Skip to main content

While we have used addictive substances recreationally for more than 10,000 years, wide scale use of alcohol, coffee, tobacco and drugs has only come about in recent centuries. Commercial production of these substances has made them available to more people, which not only places us at risk of addiction and associated health problems, but also has a significant impact on the environment. While some growers are taking action to produce coffee and tobacco more sustainably, this is not universal, and illegal drug operations give little thought to the destructive consequences of producing the likes of marijuana, opium and cocaine.

Environmental Impact of Opium Production

Environmental Impact of Opium Production

Coffee Production

Although traditional small-scale coffee plantations used sustainable practices, the shift to intensive plantations that focus on a single crop to maximize production damages the environment in a number of ways. Not only is deforestation an issue, with its associated impact on habitats, carbon emissions and soil erosion, but intensive coffee production is far more energy intensive and requires the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, which pollute natural resources.

Growing Tobacco

As tobacco is grown over such wide areas, this is another crop that contributes significantly to land clearance, which invariably leads to the loss of trees. This accounts for around 5{e3829ec1db02d54faaf9fa2de0d48db26af01d7a7944a63c3b26976124791cab} of deforestation worldwide and the environmental consequences of tree clearance for tobacco is a particular problem in China and parts of Africa. The vulnerability of tobacco plants to attack by insects, fungi and other pests also requires extensive crop spraying, which endangers wildlife and may even contribute to ozone depletion.

Producing Drugs

Marijuana plants have high water requirements, which places a strain on local water supplies and is endangering certain species of river life in parts of the US. Meanwhile, fertilizer run off and disposal of used soil into water sources leads to a type of pollution known as eutrophication, and this rapidly wipes out water life. Add to this the vast amounts of energy used to provide artificial lighting and the poisoning of mammals and birds from rodent bait, and cannabis production has a lot to answer for.

Environmental Impact of Marijuana Production

Environmental Impact of Marijuana Production

The use of land in Myanmar to grow opium poppies for heroin is on the increase again. One of the results of forest clearance that has been seen here is reduced soil fertility and flooding, as without tree cover nutrients and soil are easily washed away, leading to the accumulation of sediments downstream. Abandoning the traditional practice of growing natural competitors of pests alongside poppies has also increased reliance on pesticides and water pollution is an issue in the area.

Deforestation in Columbia to make room for coca plants for cocaine production is particularly worrying, as each hectare of South American forest holds 195 tons of carbon, which is released into the atmosphere when burned during clearance. With 47,000 hectares of forest lost in Columbia every year, cocaine production is a significant contributor towards carbon emissions and global warming.

While crystal meth and ecstasy are man-made substances, producing the raw ingredients for these amphetamines also leaves a trail of destruction.

Alessandro

Alessandro is the Founder & President of BEE Incorporations. He is a LEED, WELL, and RESET AP, a BEAM Pro, and an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. He is a leader and expert in the green building and sustainability industry in Asia, with worldwide project experience.

Leave a Reply