Change in the carbon footprint of Iranians’ food consumption from 1961 to 2019: A decomposition analysis of drivers

B. Bashiri¹²*, M. Zehtabvar², O. Gavrilova² and R. Vilu¹²

¹Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Akadeemia tee 15, EE12618 Tallinn, Estonia
²Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies, Mäealuse 2/4, EE12618 Tallinn, Estonia
*Correspondence: Bashir.Bashiri@tftak.eu

Abstract:

The study investigates the role of three drivers: population, energy intake per capita, and dietary change on the carbon footprint of food consumption in Iran from 1961 to 2019. Iran was chosen for this analysis because the country has experienced a noteworthy population increase in the past century, and the imposed international sanctions have changed the economic welfare of the nation. Logarithmic Mean Division Index, along with data of FAOSTAT Food balance sheets and carbon footprint per item, were utilized to decompose the impacts of the drivers. The results demonstrated that the carbon footprint of food consumption in Iran increased by 1.6 during this period. We also found that population increase, and energy intake per capita were the main drivers of the carbon footprint of food consumption in Iran while diet change contributed negatively.

Key words:

Influence of Neem-Azal T/S on feeding activity of Colorado Potato Beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)

K. Hiiesaar, E. Švilponis, L. Metspalu, K. Jõgar, M. Mänd,A. Luik and R.Karise

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesEstonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi St. 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia;e-mail: kylli.hiiesaar@emu.ee, fax: 372 7 313 351

Abstract:

The influence of 0.3% water emulsion of Neem-Azal T/S on the behaviour and feeding activity of Colorado Potato Beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) has been investigated. In choice test beetles mostly choose clean leaves, but did not avoid Neem-treated leaves entirely. In no-choice test beetles did not refuse to eat the Neem-treated food, although fed reluctantly. Consumption of Neem-treated leaf areas was reduced by 3–5 times in both, as in choice as in no-choice variants in comparison with control. Regarding the Colorado Potato Beetles, Neem-Azal T/S belongs to the category of relative antifeedant: it was not able completely deter beetles from visiting and eating the treated food. The antifeedant activity of preparation, which was expressed by the total coefficient of deterrence, exceeded 100. The interaction of time and treatment had no significant effect on feeding activity. Beetles did not become habituated to Neem-Azal T/S during one week.

Key words:

choice and no-choice test, Colorado potato beetles, food consumption, Neem-Azal T/S, placement