4 Crops That Are Harming Our Planet

Did you know that some crops are actually harming our planet?

Our food choices have a big impact on the environment, and it turns out that not all crops are created equal! While some are packed with nutrients and are great for our health, others can negatively affect our planet more than we might think. Believe it or not, issues like water overuse, soil depletion, and chemical runoff mean that certain crops may be doing more harm than good.

In today’s article, we’ll take a look at a few crops that can contribute to environmental challenges and how they influence our ecosystems. By understanding the effects of our food production, we can make smarter, more sustainable choices that are good for the Earth and our health. Without further ado, here are the crops that affect our planet more than we think:

1. Palm oil

Palm oil, derived from the Elaeis guineensis tree, is a versatile ingredient found in food, cosmetics, and biofuel. Even though it offers economic benefits, palm oil production causes significant environmental harm, especially in Southeast Asia.

Environmentalists say the industry drives deforestation, leading to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and biodiversity loss. What’s worse, these issues are only expected to intensify as production continues to expand.

While palm oil has been a staple in West African diets for centuries, its widespread use has raised several concerns about overconsumption, refining, and associated health risks. Moreover, growing palm oil can interfere with traditional food practices for indigenous communities since the land that could have been used for local crops is now being used for palm cultivation.

This shift can also impact local ecosystems. Besides that, the use of harmful pesticides can create pollution and health issues for nearby residents. What are your thoughts on this problem?

2. Coffee

As much as we love our daily cup (or cups; we don’t judge) of java, coffee crops come with a hidden cost: a huge carbon footprint. Experts say this isn’t just due to the average 2.7 cups per person daily but also coffee’s entire lifecycle—from cultivation and processing to packaging and brewing.

Coffee’s biggest environmental impact comes from its production, making up 40% to 80% of its total carbon footprint. Environmentalists discovered that shifting from traditional shade-grown coffee to sun-exposed plantations has intensified irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide use, harming ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.

While coffee and tea have similar footprints, java’s impact is increased when milk is added. If you want to be environmentally friendly, the good news is that you can find plenty of sustainable coffee options on the market. They’re a bit pricier but taste better and don’t harm our planet!

3. Wheat

Did you know that wheat has been a staple for human civilization for over 10,000 years? As much as we like to include this grain in our diets, wheat crops are often judged for the need to use synthetic fertilizers in their production.

While these chemicals boost yields, they also harm our planet, contributing to problems like algae blooms, climate change, and oceanic dead zones due to nutrient runoff. According to a 2017 study, the biggest environmental impact of bread comes from the dangerous fertilizers used to grow the wheat.

And if you thought this was already terrible news, there’s more! Relying on fertilizers for crop growth harms aquatic ecosystems and contributes to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists believe climate change will shake up wheat production, boosting yields in some areas while making others more vulnerable to extreme weather. To combat these effects, we could use sustainable practices, such as nitrogen-fixing cover crops and circular agriculture, to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

4. Bananas

We’re often told that bananas are one of the most wonderful fruits in the world—fueling intense workouts, keeping hunger in check for hours, and satisfying our sweet tooth. This natural candy is undeniably good, but banana crops can also pose serious risks to both people and the planet.

But let’s talk about the dark side of the banana industry. Researchers discovered that intensive agrochemical use harms ecosystems and puts workers in danger. Not to mention, an employee only earns 4-9% of a banana’s total value.

Unfortunately, supermarkets keep driving prices down, and while that’s good for customers looking to save money, it makes workers’ lives even harder, as their unfair wages and poor working conditions continue to worsen.

Other than that, heavy pesticide and monoculture farming erode soil, pollute water, and destroy biodiversity. For instance, the Cavendish banana, the world’s most popular variety, needs excessive chemicals to fight pests and diseases. On top of that, our delicious fruits are shipped long distances, adding to their carbon footprint and contributing to climate change.

…What are your thoughts on these crops that harm our planet? Do you think sustainability is the future of Earth? Leave your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to read them! Until next time, here’s another post from Devastating Disasters you won’t want to miss: Urgent Recall: Blood Pressure Medications Affected