Your task is to emanate from one of the following raw materials and describe the
ID: 296068 • Letter: Y
Question
Your task is to emanate from one of the following raw materials and describe the environmental impact it has with respect to how it is produced, manufacturing, usage and disposal.
Raw material:
a) Meat production
b) Tropical wood
c) Soybean
d) Cotton
e) Coffee
f) Banana
1) Begin by collecting facts about the raw material's way of production, manufacturing, usage and disposal.
2) Revise the product's positive and negative environmental impact based on the following points:
How is the impact, is it local, regional and global?
How is society affected? (eg social, economic, environmental, etc.)
How is the landscape image affected?
How is biodiversity affected?
What social (human rights, gender equality etc) and ethical considerations should be taken?
3) Analyze, discuss and collect the pros and cons of the product and discuss what continued usage will lead into.
Explanation / Answer
Coffee
The environmental impact of coffee.
Production
Manufacturing
Usage
Disposal
Positive environmental impact
Negative environmental impact
Local, regional, and global impact
Effect on society
Landscape image
Biodiversity
Social aspects: human rights
The future: continued usage
PRODUCTION
Coffee is grown from the coffea plant. The plant was orginally exported to other countries from Africa and is now grown and cultivated in 70 countries.
It is primarily grown in regions near the equator: the Americas, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.
Arabica and robusta are two of the most common types sold.
Coffee seeds--or beans--are picked and then roasted to a desired color and ground and brewed with boiling water.
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world and can be brewed in a variety of ways--hot or cold.
Brazil is the leading exporter. Brazil produces a third of all coffee on the market. Green--unroasted--coffee is highly traded commodity of agriculture.
There is some controversy to cultivation and trade and the the overall impact on the environment. Because of this demand and interest in such practices as fair trade and organic coffee has increased.
MANUFACTURING
Sale and distribution
Current market statistics report coffee being produced at 10.18 million bags as of April 2018.
Brazil exports the most coffee.
Vietnam has increased its output significantly as of 1999 and is leading producer of robusta seeds and is the second largest exporter.
Indonesia is third in exporting. Indonesia produces washed arabica beans.
Honduras has turned its coffee production into a fast-growing commodity due to its rich soil and good coffee-growing climate.
Coffee is sold and traded as a commodity by investors, roaster and speculators.
USAGE
Coffee is drank by many people as a stimulant around the world in a variety of ways: cold or hot, decaffeinated or as espresso.
Health: some studies have shown that excessive coffee use is associated with heightened cholesterol.
Other coffee studies have shown that moderate coffee (2 to 4 cups per day) consumption often correlates with a lower risk of death.
Overall, moderate coffee consumption appears to have little if no adverse long term effects on human health.
DISPOSAL
Coffee grounds are considered "organic" and often used as compost in gardening. The grounds add nitrogen to the soil. Disposal of coffee has no negative impact on the environment.
LOCAL, REGIONAL & GLOBAL IMPACT
Fair trade--referring to coffee produced by fair trade standards--was begun in the 1980s. This gaurantees that a preharvested price will be negotiated with coffee growers.
Fair trade seeks to create transparency, respect, equity, and sustainable development for farmers.
Fair trade is understood to have a mixed effect on the industry.The European Fair Trade Association was begun in 1987.
In 2000 Global Exchange, a human rights organization, carried out a campaign that made Starbucks decide to sell fair trade coffee.
Economic impact
Brazil turned from gold mining to coffee production in the early 1800s. Brazil's infrastructure grew significantly over the next hundred years and many immigrants were employed. The Brazilian economy has seen sustained growth of their ecomony with coffee production. At times, due to the coffee growing cycle and seasonal variations, it is necessary to subsidize growing.
EFFECTS ON SOCIETY
A whole culture has grown around coffee houses and drinking coffee. Many movements of art and literature have begun and grown in coffeehouses around the world.
The "coffee break" is ubiquitous term that has become well known to many workers around the world and was actually written into union contracts in America during the second world war.
LANDSCAPE IMAGE
Of late, growers and corporations have become more aware of the effects of production--especially at local and regional levals--and seek to increase sustainablity and minimize issues as water usage and soil quality.
BIODIVERSITY
Research has been done to support biodiversity in coffee growing. Research has shown the importance of trees that are adjacent to shade-grown coffee plants.
SOCIAL ASPECTS (HUMAN RIGHTS)
Some studies have indicated a negative impact by the industry and critics have pointed out that there are destructive patterns of deforestation, hunger and a lack of good schooling in poorer nations. They state there exists socioecological exploitation in countries where coffee is grown.
Fair trade and other movements have been organized to remedy these concerns and provide economic stablity and sustainability for farmers.
FUTURE USAGE
As the population grows coffee consumption is expected to increase.
In summation, coffee does not have any major negative impacts on the environment or one's health. The greatest challenge for the coffee industry is to provide fair and equal treatment to farmers and growers and help them maintain economic stability as well as environmental sustainability in the coffee growing and farming process.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.