...Use of pesticides and fertilizers has agricultural benefits. Plants feed off soil nutrients required for their healthy growth and development. Over time, if these nutrient supplies are not replenished, soil will be incapable of sustaining plant life. Fertilizers are used to put these nutrients back into the ground. Organic fertilizers like livestock manure improve soil quality, but they release nutrients slowly. Manufactured fertilizers, on the other hand, give soil the quick boost needed during the growing season. Pesticides also provide an agricultural benefit by controlling pests that can damage or kill plants, saving at least 8 percent of crops annually. ------------------------------------------------- Economics Use of modern day agricultural practices like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides provides economic advantages. For example, harvest yields are significantly increased, lowering production costs and making food more affordable. In addition, sufficient food can be grown to support a growing population, keeping people healthy and productive. Synthetic fertilizers deliver nutrients more uniformly and efficiently, are less costly and can be transported more easily than organic soil amendments. Pesticide production is a multibillion-dollar industry, and 40 percent of that manufactured in the United States is exported and sold elsewhere. ------------------------------------------------- Toxicity and Environmental Problems The pros of pesticide and fertilizer use are...
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...Organic Foods With the development of agriculture, more environment issues appeared because of using too much chemical pesticides and fertilizers. So people are looking for other new agricultures to instead of the old model such as the organic agriculture or organic food. Natural farming is based on the observation of nature and allowing it to do what it naturally does best. (Fukuoka 284) What organic food means? According to the Organic.org website, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones (Organic.org). The chemical pesticides are the most of direct elements for which do harm to the environment. So organic food without these negative factors is benefit for environment. Then what does organic food effect environment? The first of all is organic food can prevent soil pollution. “Organic farms protect the environment by building soil organic matter and by mimicking natural systems rather than relying on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.” (Organic Food) The development of organic food is originated from the development of organic farming. It applies developed biotechnology to organic farming. Organic food is based on the relationship between land, animals, human, bio system and the healthy agricultural production system. The basis is maintaining...
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...without using modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. (Wikipedia, 2011, para. 1). Some people think organic foods are healthier than the traditional foods, some people oppose this opinion. The most important difference between organic foods and traditional foods is the farming method. The different farming methods have the different levels impacts on the environment. Traditional Foods Farming V.S. Organic Foods Farming Traditional foods are produced with traditional gardening, the production based on hybridizing. Before we use chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, the farmers used to use the animal manure to give nutrition to the seeds. The seeds absorb the nutrition from the land and the animal manure to grow up. The traditional agricultural system can classify into “Mixed Subsistence Farming”, the livestock and crops combined into one ecosystem (Biology, 1998, para.1). Organic farming method restricts to use natural pesticides and fertilizers. The organic farming focus on keeping good soil structure and fertility, and the farmers need recycle and compost crop wastes, animal manures, crop rotation, and green manures.(Infonet, n.d., para. 2). The Environmental impact of Traditional Farming Traditional farming has a vast impact on the earth. Fertilizers and pesticides are major causes of water pollution. The crops can absorb fewer fertilizers, the rest fertilizers will go to the rivers, or the lakes, which will lead...
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...It is toxic to bees and causes colony collapse disorder among them. Colony collapse disorder is when workers bees suddenly disappear from their bee colony. It causes adult bees to be absent with dead little bees. This is caused by honeybee enterprises feeding their bees high fructose corn syrup. For instance, a research project was conducted where there are five hives and four of them would be fed high fructose corn syrup with pesticides in them and the fifth would be fed just high fructose corn syrup (Helman 3). At first, nothing seemed to happen but as the experiment continued and a large mass of bees were seen fleeing from their hives. After several weeks, 15 of the 16 hives the researchers had fed the pesticide had colony collapse disorder showing that high fructose corn syrup, although not a direct cause of it, still causes the bees to become weaker and more vulnerable to pesticides (Helman...
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...in organizing, education and services among indigenous women in the Cordillera Region, Philippines since 1987. CWEARC is presently working together with Innabuyog in empowering the indigenous women of the Cordillera through organizing, capacity building and advocacy on indigenous women’s issues. At the same time, CWEARC assists community-level women’s organizations address their socio-economic needs and problems. Contact: #16 Loro Street,Dizon Subdivision, Baguio City Email: cwerc@mozcom.com PEAC Pesticide Eco-Alternatives Center The mission of PEAC is to reduce the use of harmful pesticides in China and to promote alternative ecological forms of pest control, and eventually protect the human health and ecological health for sustainable development. PEAC seeks to reduce the use of harmful chemical pesticides in China through a consumer-driven and farmer-centered participatory-approach. It focuses on: 1. Training and empowering farmers 2. Promoting consumer’s awareness of pesticide dangers 3. Protecting Women Health 4. Advancing Alternatives and Ecological Agriculture 5. Developing appropriate policy responses and advocating...
