In the study, which has recently published The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment , the relationship of the food production and consumption chain with global warming and acidification and eutrophication (excess nutrients) of the environment is analyzed, taking as reference the consumed by a person in Spain in 2005 (881 kilograms).
For the calculation, the researchers took into account agricultural and livestock production, fishing, the industrial processing of food, its sale and distribution, preparation and cooking at home, the treatment of solid waste (food remains and packaging), as well as human excretion. Scientists have also estimated the energy consumption associated with aspects such as using toilet paper, soap and sink water, in addition to the treatment of sewage in the treatment plant. According to the work, the greatest environmental impact is caused by the production of foods of animal origin, such as meat and dairy products .
Regarding the emissions generated by human excrement , according to the scientists "they have a net zero effect on the global warming , since it is carbon that the plants had already fixed through photosynthesis, with which they do not contribute to increase the CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere ?.
