Einarsson, Rasmus
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Technical University of Madrid (UPM)
Abstract
After World War II, the evolution of Europe's agro-food system has been marked by intensified use of synthetic fertilizers, territorial specialization, and integration in global food and feed markets. This evolution led to increased nitrogen (N) losses to aquatic environments and the atmosphere, which, despite increasing environmental regulations, continues to harm ecosystems and human well-being. Here, we explore how these N losses can be drastically reduced in a scenario synergistically operating three levers: (1) a dietary change toward less animal products and an efficient recycling of human excreta; (2) the generalization of region-specific organic crop rotation systems involving N-2-fixing legumes, making it possible to do without synthetic N fertilizers; and (3) the reconnection of livestock with cropping systems allowing optimal use of manure. This scenario demonstrates the possibility to feed the projected European population in 2050 without imports of feed and with half the current level of environmental N losses.
Published in
One Earth
2021, volume: 4, number: 6, pages: 839-850
Publisher: Elsevier {BV}
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Management
Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.05.008
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/126544