Modern Agricultural Concerns Information compiled by Mrs. Renate Blennert

Genetically Modified Foods The desired qualities are genetically engineered sometimes cassava example Some feel that they are just as safe to eat as conventional foods, others feel that there are significant risks. Potential risks – health, ecological, economic, control of food by large corporations Many countries do not allow genetically modified products in the markets – Europe, most of Africa (with an exception of two countries). The U.S. does allow genetically modified foods and does not require labeling. This year the USDA approved the apples that do not brown for sale (they could end up in school lunches)

Environmental Impacts of Commercial Agriculture

The challenge of feeding everyone

Globalization Does Globalization mean that one day we will become the same culture? The decline of linguistic and cultural diversity is linked to the loss of biodiversity, a study has suggested.

Sustainability

Carrying Capacity The maximum number of people the planet can support indefinitely.

Consumption This is also known as Environmental Footprint – the amount of land in hectares needed to support an average person’s lifestyle.

Exploitation

Inequality, Inequity

Indigenous

Biodiversity

Homogeneous

Impact

“Inputs”

Adaptive

Famine The Irish Potato Famine - Beginning in 1845 and lasting for six years, the potato famine killed over a million men, women and children in Ireland and caused another million to flee the country. North Korean Famine – from 1994 and lasting for 4 years, the lack of support from the former Soviet Union and mismanagement of resources caused severe lack of food and water which killed around 3 million people Famine in Ethiopia – from 1883 and lasting two years crop failures and population growth caused a famine. Mostly subsistence agriculture is vulnerable to crop failures. It caused over 400,000 deaths.

Drought

Subsidy, to subsidize