Effects on the Environment of Mass Food Production

Nobody denies that the need for more food grows with the global population. Factory farms seem to be a solution to this problem since they produce mass quantities of food for cheap compared to their organic counterparts, which are forty-seven percent more expensive (Consumer Reports). The factory farming business, however, is not the best way to feed more people since it pollutes the environment. The factory

As the world expands through time and business, the natural process of developing food is forced to adapt to the growing demands of civilization. Henceforth, the modern-day food industry is capable of producing a plethora amount of nutrients that sustains mass populations. However, is the modern tradition and technique of mass food production hiding a burdened truth behind the curtains of society’s unawareness? Is such truth more sinister than productive? Filmmaker Robert Kenner directed a documentary in 2008 where the methods of processing meats and harvesting crops were analyzed with their effects. As a result, Kenner’s documentary, Food Inc., has revealed that the ways foods are processed have consequently made them perilous for society. Through the use of

Author, Michael Pollan believes the industrial food chain is hurting the environment, livestock and the consumers. First of all, he states, “The flood of extra nitrogen causes a wild growth of algae, and the algae take up all the oxygen in the water, smothering the fish.”(34) The extra water from the concentrated animal feeding organization may seem harmless but is actually very harmful to the other animals not in the CAFOs. Pollan also points out,”They’re made to eat forage,”...,”...and we’re making them eating grain...”(58). The cows are being fed something they weren't designed to eat and therefore getting sick. In addition to that, “Some of this bacteria are finding their way into our food...”(49). The bacteria bred by the CAFOs doesn't

The worlds biomes at the moment are unable to feed the growing global population in the future. They might be able to feed the population now but as the population grows we need to increase the worlds agriculture to provide enough food to feed the growing population. In order to feed the growing population, the world needs to put into action some simple steps to increase food production and to reduce wastage from existing food.

Factory farms increase production and help feed the world. Due to an increase in population factory farms holds the world’s food supply in check. Factory farms produce more animals in a quicker matter than any other place. Factory farms help contain waste and help stop some

While animal cruelty is the largest issue that arises from factory farming, there are also many other problems that stem from this type of production such as environmental impacts. With this type of food production, “modern animal agriculture puts an incredible strain on natural resources like land, water, and fossil fuel” (Factory Farming). This is causing non-reversible environmental damage such as contaminating water supplies and producing mass amounts of exhaust due to production. These practices are going unnoticed by both the government and the companies responsible. Laws and regulations for the environment are not doing their job and need to be changed in order to save the resources that future generations have a right to experience. The industry as a whole stand idly by as they destroy the environment by the practices they perform. This puts a major strain on the fight against environmental degradation by the lack of regard for conserving what is not the industries to ruin.

As the Earth’s population grows at breakneck pace over the next several decades, who will feed the world’s people? Agriculture has undergone an extensive expansion and transformation throughout the last few centuries, beginning with the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s. New technology allowed for better and greater methods of production. With the development of modern technology, people try to think some way can plant less, get more. Many farmers plant only one crop in the same place year after year. However, those against monocropping claim that it is very hard on the environment and actually less profitable than organic means of farming (“Monoculture Crops – Learn About The Effects Of Monocropping”). In addition, the destructive nature of agriculture has recently shown its hand. While our supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants are filled with abundant food options, people forget to ask themselves where all this food comes from. Globalization has opened up economies of scale and has allowed people to tap into different types of products, whether that is food or clothing. But the availability of an increased mass market comes at a cost. However, today, the modern farming techniques have grown into a headache for farmers and governments alike, because they are the consequences of overproduction, industrial waste and other problems arising from the modern methods of agriculture. Thus, modern techniques are harmful to environments, animals, and humans.

Since the beginning of mankind, we have become dependent on animal products as a food source. As population increased, so did the production of animal agriculture and its profitability. Unfortunately, it has grown into an industry that is unsustainable for this planet and is demolishing our environment at an astonishing rate. In the academic article, ‘Cowspiracy’ Strips the Meat Industry Down to the Bone, Ford reports the shocking statistic that “even if all utilities were turned off and every fossil-fuel-guzzling system of transportation ceased immediately, environmental damage that results from greenhouse gases would be irreversible…even with humanity’s greatest efforts, the dairy and meat industries will still eventually destroy life on Earth”. As the environment is at its most crucial and devastating point, the major contribution that animal agriculture has on rainforest deforestation, pollution of our water, and global warming becomes undeniable.

