Environmental Issues in Agriculture

Many things contribute to the environmental issues in agriculture, whether it is global warming and climate changes, effects of irrigation, the use of pesticides or the decreasing quality of animal meat due to its high-stress killing process. Although some of these agricultural environmental issues are out of our control, it is important to acknowledge where the food we consume comes from, and whether or not we are buying it from the right place.

Global warming seems almost like an ancient topic, having been surrounded by those words for more than a decade. The fact remains; global warming has the potential to increase temperatures for growing seasons, but with each cause comes a lot of potential for bad effects.

Climate changes, occurring more and more frequently, result in extreme weather conditions, such floods, storms and dry spells, all of which have recently been actual occurrences, except for the latter. Storms and floods not only have the ability to directly ruin crops, but floods can also contaminate the water supply when it drags pollution and chemicals from nearby areas. In the case of a dry spell, weather conditions are extremely hot, and plants receiving plenty of sunlight would need ample water. The lacking water quality and effects of poor irrigation may curse the crops by the end of the growing season.

Unpredictable growing seasons as a result of climate change can affect the grower's yield, decreasing profits for the year. The use of pesticides is an ongoing controversy, as some people are weary of certain foods grown under harmful chemical conditions. Many vegans and health-conscious consumers lean towards organic products; meaning harmful chemicals are not used in the growing of the crops, resulting in a healthier and higher quality product.

Just the same, animals that are to be used for meat are fed organically, because, as the saying goes, you are what you eat. Animals that are raised in an organic environment are also killed in a different manner. High stress killing conditions in which animals are poorly kept and ruthlessly killed tend to have an effect on the quality of the meat. Even the eggs that come from poultry of a high stress environment are at risk of having poor quality.

Although many labels read that their product is natural, it is always a good idea to read or research exactly what is used during the growth of the plant or animal. Unless grown in a completely organic environment, chances are that some chemicals were used at some point in the "natural" environment to move the process along.

It is, again, important to note that not many of us are farmers, or even have a clue as to many of the environmental issues in agriculture, but awareness always plays a key role in understanding what it is our bodies respond well and poorly to. Go through your regular diet and research what it is you put in your body. People will be shocked at some of the findings, as many documentaries will point out, many go through life without ever questioning where it is the things they consume come from.