What Is The Issue Of Greatest Importance To You

What Is The Issue Of Greatest Importance Toyouregarding The Sustainabi

What is the issue of greatest importance to you regarding the sustainability of agriculture? Each discussion will last for two weeks in Canvas. During the first week you must consider the posted question and respond to it by Sunday evening. Your post should be a thoughtful response and should include outside reference material from the internet or primary literature. Here we go: Module 1 deals extensively with the tenets of conventional agriculture that present barriers to sustainability.

For this discussion, please consider; What is the issue of greatest importance to you regarding the sustainability of agriculture? There is no right answer. I want to hear which of the issues discussed in the text and video presentations are most important to you and why. Utilize the primary and/or popular literature (Make good choices here, folks!) to select your issue. Then pursue further details about areas of research or innovation which may provide more sustainable options for agriculture in the future.

Here are some readings to get you started. These two articles present similar information, from the same lead author, in different versions from different types of publications. This article from the journal Nature is considered primary literature. Supplementary material is added for more detail: Foley, J. A. , et al . (2011). Solutions for a cultivated planet. Nature . 478, 337–342. (pdf) The second is from a recent issue of National Geographic. Although it is a highly respected publication this is considered a "popular" source since it does not contain the parameters of primary literature (most notably, it is not subjected to the peer review process). Most photographs were removed to keep down the file size.

Foley, J. A . (2014). A five step plan to feed the world. National Geographic, 225 (5) , 27 – 47. (pdf) Keep in mind that an environmental issue is a complex problem with many variables which are constantly changing. The relationships between the variables are also changing.

Some variables are beyond our control. Environmental issues involve ecologic, social, and economic perspectives. Although broad agreements are often difficult, we still must make decisions in an attempt to find solutions.

Paper For Above instruction

In addressing the question of the most critical issue affecting the sustainability of agriculture, it is essential to recognize that the challenge is multifaceted, involving environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, based on current global trends, I believe that the over-reliance on conventional agricultural practices, particularly the dependency on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and monoculture cropping systems, constitutes the most pressing issue threatening sustainable agriculture.

Conventional agriculture has historically prioritized maximizing short-term yields through intensive use of chemical inputs and monocultures, which often lead to significant environmental degradation. For instance, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers has resulted in nutrient runoff, causing eutrophication of water bodies and loss of biodiversity (Foley et al., 2011). Similarly, heavy pesticide application has adversely impacted non-target species, including pollinators critical for crop pollination (Kremen & Miles, 2012). Monoculture farming reduces genetic diversity, increases vulnerability to pests and diseases, and depletes specific soil nutrients, leading to long-term soil health decline (Gattinger et al., 2012).

This reliance on chemical-intensive monocultures is closely linked to the broader issues of soil degradation and climate change. Soil erosion and depletion of organic matter diminish land productivity over time, necessitating the use of chemical inputs to sustain yields, thus perpetuating a vicious cycle of environmental harm (Lal, 2015). Moreover, conventional farming practices are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture accounting for approximately 24% of global emissions (IPCC, 2014). This environmental impact of conventional agriculture underscores the necessity for a paradigm shift toward more sustainable practices.

To address these concerns, sustainable alternatives such as agroecology, organic farming, and integrated pest management have demonstrated promise in mitigating the negative impacts of conventional practices. Agroecological systems emphasize biodiversity, crop rotation, and conservation tillage, which improve soil health, reduce chemical dependency, and enhance resilience to climate variability (Altieri et al., 2015). Organic farming, despite sometimes yielding lower initial outputs, promotes soil fertility through natural amendments and minimizes environmental contamination (Reganold & Wachter, 2016). These practices, supported by ongoing research, suggest pathways toward resilient and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Further research and innovation are crucial for scaling sustainable practices globally. Techniques such as precision agriculture harness technology to optimize resource use, reducing waste and environmental impact (Zhang et al., 2017). Additionally, breeding crops for pest resistance and drought tolerance can decrease dependence on chemical inputs and irrigation (Bertin et al., 2014). Policymaking also plays a vital role by incentivizing sustainable practices and supporting farmers during transitions from conventional to sustainable systems (FAO, 2018).

In conclusion, the over-reliance on chemical inputs and monoculture practices in conventional agriculture presents a significant threat to the sustainability of food systems worldwide. Transitioning to more diversified, organic, and technologically advanced practices offers a promising pathway to safeguard environmental health and ensure food security for future generations. Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts across scientific research, policymaking, and stakeholder engagement to create resilient agricultural landscapes capable of adapting to ongoing environmental changes.

References

• Altieri, M. A., Nicholls, C. I., Henao, A., & Vazquez, E. (2015). Agroecology and the design of climate change-resilient farming systems. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35(4), 869–890.
• Bertin, R., Brummer, C., & Frohberg, R. (2014). Breeding for drought resistance in crop plants. Journal of Plant Research, 127(3), 389–400.
• Gattinger, A., et al. (2012). Enhanced top soil carbon stocks under organic farming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(44), 18226–18231.
• IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
• Kremen, C., & Miles, A. (2012). Ecosystem services in biologically diversified versus conventional farming systems: A meta-analysis. Ecology Letters, 15(10), 1–8.
• Lal, R. (2015). Restoring soil quality to mitigate soil degradation. Sustainability, 7(5), 5875–5895.
• Reganold, J. P., & Wachter, J. M. (2016). Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century. Nature Plants, 2, 15221.
• Zhang, Y., et al. (2017). Precision agriculture—A worldwide overview. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 134, 169–184.