The following essay deals with agriculture as a polluter and contributor to climate change in the United States. I have chosen this topic because it currently has a high degree of relevance in the world, and I am very interested in this topic. I have also chosen this theme because I like to analyse current issues to determine the problems of the topic, and to calculate the impacts and to potentially find ways to solve problems. I think a good analysis of this topic needs to be made.
In recent decades’ attention has increasingly been drawn to global climate change because of the belief that changes are happening to the earth. Today the visible consequences seem like they are increasingly occurring. Examples of this are severe natural disasters, global warming and this in turn causes increased social disparities, especially so in developing countries.
Practices related to agriculture are a main polluter and therefore a contributor to climate change and a climate, especially in the United States. I will show this with my essay. For this I explain the reasons, problems, impacts and solutions. In addition, I'll show the view of the U.S. Government and what people can do about this problem.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is climate change?
3. Agriculture in the U.S.
3.1 Reasons and problems
3.2 Impacts
3.3 Solutions
4. Situation of U.S.A
4.1 View of U.S. Government
4.2 Counteractive measures of U.S. Government
4.3 View of the people in the U.S.A.
4.4 Organizations against climate change in U.S.A
5. Summary
6. Outlook
7. Appendix
8. References
8.1 Book resource
8.2 Internet resource
Objectives and Topics
This essay aims to analyze the role of industrialized agriculture in the United States as a significant driver of climate change, examining the environmental consequences and potential mitigation strategies within the current political and social landscape.
- Ecological impacts of intensive agricultural practices and land use.
- Greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizers and factory farming.
- Political challenges and the controversial stance of the U.S. government on climate policy.
- Potential sustainable solutions and efficient irrigation technologies.
- The influence of non-governmental organizations and public opinion on environmental advocacy.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Impacts
The intensification of agriculture brings ecological, economic and social consequences.
The large-scale cultivation of monocultures takes over the habitat of many plants and animals and leads to a loss of biodiversity. The large land management promotes the drying of the soil and soil erosion. Thus decreasing soil quality leads to a constant increase in the amount of fertilizers, and costly measures to try and improve soil quality. In addition, further drainage and irrigation continues to destroy wet biotopes.
The increased use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides affected in many parts of the plant- and animal life can lead to an increase in diseases. It also leads to the accumulation of contaminants in groundwater which will in turn end up in our food and the food that animals eat. The people drink the groundwater and eat the food and their health is placed in a state of increasing danger. It is also important to note that the health of farmers is at extra risk as a result of the handling of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Besides Pathogens, pests can develop resistance to pesticides and damage or contaminate the crop. This has dire financial consequences for the farmer because he cannot sell his crop.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the essay, focusing on how agricultural practices in the U.S. contribute to global climate change.
2. What is climate change?: This chapter defines climate change as a long-term increase in average global temperatures, influenced by human activities such as fossil fuel use and agriculture.
3. Agriculture in the U.S.: This section examines the drivers of agricultural intensification, the environmental damage caused by pesticides and factory farming, and proposed sustainable solutions like drip irrigation.
4. Situation of U.S.A: This chapter analyzes the controversial political climate in the U.S., the government's stance on regulation, public opinion, and the role of organizations like Greenpeace.
5. Summary: The chapter provides a concise review of how industrialized farming negatively impacts the environment and emphasizes the need for a shift toward sustainable practices.
6. Outlook: The author advocates for stricter environmental laws, international cooperation, and a fundamental change in consumer behavior to address climate change.
7. Appendix: This section contains visual data in the form of a diagram illustrating various agricultural emission sources.
8. References: This chapter lists the academic books and online resources used to support the analysis in the essay.
Keywords
Agriculture, Climate Change, United States, Greenhouse Gases, Factory Farming, Sustainability, Fertilizers, Drip Irrigation, Biodiversity, Soil Erosion, Environmental Policy, Greenpeace, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Emissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this essay?
The essay explores how modern, industrial agriculture in the United States functions as a major polluter and contributor to global climate change.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the ecological consequences of intensive farming, the role of greenhouse gas emissions (like nitrous oxide and methane), and the intersection of politics, environmental regulation, and consumer behavior.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze the problems associated with current agricultural models and to propose sustainable solutions that could mitigate environmental impacts.
What scientific perspective is used?
The author uses an analytical approach, examining statistical impacts and logical solutions for environmental issues, supported by cited literature and environmental reports.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the specific reasons for agricultural pollution, the direct impacts on ecosystems and human health, existing governmental policies, and potential technical improvements in farming.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is best defined by terms such as sustainability, industrialized agriculture, greenhouse gases, climate policy, and U.S. environmental challenges.
How does factory farming contribute to the issues mentioned?
The text highlights that factory farming is responsible for significant emissions, the destruction of natural landscapes for feedlots, and the release of carbon dioxide stored in forests.
What role does the U.S. government play in climate mitigation according to the author?
The author argues that the U.S. government faces significant internal disagreements and lacks a cohesive, forward-looking policy, often prioritizing short-term economic interests over environmental protection.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2015, Agriculture as climate killer in the United States, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/429444
