Personal nitrogen footprint tool for the United Kingdom

Stevens, Carly and Leach, A. and Dale, Sarah and Galloway, J. (2014) Personal nitrogen footprint tool for the United Kingdom. Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, 16 (7). pp. 1563-1569. ISSN 2050-7887

[thumbnail of Stevens et al N footprint revised]
Preview
PDF (Stevens et al N footprint revised)
Stevens_et_al_N_footprint_revised.pdf - Submitted Version

Download (192kB)

Abstract

The global nitrogen (N) cycle has been transformed by human use of reactive N as a consequence of increased demand for food and energy. Given the considerable impact of humans on the N cycle, it is essential that we raise awareness amongst the public and policy makers as this is the first step in providing individuals and governments the opportunity to reduce their impact on the N cycle and reduce the environmental and health consequences of N pollution. Here we describe an N footprint tool for the UK developed as part of the N-PRINT program. The current per capita N footprint in the UK is 27.1 kg N per capita per year with food production constituting the largest proportion of the footprint (18.0 kg N per capita per year). Calculating an N footprint for 1971 (26.0 kg N per capita per year) demonstrates that per capita N footprints have increased slightly. The average UK footprint is smaller than that found in the USA but is higher than the Netherlands and Germany. Scenario analysis demonstrates that reducing food protein consumption to the levels recommended by the FAO and World Health Organization reduces the overall N footprint by 33%. Consuming a vegetarian diet and consuming only sustainable food both decreased the N footprint by 15% but changes in energy use have a much smaller impact.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2308
Subjects:
?? NITROGENPUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRYMEDICINE(ALL)MANAGEMENT, MONITORING, POLICY AND LAW ??
ID Code:
69410
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
07 May 2014 15:19
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Oct 2023 00:18