as lobsters and cod, which prefer cooler North Atlantic waters, will migrate to different habitats in search of suitable living conditions.

“This migration results in altered species composition in the habitats where cod once thrived, leading to an increase in bottom feeder populations and species that adapt to higher temperatures and lower oxygen levels,” Vasseur warns. “Invasive species, such as the green crab, are also penetrating the Atlantic coast, outcompeting more sensitive local species.”

Such shifts not only transform ocean ecosystems but also have downstream effects on economic stability, she adds. Healthy ecosystems are vital to human existence, but many are already endangered because of human activities.

The UN’s 2020 report on biodiversity and ecosystem services highlighted that one-quarter of all land, freshwater, and marine vertebrates and invertebrates, along with various plant species, are currently facing extinction risks, with many on the brink of disappearing entirely within a few decades.

Actions Individuals Can Take for a Sustainable Future

Although the outlook may appear gloomy, Vasseur emphasizes the power of individual choices in steering toward a more sustainable future, particularly when considering our grocery purchasing decisions.

“We must consider the ethical implications of our actions. There seems to be a neglect of ethical considerations in our actions these days; instead, we have a mindset of convenience without regard for future generations,” she asserts. “Everything is interconnected, and every action has a ripple effect.”

This article was originally published in the April 2024 issue of Daitrl magazine.