All Flashcards
What are the effects of pesticide use in agriculture?
Can kill beneficial insects, harm wildlife, and lead to pesticide resistance in pests.
What are the effects of fertilizer runoff?
Pollutes waterways and causes eutrophication, leading to dead zones in aquatic ecosystems.
What are the effects of intensive farming practices?
Can deplete soil nutrients and lead to soil erosion, reducing long-term productivity.
What is the effect of increased food production from the Green Revolution?
Less starvation, lower food prices, and economic growth, but also increased environmental challenges.
What is the effect of herbicide-resistant weeds?
Increased herbicide use, further environmental damage, and reduced crop yields.
What is the effect of climate change on agriculture?
Altered growing seasons, increased droughts and floods, and reduced crop yields in some regions.
What is the effect of monoculture farming?
Reduced biodiversity, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and soil degradation.
What is the effect of declining family farms?
Loss of traditional farming knowledge, reduced rural economies, and increased reliance on industrial agriculture.
What is the effect of increased population growth on agriculture?
Increased demand for food, putting pressure on agricultural systems and natural resources.
What is the effect of soil degradation?
Reduced soil fertility, decreased crop yields, and increased erosion and desertification.
How can crop rotation help protect the environment?
It improves soil health and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
How can cover cropping help protect the environment?
It prevents soil erosion and improves soil fertility.
How can integrated pest management (IPM) help protect the environment?
It reduces reliance on chemical pesticides by using a combination of methods.
How can reducing food waste help promote sustainability?
It decreases the demand for food production and reduces environmental impacts.
How can supporting local farms promote sustainability?
It reduces transportation emissions and supports local economies.
How can reducing meat consumption promote sustainability?
It decreases the demand for livestock farming, which has significant environmental impacts.
How can using organic farming methods promote sustainability?
It reduces the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, protecting soil and water quality.
How can improving irrigation techniques promote sustainability?
It conserves water resources and reduces water pollution.
How can promoting biodiversity in agriculture promote sustainability?
It increases resilience to pests and diseases and improves ecosystem health.
How can policies that encourage sustainable agriculture help protect the environment?
Policies like subsidies for organic farming or regulations on pesticide use can incentivize environmentally friendly practices.
What was the main goal of the Green Revolution?
To produce more food, more efficiently, and at a lower cost to address growing populations and food shortages.
What are the main strategies used in the Green Revolution?
Developing high-yielding crop varieties, using new fertilizers and pesticides, and improving irrigation techniques.
What is a key environmental challenge associated with the Green Revolution?
Increased reliance on petroleum, pesticide use, fertilizer runoff, and soil degradation.
What are the benefits of GMOs?
Improved crop quality, pest resistance, and herbicide tolerance.
What are the concerns about GMOs?
Potential health effects and environmental impacts on biodiversity and herbicide-resistant weeds.
How does industrial agriculture impact family farms?
It leads to the decline of traditional family farms due to a focus on efficiency and high yields.
How does food production relate to population growth?
As population grows, the demand for food increases, putting pressure on agricultural systems.
How does agriculture contribute to climate change?
Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions through machinery, fertilizers, and land use.
What is the impact of GMOs on biodiversity?
Widespread use of GMOs can reduce biodiversity and create monocultures, which are more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Why is sustainable agriculture important?
Recognizes the long-term costs of industrial farming and aims to minimize environmental impact.