Sustainable Agriculture: The Ethical Choice for the Future

3280 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethics in our society

Sustainable Agriculture: The Ethical Choice for the Future

Thesis: The idea of sustainable agriculture is a legitimate, logical, and necessary approach to the new concerns and problems stemming from current agricultural trends in light of impending global food shortages and rapid depletion of natural resources.

Introduction

Agriculture has been a principal source of obtaining food to meet basic needs of humans for thousands of years. More recently, with the industrialization of agriculture, increased efficiency, and a decreased need for small rural farmers, there has been a resulting disconnect of consumers to the process in which their food is produced. As we are embarking on a new century, there is growing concern that perhaps our industrialized agriculture system is not functioning as effectively as it has in the past. It is time that we move to adopt a new paradigm as we realize the effects of modern agriculture on our environment, economic viability, and social justice issues, in light of the impending global food shortage. According to John Ikerd from the University of Missouri, traditional agriculturists currently foresee a continued trend toward fewer, larger, and more specialized production units. They see current trends continuing until a half-dozen or so multinational corporations control virtually all processing and distribution of agricultural commodities in a single global food and fiber market. With this movement continuing as it is now “there will be increasing reliance on biological technologies and information technologies at all levels within the global agricultural system. Forecasts of the continued industrialization of agriculture permeate both professional agricultural publications and the popular...

... middle of paper ...

...orld today. It is the ethical choice for those of us concerned with the well-being of future generations and the rural communities today.

Works Cited

Hassanein, Neva. Changing the Way America Farms. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1999.

Bird, Elizabeth Ann R., et al. Planting the Future. Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1995.

Pretty, Jules N. Regenerating Agriculture. Joseph Henry Press, Washington D.C., 1995.

“Why so much controversy over Genetically Modified Organisms?” October 25, 2003. <http://www.cimmyt.cgiar.org/ABC/10-FAQaboutGMOs/htm/10-FAQaboutGMOs.htm>.

Ikerd, John. "Sustainable Agriculture: A Positive Alternative to Industrial Agriculture" October 25, 2003 <http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/ks-hrtld.htm >.

“Disadvantages of No-Till” October 25, 2003. <http://pas.byu.edu/AgHrt282/Tillage/sld023.htm>

Show More
Related

  • Barbara Kingsolver Called Home

    1391 Words  | 3 Pages

    Moreover, this system of mass farming leads to single crop farms, which are ecologically unsafe, and the unnatural treatment of animals (Kingsolver 14). These facts are presented to force the reader to consider their own actions when purchasing their own food because of the huge economic impact that their purchases can have. Kingsolver demonstrates this impact by stating that “every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we

    Read More

  • Oppositions: An Analysis of Juxtaposition in The Alchemist

    569 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Alchemist Paulo Coelho presents a character, Santiago, torn between following tradition and his Personal Legend. Santiago tries to live true to his Personal Legend, which is a path pursued by those who strive to fulfill their purpose in life. Yet throughout the novel tradition, a motif, presents itself as a roadblock holding Santiago back from reaching his dreams. Coelho juxtaposes tradition against Personal Legend to illustrate its purely individual nature and the necessity of the acceptance of change to reach one’s dreams and goals.

    Read More

  • Agricultural and Rural Society After the Black Death

    1519 Words  | 4 Pages

    By exploring the past and its threats to human populations, the global modern mythology of sustainable agriculture can begin to be narrowed down as to the how and why rural communities may or may not have benefited from agricultural sustainability. By describing the dynamic analysis in the livelihoods of developing countries, the historical changes that had occurred in rural communities, can be understood. Halberg and Müller stated that globally “The world’s population was about 7 billion in 2010 and is expected to grow much more. The expected growth is highest in parts of the world that are vulnerable to hunger and adverse climate condit...

    Read More

  • Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: Synthesis Essay

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...for the most part where the theme is derived from in The Alchemist, they have minor differences in view points. These differences are for the most part in the impact of the theme and not in where the theme is seen. The analysis of The Alchemist and these articles really opens the eyes of the reader to what the true theme of the novel is. It will also help the reader realize the impact that this theme has on Santiago and even in his or her own life. They can apply this theme to their own journey and be one step closer to finding their personal legend.

