A Study on Food, Energy, and Water Impacts of the Average American Diet By Demographic Group

Overcoming socioecological barriers of the food–energy–water (FEW) nexus remains a challenge for urban and rural communities. Using life cycle assessment and social psychology techniques, cradle-to-farm-gate land, greenhouse gas (GHG), and water impacts—that derive from food consumption in the United States—were analyzed and differentiated by major demographic groups (Black, Latinx, and White). Results indicate that the White demographic yields the highest per capita GHG (680 kg of CO₂ eq*year^−1) and water impacts (328,600 L*year^−1) from food consumption, whereas the Black demographic yields the highest per capita land impacts (1,770 m²*year^−1) from food consumption. Furthermore, we propose using government programming to encourage environmentally friendly food purchasing behavior. In all, these findings establish a cross-disciplinary methodological approach to addressing socioecological problems and provides useful FEW impact data for FEW nexus and climate change researchers.