After doing several hours of extended research on this topic, one thing has become very clear, we humans interfere far too often and usually end up causing destruction far more than good, even when intentions were well meant. Of course, it is quite impossible to always clearly foresee future results of our actions, but without taking the time to thoroughly think through all the possibilities, we achieve what we have with agriculture; a problematic planet which is slowly falling apart.
This beautiful, amazing planet of ours was doing just fine providing us with the essential things we inhabitants needed for survival, as well as family and social unity which in much of the world is very different today. So, we must ask ourselves, why when hunting and gathering provided us with all our needs, we were healthier and the world we lived in thrived, did we choose to destroy our forests, oceans, lands and strip our world of so much it offered. While people have many wonderful theories, all I see at the root, is greed.
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I’m not sure that there is a place where the negative effects of agriculture aren’t felt. Through my research, I came across multiple articles about how there are many seemingly untouchable or disconnected indigenous tribes of the Amazon, the Congo, Indonesia, etc. that are feeling the effects of agriculture, even though they may not partake in agriculture or do very little of it for self-sustainability purposes only. Their forests and natural habitats are being destroyed, their water is being polluted due to machinery and runoff. Man-made fires, where fires were never an issue prior and they are even being murdered for their
Jared Diamond, in his article, “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human race”, explains that the worst mistake that humans made was the decision to change from a hunter gatherer society into an agriculture society. Jared Diamond gives evidence of how switching from an agricultural society was a bad mistake. Many believe that adopting an agricultural society and leaving the hunter gatherer society was the way to a more qualitative and sustainable lifestyle. As Diamond says, it is true that because this society was adopted and evolved because we have longer lifespans and live better now than how people lived back in the old days. But Diamond`s claim that the hunter gatherer society gave humans more benefits individually than what the agricultural society had to offer is agreeable.
The transition from the traditional hunter gatherer societies, in to an agriculture based living system, has allowed humans to increase their population size, putting strains on the Earth’s environment. Agriculture has also brought along with it a decrease in women’s roles in the community, while also bringing about a class system where the wealthy rule, and were the weak and poor obey. As humans began to domesticate more plants and animals, they settled in permanent areas. The Change from hunter gatherer benefited few, but had dire consequences for the earth and groups with in it. One such consequence was the population increase, which has lead to major issues throughout history, and one that has ties to current global issues.
1. Railroads- Railroads in each area were often controlled by one company, enabling those railroads to charge what they wanted. Railroads were the only way for many western farmers to get their produce to market and high prices were always charged. Railroads controlled storage, elevators, and warehouses so the prices the farmers paid were very high.
Personally, I believe that seeds, no matter how scientifically manipulated, should be considered technology. “Seed priming is defined as controlling hydration level within seeds so that the metabolic activity necessary for germination can occur” (Maiti, 2011). Monsanto does have moral obligations to farmers and consumers to make its seeds available at prices affordable to even the poorest of farmers. According to CEO, Hugh Grant, Monsanto could not exist without farmers. They are our customers-the lifeblood of our company. Traditionally, farmers save seeds from one year to plant in the next year, but Monsanto wanted to force farmers to purchase new seeds from the company every year. “By issuing new seeds each year, Monsanto ensures it will secure a profit as well as maintain control over its intellectual property” (Ferrell & Hartline, 2014).
