How Brazil Dominates Sugar Production Without Burning Fields | Big Business | Business Insider

Summary

The video explores the sugarcane industry's reliance on burning fields for easier harvesting, despite its environmental and health impacts. It contrasts the US, where this practice continues, with Brazil, which has largely transitioned to green harvesting methods. The script discusses the challenges of transitioning, including the need for pesticides and the difficulty of processing raw cane. It also highlights the role of ethanol production in Brazil's shift away from burning and the lack of similar incentives in the US, where the sugar industry disputes pollution claims and continues traditional methods.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Most of the world's sugar is produced from sugarcane, which is traditionally harvested by burning fields to remove leaves and simplify collection.
• 🔥 In Florida, a leading US sugar producer, the smoke from sugarcane fires can be seen from miles away and is linked to health issues, including potential deaths.
• 🌎 Brazil, the largest sugar producer globally, has largely transitioned to a no-burn harvesting method known as green harvesting, which is more sustainable.
• 🛠️ Green harvesting uses machinery to cut the cane and separate leaves without burning, preserving the soil and reducing the need for pesticides.
• 🌾 Retaining the leaves on the field helps maintain soil health by preventing water loss, erosion, and enriching the soil with nutrients.
• 🚫 Despite the benefits, green harvesting is harder to implement in Florida due to the state's moist soil and high organic matter, which can negatively affect crop quality if too many leaves are left.
• 🌿 Brazil's push towards green harvesting was significantly driven by the production of ethanol, a biofuel that can reduce CO2 emissions if not produced through burning fields.
• 💵 The US sugar industry disputes claims of pollution, and large producers in Florida argue that their practices have minimal impact on air quality.
• 🏠 Residents living near sugarcane fields in Florida have reported health issues, such as asthma, which are suspected to be linked to the pollution from burning.
• 📉 The US government subsidizes sugar production, but most support goes to other crops, and there's no significant incentive for green harvesting practices in the sugarcane industry.

Q & A

What is the primary source of sugar in the world?

Most of the world's sugar comes from sugarcane.

Why do farmers set their sugarcane fields on fire before harvesting?

Farmers set their fields on fire to get rid of leaves, making it easier to collect the valuable cane full of sweet juice.

What is the estimated impact of sugarcane fires on human health in South Florida?

It is estimated that between one and six deaths likely happen across South Florida as a result of sugarcane fires.

How did Brazilian farmers change their sugarcane harvesting practices?

Brazilian farmers figured out how to harvest sugarcane without burning, a method known as green harvesting.

What are the benefits of green harvesting sugarcane in Brazil?

Green harvesting helps retain the valuable juice for longer, shields the ground from water loss and erosion, and keeps the soil rich in nutrients.

What is the role of ethanol in the shift to green harvesting practices in Brazil?

Ethanol, a biofuel made from sugarcane, has been a key incentive to stop the burns, as it burns cleaner than gasoline and emits 62% less CO2.

What was the impact of the Brazilian government's investment in ethanol on sugarcane production?

The investment led to a tripling of sugarcane production in just one decade and the growth of land used for the crop by five times since the '70s.

What is the current percentage of green-harvested sugarcane in São Paulo, Brazil?

By 2014, 90% of the cane in São Paulo was green-harvested.

Why is burning still practiced in the US sugar industry despite the green harvesting method's success in Brazil?

Burning is still practiced in the US because it's faster and reduces the need for pesticides. Additionally, there are no regulations or incentives for green harvesting.

What are the health risks associated with inhaling smoke from sugarcane burning?

Inhaling smoke from sugarcane burning can cause breathing difficulties, increase the risk of cancer and heart disease, and lead to higher mortality.

How do Florida's environmental conditions affect the feasibility of green harvesting compared to Brazil?

Florida's moist soil, which is already high in organic matter, can be negatively affected by adding too much leaf material from green harvesting, potentially impacting crop quality.