    Read More

  • Santiago's Qualities In The Alchemist

    645 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel, "The Alchemist", by Paulo Coelho appears to me as a really inspiring, and encouraging adventure that happens to the main character. The main character, Santiago has to experience through many different difficulties, which include Gypsy woman, King of Salem, Soul of the World, and the alchemist. Santiago was trying to find his treasure following his personal n, however, he encountered many obstacles on his way. He has to sacrifice everything to find his treasure,however he deserve what he wants. Santiago meets many challenges, we believe that he can do it because "... when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." (Pg 22)

    Read More

  • The Omnivore's Dilemma Analysis

    1384 Words  | 3 Pages

    Our current system of corporate-dominated, industrial-style farming might not resemble the old-fashioned farms of yore, but the modern method of raising food has been a surprisingly long time in the making. That's one of the astonishing revelations found in Christopher D. Cook's "Diet for a Dead Planet: Big Business and the Coming Food Crisis" (2004, 2006, The New Press), which explores in great detail the often unappealing, yet largely unseen, underbelly of today's food production and processing machine. While some of the material will be familiar to those who've read Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" or Eric Schlosser's "Fast-Food Nation," Cook's work provides many new insights for anyone who's concerned about how and what we eat,

    Read More

  • Alchemist Essay

    689 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are countless heroes throughout literature. Their stories are all timeless and meaningful. The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, is home to one of these heroes with an incredible quest. Interestingly, it is quite common to see quests and journeys throughout all literature. In the Alchemist, the protagonist, Santiago, goes through many stages of being a hero such as, call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, crossing the threshold, and road of trials. Santiago clearly demonstrates all these stages throughout the entire novel.

    Read More

  • The Theme of “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho

    513 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Theme of “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho is, always follow your dreams and listen to your heart. At the start of the novel Santiago does not know what he should do when he is confronted by his dream. But by the end of the novel Santiago completely trusts his heart to guide him though life. Santiago’s story shows him learning and living out the theme of the novel.

    Read More

  • Difference Between Conventional And Conventional Agriculture

    2223 Words  | 5 Pages

    As the global population continues to rise, the amount of food needed to feed the people will increase as well. Two types of agriculture systems have been the backbone for crop production for decades if not centuries: conventional and organic agriculture— both methods could not be any more different. Conventional agriculture, a method that uses synthetic chemical pesticides, technologies or additives, and practices that are unsustainable is the leading producer for our food. On the other side of spectrum, organic agriculture generally, performed in a much smaller scale, does not use synthetic chemicals and utilize methods that are environmentally sound. Most conventional

    Read More

  • Effects of Agriculture on the Environment

    2078 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Agriculture

    2738 Words  | 6 Pages

    Logsdon, Gene. “What if Farming for Profit Really isn't Possible.” The Land Institute. Prairie Writers, 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.

    Read More

  • Cloud Computing Essay

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    In cloud computing, the word cloud is used as a metaphor for “the internet”. So the cloud computing means “a type of internet-based computing”, where different services such as servers, storage and applications are delivered to an organization’s computers and devices through the internet.

    Read More

  • Project Management Theory

    4264 Words  | 9 Pages

    Each change is evaluated through the analysis of project management theories, such as change management theories, risk management theories and finally change control theories. Secondly the variations are appraised with looking at limitations and opportunities, through evaluating, scope, cost, scheduling and risks. Thirdly the impacts are evaluated with the topics safety, contractual, commercial and technical to establish procedures for the change to be able to happen. Finally the potential consequences and significances to the High Speed Two Ltd and to the public are discussed.

    Read More

  • The Benefits Of Sustainable Agriculture

    2176 Words  | 5 Pages

    Agriculture is one of the most ancient forms of art and science that ties human development and well-being to natural resources and ecosystems. (Fritz J. Häni, 2007) Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant and animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare. (Sustainable Agriculture - The Basics, 2015) Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site – specific application that over the long term will:

    Read More

  • The Workshop of the World: The Industrial Revolution

    1441 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Industrial Revolution that occurred between the eighteenth and nineteenth century has been characterized as a transformation of a society no longer rooted in agricultural production. A burgeoning relationship between society and technology is at the core of what allowed Britain to emerge as the world’s first industrialized nation. This interaction between political, social, economic and demographic forces altered almost every aspect of daily life, bringing about “modern” economic development due to continual progress in all sectors of the British economy (Mokyr, “Industrial Revolution”). Amid intensified economic activity and competition throughout the world, Britain struggled for raw materials, markets for their commodities, and places to invest their money. In response to Britain’s growing authority, and in order to compete economically and politically, continental Europe attempted to replicate Britain’s technological innovations, but not necessarily in identical fashion. In this essay I am going to outline the most important factors that brought Britain to the pinnacle of industrialization.

    Read More

More about Sustainable Agriculture: The Ethical Choice for the Future

Open Document