Hazards of Industrial AgricultureHazards of Industrial AgricultureKey: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary

What are the hazards of industrial agriculture?

Organic Farming: A Growing Organic Farming: A Growing TrendTrend• Consumer demand for organic farming is rising at 20%

per year.• The highest growth is in Argentina, US, and China.• People are growing conscious of adverse effects of

industrial agriculture, where there is a focus on maximizing profits at the expense of health and the environment.

How do you think industrial agriculture contributes to global warming and water pollution?

Health Risks: Industrial Health Risks: Industrial MethodsMethods• Pesticide residues on produce

remain after washing and peeling. have links to cancer.

• Antibiotics we ingest from plant and animal sources lead to the development of untreatablesuperbugs

Do you worry about pesticide residues on or antibiotics in your food? Explain.

Additional Health RisksAdditional Health Risks• Plant and animal growth hormones

disrupt endocrine system. lead to early puberty.

• Biological engineering Unregulated items are virtually invisible in stores. Manipulation of genetic code could impact health.

How do you think genetically modified food might impact your health?

Environmental HazardsEnvironmental Hazards• Environmental hazards comprise air pollution, global

warming, and other problems.• Synthetic fertilizers

largest source of nitrous oxide emissions 300 times more toxic than carbon dioxide gases will affect air pollution and intensify global warming if continued

Are you concerned about air pollution in your country? Why or why not?

AuthoritiesAuthorities on Water Pollution on Water Pollution• Animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides leach into soil.

They run off through irrigation and contaminate ground water (large portion of water supply).

They contain nitrates, which cause permanent damage to ground water.

Are you concerned about water pollution in your country? Why or why not?

Dead Zones in OceansDead Zones in Oceans• Preponderance of nitrogen in fertilizers

helps crops grow; harms oceans generates algal overgrowth

• Algal overgrowth depletes oxygen in water no plant or animal can survive

UnsustainableUnsustainable Soil Soil• Industrial mono-cropping: one crop is planted

repeatedly on a single field. The process relies on the use of synthetic fertilizers. Mono-cropping kills microorganisms needed to produce soil

nutrients. Infertile soil leads to erosion,

unsustainable farmlands, and reduced biodiversity.

If mono-cropping is destroying farmlands and biodiversity, what is the alternative?

Vicious Vicious CycleCycle• Soil infertility leads to a vicious cycle of fertilizer use.

Increasing fertilizer use leads toenvironmental hazards.

• Increased use of pesticides Only the fittest pests survive. Stronger pesticides are then needed.

What are the environmental hazards associated with the use of pesticides?

Organic FarmingOrganic Farming• Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms.• It ensures soil sustainability and overall quality.

What are the advantages of eating organic food?

Crop RotationCrop Rotation• Holistic farming techniques

infuse soil with essential nutrients. ensure different crops are planted every year. vary the nutrient demand in soil. create sustainable soil.

How does organic farming affect soil?

Animal Animal WelfareWelfare• Small-scale organic farms are

less likely to confine livestock to small spaces. against the use of antibiotics.

• Free-range farms allow animals to roam freely. reduce stress and susceptibility to disease.

How do you feel about confining animals to small spaces in order to produce food?