Firstly, genetic diversity is the difference in traits due to heritable characteristics. It’s important as it provides differences in individuals, which some variations can help populations survive better because they’re better adapted. Suppose humans lost the Y chromosome, then males wouldn’t exist! Genetic diversity’s the foundation of biodiversity!
Industrial agriculture is modern farming where genetic technology is used to produce large amounts of food but it has little concerns for the environment, animal welfare or food safety.
Sustainable agriculture is the traditional way of farming.
This table’s self-explanatory.
Industrial agriculture is said to be the end of world hunger, but that’s wrong! There’s enough food in this world to feed everyone! If we rely only on genetically modified foods, we’re losing genetic diversity and causing extinction of species.
Industrial Farming’s:
Pros: low product costs, fast production, pest/disease resistance, herbicide/cold/drought tolerantCons: massive wastes, creates health problems for all organisms, replaces sustainable farming, treats animals terribly, pollutes environment, destroys genetic diversity.
Although the food’s cheaper, there’s more behind that cost. Industrial agriculture uses a lot of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, polluting the soil, water and air, harming all life on earth. Animals that naturally feed on grass are fed with processed grain, corn and hormones and antibiotics so they can fatten up, grow faster and fight off diseases. That’s very unhealthy and causes high levels of E. coli. Think about it, we’re eating all that. Don’t you realize the increased numbers of new diseases from animals?
Earth’s experiencing a rapid loss of biodiversity. The rate of loss right now is predicted as the greatest in history. I’m shocked to see what’s happening to the Earth right, as aftermaths of our actions. Industrial agriculture is pushing weaker breeds to extinction, and when a specie becomes extinct, they break their food web, which will destroy other organisms.
I think that most people in the world don’t put much thought into what they eat. When we eat, our first preference is taste. We don’t look at the long term effects it’ll have on us. I bet you didn’t know that beef in hamburgers could kill us! We’re oblivious to what our food is made up of, and how our choices of food can push species to extinction. What happened to living in harmony with nature? Right now we’re like a dominos chain, we’re the ones starting it, and we’ll be the last to fall. We’re destroying others, and in the end, we’ll only end up destroying ourselves. So help our environment and all living species by purchasing locally grown products, supporting our local farmers who practice sustainable agriculture. References:
"Biodiversity And Its Loss...What does it all mean?" Eco-Action. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.eco-action.org/dod/no8/biodiversity.html>.
18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.eco-action.org/dod/no8/biodiversity.html>.
"Factory Farming, what is factory farming?" Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Nov. 2010 . <http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/factoryfarming/>.
"Genetically Modified Foods - Harm or Helpful." CSA. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov.
2010 . <http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>.
2010
"Industrial agriculture." Economy watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 .
<http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html>.
<http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html>.
"Industrial agriculture." Grinning Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 .
<http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/04-06/industrial-agriculture-1-article.htm>.
<http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/04-06/industrial-agriculture-1-article.htm>.
"Industrial Agriculture - What's the real cost of cheap foods." Trusted. MD. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 . <http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2008/11/15/industrial_agriculture_whats_the_real_cost_of_cheap_food#axzz15ZsS2hCb>.
"The Issues, Biodiversity." Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 .
<http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/biodiversity/>.
<http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/biodiversity/>.
"Problems - Loss of Species." Web of Creation. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 .
<http://www.webofcreation.org/Earth%20Problems/species.htm>.
<http://www.webofcreation.org/Earth%20Problems/species.htm>.
"What is genetic diversity." Wise Geek. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2010 .
<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-genetic-diversity.htm>.
<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-genetic-diversity.htm>.
"What is sustainable agriculture?" Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov.
2010 . <http://www.sustainabletable.org/intro/whatis/.>
2010
Dora,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your points, that human should not only care on their short-term benifit and loss the balance of the genetic diversity. Also, as distracting the natural selction on the Genes did cost a lot of trouble as seen, such as the H5N1, and a lots of mutated forms.
Moreover, the damages to the environment by the industrial argrivculture is enormous, and finally we the human may face what we had sown.
The eliminating of the diversity, more and vigourous mutated virus, destruction on the enviroment, etc.
For these are not the favourable outcome as we or the nature wound like to experence however, we didnt notice the impact of it at the moment which might do greater harm in future.
I fear that if industrial agriculture continues on this path of destruction, we will have to say goodbye to various aspects of our ecosystems that we cherish and admire. These industrial companies are putting their needs before the animals. Diversity is the very aspect that keeps this world running smoothly, so we all have to do our part in sustaining a diverse environment.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Dora. Specifically enjoyed that second comic; with all that industrial farming is doing to its livestock, it's really no wonder there are outbreaks of flu and disease popping up left, right and centre!
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit overwhelming when I think about just how much hazardous chemical input goes into our food. It must scare many others too, as a lot of people choose to remain ignorant rather than informed when it comes to their food. Many are undervaluing biodiversity, and if it continues, it'll definitely prove to be fatal for all of us.
Rather than pointing out the negatives of industrial agriculture, maybe more people would listen if the benefits of sustainable agriculture were emphasized instead. For example, did you know that organic crops contain significantly more vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus?
Just a thought!
Inggrid
http://ih8biology.tumblr.com
I love the comics and visuals you always add to your blogs, Dora. :) But you also made very good points, explaining all the disastrous effects of what we are doing to our environment and the animals with Industrial agriculture. I like that you specifically emphasized the effects it has on our personal health, talking about specific diseases caused by genetically modified foods.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion: You said that sustainable agriculture is self-explanatory; you might still want to add more of an explanation on how it benefits us, aside from it being the alternative to industrial farming.