The words to the famous old children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” are due for a revision. The new lines should read “Old MacDonald had a farm . . . with a lawyer here, and an accountant there, and everywhere a new federal program and regulation.” Not quite as poetic, but definitely more appropriate. The current state of agribusiness consists of an incredibly complex mix of subsidies, price supports, and bureaucratic regulations that could confound the most knowledgeable business minds. Underlying this tangled web of rules and regulations are political battles that pit normally allied groups against each other, and bring normally adversarial groups into allegiance. One bizarre
After learning about the statistics of how much agriculture consumes our planet, I was appalled to see how destructive it is. Jonathan Foley put into perspective the increase and rapid demand for food. Agriculture alone consumes 40% of our land surface, 70% of our irrigation system, and
To continue, agriculture and farming is essensial because we need food to survive and it helps with a regions economic growth. This human activity however, is creating
Dr. Seuss story The Lorax is filled with allusions and themes, that reference the Bible, American history, and other books. The Lorax published in 1971, and in the 1970s American history it was the environmental movement and laws were passed to clean the air and water. The story of the Lorax portrayed how nature is something that needs to be protected and not destroyed by big factories. Ted goes on a quest to find a real tree, a truffula tree that the Lorax protects to impress a girl. On his journey, he met the Once-ler, the man who knows what happen to all the truffula trees. Ted also encounters Mr. O’Hare, the mayor of Thneedville and the owner of the biggest company in Thneedville. O’Hare was consumed with making more money and
Diamond explains that our worst mistake was the transition from hunter-gathers to farmers. Diamond believes that humans were better off chasing our food rather than planting it due to the consequences that followed after such a dramatic change of life. His reasoning expands further out than one might think of about this subject. He talks about the social changes that were created when agriculture began. Diamond spews empowering points that leave a reader pondering if he is correct. People are only sure of how the world is now but the possibilities are endless on what our world could have been if agriculture had not begun.
People nourish themselves by consuming three meals each day. Eating is essential for survival, but what is actually in food we eat? Many are oblivious to that. People should be very informed to what is actually going into their gastrointestinal system because it significantly impacts their health, and it can between life or death. Gone are the days when people saw every step of how their food was manufactured until it got onto their table to eat. With increased human population on Earth, consequently, mass production is ubiquitous. The commonality of mass production, has led to genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods are foods that have been genetically engineered to produce effects that make them more desirable. It is also worth noting, that GMOs are not on food labeled when sold to the public. Many people are unaware of genetically modified foods as they have significant negative effects on humans in conjunction and the environment.
A GMO is an organism whose genetic makeup is changed by humans. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have normally.
Genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs are plants, animals or other organisms whose genetic makeup has been altered by using different DNA methods. (GMO Awareness.com.) Genetic modification affects many of the products we consume every day. Pesticides are substances that are regularly used to repel, kill, or control animals. Pesticides are also used to modify produce by controlling the growth of bacteria, mold and insects. The process of genetic modification in when two genes are forced into an unrelated species. That is what happens when genetically modified organisms and pesticides contaminate our produce. GMOs and pesticides have many negative contributions to the lifestyle of the animals, and even towards humans that consume
How can genetically modified food affect our society? GMOs are crops which have been scientifically manipulated to receive certain results. The United States proves their commitment to this movement, as their grocery shelves are filled with them. However, not many stand with the U.S., as many countries have banned biotech foods because of their risks. Genetically modified foods are a risk to our society as they may contaminate other productions, but they resist weather patterns; they lack the necessary tests to provide information about their possible dangers, however they are envisioned to be a solution to many health issues; furthermore, they dominate the food industry by not allowing variety, but on the other hand, GMOs may help future issues of food shortages.
Our world is full of complications, situations that need people’s attention. Scientists are attempting to find answers for most of the world’s difficulties. Nevertheless, a solution for one problem creates some other obstacle. It becomes impossible to create a solution that does not have side effects. One of the difficult situations in this world is hunger and poverty. Many people lack enough food to live a healthy life, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. In order to provide sufficient food and maintain food security, scientists discovered genetically altered foods. Genetically engineered foods are grown from plants or animals whose genes are modified by inserting new genes that can increase the plant’s and animal’s resistance to diseases and worms. By doing so, researchers improve crop yield and animal products. In addition to increasing the amount of food produced, scientists enhance the nutritive content of crops by using biotechnology, which results in reducing malnutrition. Furthermore, some investigators claim the environmental importance of
"Hello world," I said as I sit upon the rickety wooden oak shelf. All the other animals and I were waiting for our new families to pick us up and bring us home. "Can you adopt me kind sir?" I pestered the passing child, but he ignored me and kept walking. "Am I ugly? Am I torn? Am I losing my stuffing? Why will no one adopt me?" I muttered under my breath as my hopes of being taken home seemed slim to none.