Farming for our food causes many issues. Growing our food is causing a major decrease in finite resources, like fertile soil and water (Clemmitt 555). Fertile soil and water are being wasted on crops that are not successfully growing. The decrease in finite resources is caused by old, non-efficient techniques, like the throw-and-grow (Clemmitt

Last week, Shawn Archibeque spoke to the class and presented an optimistic perspective of the meat industry. I learned about the meat industry in the past, but this was the first time that I had heard someone defending the meat industry. It was very refreshing to hear about the different perspectives in the meat industry. Listening to Shawn in class and writing this paper, I realized that this is a very controversial topic and that there is no easy solution to feed everyone and limit the damages to the planet. Concentrated animal feeding operations, also known as CAFOs, a large scale & high density animal raising facility with the purpose of obtaining produce (Hribar & Schultz, 2010). Shawn, the guest speaker explained that the toxicity of everything depends on its concentration. If there was a lot of animals contained in a confined space, there would be a chance that the environment would become toxic.

Over the years, farmers have been producing meats, and growing crops, to feed all over the world. Farmers have been using different methods to achieve the constant demand for food, such as breeding, environment, and feeding. Technology has been a major factor in helping farmers evolve over the years. What pop out were factory farms all over the world. But what is a factory farm? Factory farms are huge buildings owned by big corporations, where meats are being produced by the thousands. Despite the effectiveness of this method, it comes at a price. Factory farms are key factory in feeding many countries over the world, but it struggles with the mistreatment of animals, and excessive waste.

all per the world people are struggling to bring food to their tables. everyday less and less people can afford to grow or purchase valuable crops and resources to keep themselves and their families alive. In America one in seven families, approximately 17.5 million families nationwide were food insecure. not only are local families suffering from lack of income to purchase food, but farmers are also having a hard time producing the livestock and produce necessary for people to purchase. almost every large production field in agriculture faced some type of decrease in production last year. on top of the annual losses, human food consumption has increased, especially in America. The average American consumed over sixty-four pounds of beef,

The meat market is booming, yet it is harming poor countries, the environment, and the animals. It is currently benefitting rich countries, but that will change as the population continues to grow. There is not enough space to continue to house all animals that are raised for food, even if humane farming was to be put into practice. To achieve space, deforestation is occurring. On top of that, animal farming is greatly contributing to the concentration of methane in the atmosphere. Currently, water sources are being used up, which may soon result in a lack of water. The food produced through animal farming, though likely cheaper than meat produced through humane methods, is still too expensive for most. Poor countries cannot afford the food produced in countries that use animal farming. According to Nibert, the food is produced for rich countries and prohibited from the poor. There is also worry about GMOs and how long term consumption may impact one’s health; however, it is becoming less and less possible to eat food that has not been modified in some way. Most of the food being produced, is owned by only a small number of people, all of whom, attempt to achieve as great of a profit as possible. Ultimately, money is the main focus for most people in the food industry and they are willing to go to extreme lengths to increase their

Sage research provided me with a number of link to books and articles revolving around the impacts economically, socially and environmentally. The effect of mass food production cover a number of ethical dilemmas such as worker safety and compensation, animal cruelty, waste production, crop subsidies by corporate enterprises, greenhouse emissions, etc. it is a rather large subject to tackle. One subject in particular that I didn’t expect to be so prominent in my research was antibiotic resistance and the impacts of industrial animal farming has had on creation antibiotic resistant bacteria otherwise known as “Superbugs”. The widespread use of antibiotics in the rearing of food animals not only as a treatment to infection but also as a preventative measure. While the use of antibiotics in industrial farmed animals is considered necessary due to the close quarters the animals are raised in increasing risk of infection and allowing for rapid spread of infection; the subsequent side effects of antibiotic use in increased animal growth has led to a vast overuse in food animal production.

People say the most important essence of our lives are clothing, house and food. Among these components that we value the most, food has always been the most significant value even before the civilization. Our ancestors have fought for better location for themselves to gain geological advantages of food production. From many historical contexts one can discover all the great civilizations took places near by the river and rich soil to cultivate crops. They grew what people in the present days would call it ‘organic foods’. Yes, organic food is harder to grow because of pests or weather conditions. Our society has already moved on from that processes. Now we have pesticides to remove insect harming crops and scientists recently developed Genetically Modified Organisms also known as GMOs. GMOs sustain better in harsh climates, their sizes are a lot greater than organic foods. It is true that usage of pesticides and GMOs have allowed the world mass food production in our society. Although, we have enough food to feed billions of populations throughout the world. But, what does it do to our health? Pesticides contain numerous harmful chemicals and insects build up tolerance and we will end up inventing a lot stronger pesticides in the future. Crops aren’t the only the problem when it comes to GMOs. Many of domestic animals are genetically modified to produce larger portion of meats. Think about all those bacon strips and steaming steaks.