I completely agree with your stance on industrial agriculture! You've pointed out the dangers and the nonsense of it all perfectly. I love the choice of visuals you used: the comics were hilarious and totally reinforced the point.
ReplyDeleteDiversity is certainly something that we must try to preserve - not eliminate it! Fantastic!
Your domino metaphor was also great, you certainly put things into a perspective: that we're basically destroying ourselves.
I enjoyed it. It was educational and very insightful!
Once again, humans do really need to realize the effects that we have on others. We aren't the only species living in the planet. I agree, biodiversity is very important. Diversity is what saves a species from extinction, and if it's starting to decrease, then we have a problem on our hands. The domino metaphor was spot on! We are creating the problem, but we don't even realize that it's us that will have the most losses. If we continue at this rate, some types of crops are bound to extinction, leaving us and our future generation with no access to it. Lastly, we do need to support local farmers, especially sustainable farms. Sustainable farms are far more preferable than industrial farms, and better for the environment and for ourself. Still, I think we need to find a solution that will promote and conserve biodiversity, but still be productive enough to produce for the population. Great job Dora!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas. Biodiversity is very important and we do not realize that every time we eat fast food, for example, we are supporting industrial agriculture which is killing our planet. Even though the food may seem cheap, we are technically paying a much more expensive price because of the effects that making the food had on the environment. I agree that industrial agriculture will not end world hunger. Even if more food is produced, it is not evenly distributed around the world. We could depend on sustainable agriculture and if we were to distribute it around the world, then world hunger might end. There really are no benefits in industrial agriculture and risking the biodiversity of our animals and plants is unnecessary. Even though more food is being produced, all of it is full of chemicals and it could make us very ill as well.
ReplyDeletegreat post dora!
ReplyDeleteI made a lot of connections to your blog as I too, am overwhelmed at our actions as human beings. I agree with the fact that humans are not only harming the environment but their own kind as well. The table you have provided and all your other visuals explain all the reasons as to why sustainable agriculture is obviously the the better alternative in agriculture. I can definitely see how harming industrial agriculture truly is now. Advertisement create illusions that food is grown in a healthy environment opposed to the reality, which an unsanitary and confined area. They always try and trick the buyer of the products when what they should give the public is TRUTH! If more people knew how their food was made in industrial agriculture, less people would buy their food and turn to sustainable agriculture. Like you said, even though industrial is cheaper, in the long run it will have a negative effect on your body, your air, your water and your world.
Great post; you bring up some very good points.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that people often fail to realize the importance of biodiversity.
It seems that industrial agriculture is a habit that just stuck; something people started out in the past when they were thinking about all the wrong things. Now that we know better, it seems that this habit is still rather hard to break.
With demands for food growing, if we continue practicing agriculture the way we've done in the past, it won't be long before we end up doing damage to ourselves. It's a vicious circle, and one that we don't have much time to break, unfortunately.
I think that people need to start small--choose local, sustainable produce over imported goods--and move up from there. If people became aware of the damage industrial agriculture caused, and were provided with alternatives, we could solve this issue.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you that ‘although the food’s cheaper, there’s more behind that cost.’ The serious unintended consequences associated with industrial farming, such as pollution of air, water, land and food, as well as reducing genetic diversity, is not accounted for in the prices of the products. These consequences can be irreversible and cause permanent damage! The ‘cheap’ cost of the products of industrial agriculture is just too much to pay for.
ReplyDeleteOur world and future will be doomed if the practice of industrial agriculture is continued! Awareness of all the cost of industrial agriculture is the first step to convert our system to the better and longer-lasting sustainable agriculture system.
Overall, great blog, and the table you’ve included was very informative!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that everything isn't about us. We are not the masters of the Earth and we don't have the right to destroy it. Industrial farming might seems cheaper in a short period, but the health problems associated with it cost much more consequences. Eventually, we'll realize that sustainable agricultural is a slow, but long-lasting solution to the global human population.
ReplyDeleteI think machines are useful in agricultural industry. Certainly chemicals should be abandoned, but machines such as tractor and harvester should be encouraged in farming industry as long as we are not overusing them.
Great post!
Pauline
Hey Dora, your photos on your blog never cease to amaze me! I like the issues that you pointed out, and I agree that humans are very selfish in this world. Even though many people say that Industrial Agriculture is a bad thing rather than Sustainable Agriculture, they are still supporting it without noticing it. Even though there are many pesticides and crap in the food that we are eating, it's not making that much of a big impact on humanity. As far as pollution goes, it is a big issue indeed, but that is a future issue that we need to worry about later. What's most important right now is our food. If only there was a way to combine organic food and industrial agriculture, then that would be superb.
ReplyDeleteI liked your blog, especially the pictures you used to prove your points and to add humour to the post. Also, I enjoyed the example you used about the Y-chromosome in the human race. I thought this example showed how important genetic diversity is in biodiversity. In the blog, you only posted the pros and cons of sustainable agriculture. I think it would have been more effective if you had also added the pros and cons of industrial agriculture, for the readers to compare the two practices.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the comment on how people do not put much thought towards what they eat, and only care about the taste. Rather, I believe people do not KNOW what is in the food they eat. In the United States, food products that have been genetically modified are not required to be labelled as genetically modified food. Therefore the public is clueless about the food they are consuming. Food industries work hard to ensure that the public are unaware of the ingredients and process involved with the products. They claim that labelling the food would cause unnecessary panic among the public and is unfair, since the companies does not receive the chance to explain why genetically modified food can prove to be a benefit to society. Personally, I disagree with this statement and believe that the food industry has become corrupt and only cares about the cost and profit involved with the business. Their greed will lead to the abuse of agriculture and genetics and will eventually lead to the demise of various species. This will result in an unbalance in the food webs and ecosystems.