Yikes – turns out our Nutella addiction is having some pretty dire ecological consequences
Drizzle it on pancakes, slather it on toast, stir it into your coffee or eat it with a spoon straight from the jar – I think we can all agree that there is noHowever, while there seems to be no end to our collective obsession with our favourite chocolate spread, it turns out this is not such good news for the environment.
Andreocci explains that the land around Vignanello, where he farms, used to be planted with a diverse mix including olives, vines and hazelnuts. However, in the past few years, Ferrero has made sure many of the surrounding valleys have been turned over to intensive hazelnut farming, with monoculture plantations replacing grassy pastures, small farms and rows of vines.
The problem? The lack of biodiversity often means the land eventually gets ruined – and, according to Goffredo Filibeck, an environmental researcher at Tuscia University in Viterbo – monocultures help spread plant diseases and insects, resulting in the greater use of pesticides and herbicides. However, when confronted with the massive production quantity requirements of companies such as Ferrero, the hazelnut has to be farmed monoculturally, and becomes vulnerable to pests because there are no other plant species to protect it.In fact, near in Lago di Vico, a small lake south of Lago di Bolsena, hazelnut plantations are much more established and the monocultural effect is openly visible.
The problem is that the worldwide demand for palm oil is skyrocketing – and this demand is convincing farmers in tropical climates – most notably Indonesia and Malaysia, where about 85 percent of the world’s palm oil is cultivated – to cut down rainforests and create palm oil plantations instead.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tyler Toland turns the page on her three-year Ireland exile‘If you focus on other people, on their thoughts, it is not going to do well for you . . . I knew the chance would come’
Read more »
Wheeling in the years as Busáras turns 70Bus Éireann is celebrating 70 years since the opening of Busáras coach station in Dublin.
Read more »
Turns out, Kylie Jenner had a completely different name in mind for StormiThe website for Irish women
Read more »
Turns Out People Who Like And Share ‘Profound’ Quotes Are Actually Less IntelligentThe website for Irish women
Read more »
Derry Girls creator actually sent Chelsea Clinton a letter when she was 13It turns out that Lisa McGee, the creator of the hit show Derry Girls, actually sent Chelsea Clinton a letter when she was 13.
Read more »
The one thing you need to do if you’re getting the ride and have also got the fluTurns out, having some sex can actually make you feel better... In a roundabout way.
Read more »