Global food trade alleviates transgressions of planetary boundaries at the national scale

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107794
• Publication Date: 2023-08-30T16:11:29Z
• Authors: Xiawei Liao; Ao Liu; Li Chai
• Keywords: Planetary boundaries; Consumption; Biogeochemical Cycle

Food systems are among the leading causes for transgression of planetary boundaries globally, which define safe operating space humanity. We quantify unsustainable environmental impacts food systems, indicated by national-scale (i.e., production in each country), from both and consumption perspectives 189 countries/regions around world. A multi-regional input-output model is used to map global transfers boundaries, including freshwater use, land change, biogeochemical flows (nitrogen phosphorus). Our results show that China a major water nitrogen exporter an unstable phosphorus importer. This means uses support demands other countries, requires elsewhere. In contrast, US water, land, but only importer consumption. Globally, compared counterfactual scenario where there no trade any saves massive transgressions (270 km3 18 million tons nitrogen, 7 phosphorus, 5,431 km2 land). Alleviation boundary has been achieved primarily US, China, Saudi Arabia, etc., while aggravation was incurred Pakistan, Australia, Argentina, so forth.