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...According to the EPA 5.9 billion pounds of pesticide are used annually in the US. As a result, the average American’s body contains over thirteen different types of pesticides. How are most of these pesticides entering our bodies, through the food we consume. So, why does our food contain so many pesticides, because over 70% of it comes from Industrial Farming Operations. Today I would like to talk about multiple reasons as to why we need to move away from Industrial Farming and towards a more sustainable type of farming. What is Industrial Farming? Industrial Farming is a type of farming that maximizes production of food and profits by using excessive amounts of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and hormones that end up in what we eat, drink and breathe. What is Sustainable Farming? Sustainable Farming produces food without excessive use of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics or petroleum-based fertilizers. This practice encourages short and long term health benefits and lessens the likelihood of certain diseases. Pesticides Industrial Farming relies on the routine use of toxic pesticides applied to both crops and animals. These chemicals are known to pollute air, soil, water, and to have negative effects on human health. Sustainable farms minimize the use of pesticides and rely on alternative forms of pest control whenever possible. One such method, integrated pest management, involves carefully assessing the overall environment of a farm and using techniques including mechanical...
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...production. At the same time, conventional food production threatens the sustainability of the climate. In Canada, the agricultural sector is responsible for eight percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These emissions translate to 56.6 million metric tonnes of carbon equivalents. An extra three percent can be added to that number for “Agricultural fossil fuel and energy use” (Environmental p 111, figure 16-2). Canada needs to take responsibility and remedy emissions. Wonderfully, organic farming has the potential to mitigate climate change with sustainable food production by creating diverse farms that support farmers and soil health; and by drastically reducing GHG emissions by opting for inexpensive, low-energy, natural pesticides and fertilizers. Organic farming will mitigate climate change by protecting against soil erosion. Soil erosion is the removal of valuable topsoil sometimes caused by naturally occurring processes such as wind, rain, and drought. Often, soil erosion is caused by a combination of factors. For instance, if drought occurs topsoil becomes dry. If after the drought large amounts of wind approach that dry land in a storm, the soil will be blown away. Soil is a complex living organism filled with inorganic matter like sand, silt, and clay; and organic matter abundant with worms, microorganisms, minerals, nutrients, channels for carbon and oxygen exchange, and decomposing plant matter called humus. The most necessary function of the soil is for it to...
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...In my opinion, I would say that the US farm policy is the most at blame for the Hypoxic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. I don’t think it’s simply that farmers do not care about the environment, rather our policies with fertilizer and pesticide are too intriguing to them to get the best possible yields. They are pushed to grow as much as possible, as they will get better subsides as well as make more money, and this is made possible by our advances in fertilizer and pesticides. Farmers quite commonly use more fertilizer/nitrates than needed because it simply doesn’t hurt the crops, and will make them grow better. This is the same for pesticides. Farmers use extra pesticides to keep insects from destroying their crops, possibly before they even have an insect problem in the first place. It can almost act as an insurance for them that they will get the best possible crop possible. While doing this doesn’t harm them or their crops, it does harm other things in the environment they may not even be aware of. Like the decline in monarch butterflies. Heavily spraying pesticides can affect their reproduction as well as the milkweed in which their young use to eat. So, they may or may not be aware that their heavy use of fertilizer and pesticides is affecting other things in the environment, but the US farm policy has been shaped by agribusiness interests, so even if they are aware, it is in their best interest to keep doing what they are doing to have the most successful...
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...and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weed killers, organic farmers conduct sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay. Organic farmers: • Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants. • Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease. • Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds. • Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease. Conventional farmers: • Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. • Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. • Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. • Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious. Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety...
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...to help make the decision that would keep everyone’s interest into consideration. The unknowns that should be included would have undoubtedly played a major role in determining the final decision to publish and act on the findings of the report. Because they were not revealed in the initial report it is relevant to keep them in mind. If in fact the use of pesticides and chemicals are adversely affecting the Minto-Park Island Park, it is in the Park Advisory Board’s interest to address the issues because...
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...Saving Energy Agriculture is at risk from climate change as temperatures, pest levels and growing seasons change. However, agriculture also contributes to these effects through emissions from fertilizers, water wastage and biological processes. A third of vegetables and fruit consumed in the EU are produced by protected horticulture. As 90% of the greenhouse growers are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), they have to compete with cheaper labor, production costs and regular supply from producers outside the EU. The EU-funded EUPHOROS project increased the efficient use of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides in protected horticulture. The four-year study, completed in August 2012, developed a sustainable greenhouse system that does not fully rely on fossil fuels for energy and minimizes the carbon footprint of agriculture. The project achieved a 50% reduction in the amount of energy used as well as a sizeable saving of chemical inputs: a third less fertilizers and a tenth less pesticides. The result was a number of structured components that can be used by farmers across the EU, three of which contain innovative tools and systems to reduce energy, water, fertilizer, pesticide consumption and waste. Another intervention optimizes the growing environment, developing innovative and robust monitoring tools. A theoretical analysis was also conducted throughout the project to quantify the reduction of resource inputs and carbon footprint delivered by each component, together...
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...Title: to get organic food Specific purpose: Organic food advocates claim that organically grown foods are safer and more nutritious than foods raised with non-organic methods such as pesticide and non-organic fertilizer use, or antibiotic and hormone use. Thesis statement: Many people just don't trust these chemicals and don't want to put them into their bodies. Since virtually all non-organically produced foods contain residues of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals, the only way to avoid them is to buy organic foods. Introduction Organic foods are grown without using most conventional pesticides and fertilizers. A product that is identified as being organic is not produced by genetic engineering. Ionizing radiation and sewage sludge cannot be used in organic production or handling. Organic farming practices include soil and water conservation measures. Crop rotation, manure, and compost are used to improve the soil in place of using conventional fertilizers. Instead of using commercial insecticides or herbicides, organic farmers might use companion planting to discourage insects and mulch and hand weeding to control weeds. To be certified as organic, food products need to come from farms and processing plants that are certified as organic. This means that they are inspected by certified government officials to ensure that organic farms are up to USDA organic standards. The USDA is responsible for the organic labeling program and allows one of three possible labels: ...
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...high demand for food products. Consequently, there has been immersive use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. While use of these chemicals has increased food production levels, this benefits have come at an extremely high cost. The use of these chemicals has had serious negative implication on human health. This paper takes an analysis on the effects of pesticides, herbicides and hazardous wastes on human health. The paper looks at the health effects of commercial chicken rearing and commercial apple production. Summary of findings More than eighty percent of the chicken products that are consumed to today are from commercialized chicken (Badgley et al, 2007). Commercial chicken farmers use additive feeds to produce oversized birds. Further, the chicken feeds contain an antibiotic that is used to protect the chickens against potential illness of infections. These chickens are reared in an enclosed environment. Organic chicken farming entails use of natural or organic materials when rearing chickens. Furthermore, these chickens are organic in nature and are raised in a free movement environment. Additionally these chickens take a longer time to mature as compared to exotic breeds (Badgley et al, 2007). Apples are sprayed with pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers for over 15-20 times every year in many commercial orchards. The most commonly used pesticides include Organophosphates and Chlorpyrifos (Fluetsch, 1994). On the other hand, organic production...
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...hypothermia. “Every year, a number of oil spills occur due to faulty equipment, shipwrecks, or accident, and they kill indiscriminately affecting everything from the smallest organism such as plankton up to the largest mammals such as blue whales.” Dumping Pollution Plastic is the most common thing we see and found in the ocean. It harms our environment and it is often get mistaken as food by marine animals. One of the biggest source of ocean pollution comes from land such as oil, sewage, dumpster, agricultural farms, and automobiles (motor vehicles). Sewage is one of the main sources of nutrient pollution. It contains human waste from toilets that causes nutrients in the ocean, soaps and detergents, fertilizers and pesticides waste. And also, agricultural runoff contains fertilizers and pesticides that flows into rivers carrying toxic chemicals. Aquaculture damages marine fishes by farming fishes, mollusca, and aquatic plants and can also spread diseases and parasites. Thousands of these wastes are dumped in the ocean daily and every marine animals is affected by all man- made chemicals we dump in the ocean. We get contaminated by eating contaminated seafood that could lead to a serious health problem and can damage our immune system. Noise pollution How does noise pollution affect marine life? Marine animals use sound to communicate, hunt food, navigate, mate, and protect themselves from predators. Man- made noise such as ships and hydrocarbon exploration can cause harm to ocean life...
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...Bio Fertilizer .Com .: Organic Products Natural Products in Gardens and Agriculture Bio Fertilizer are natural and organic fertilizer that helps to keep in the soil with all the nutrients and live microorganisms required for the benefits of the plants. The soil is alive and contains a lot of microorganism that produce natural N-K-P and other nutrients required for agricultre and plants. Using chemical products eventually will kill all this micro live and transform productive soils in sand in few years. Bio Fertilizer .Com is one organic center with information about natural products and eco friendly energies. Information Center about how to use Solar, Wind , BioDigestors and other sources of cheap energy for houses and business. Bio Pesticides are natural products that helps in the maintenance of gardens and organic food production. Read the Biology of Microorganisms to learn more about the scientific basis. Introducing the basics of the science of Biology of Microorganisms and its applications, as fertilizers or composting for example. Organic Farming State The World of Organic Agriculture: More Than 31 Million Hectares Worldwide The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), and the Foundation Ecology & Farming (SOEL), Germany, presented the latest global data on organic farming at the BioFach fair 2006 in Nuremberg, the world leading fair for organic food. According to the survey,...
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