Unit 5 Topic 5 Flashcards
What are fertilizers?
A chemical or natural substance that when applied to the soil or land it increases the fertility of the soil.
What are herbicides?
A substance used for destroying unwanted vegetation
What are pesticides?
A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms that are harmful to cultivated plants or animals.
Who was Dr. Boman Borlaug?
The father of the green revolution. Helped develop Mexico’s yields in wheat. Make breakthroughs in how to produce better yields. Won the Nobel Peace prize. Saved millions from starving.
What are GMOs?
Genetically Modified Organism: An organism whose genome has been altered to promote specific traits that allow for increased production in livestock production or crop farming.
What was the green revolution?
A period of significant development in agriculture that took place in the mid-20th century primarily in developing countries
What were causes of the green revolution?
Population growth: More people needed food
Technological advances
Government support
International aid
Market forces: Farmers saw more potential customers to sell to
What were positives of the green revolution?
Factories became more efficient with machinery
A more efficient transportation and trade all around the world allowed for a greater food surplus to occur
Reduced food prices
Decreased global hunger
High yield in many varieties of seeds
Increased food quality and nutrition
What were consequences of the Green Revolution?
Increase of soil erosion and destruction to the natural landscape
Animal cruelty and rights concerns
Increased use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
Decrease in family farms due to the amount of money needed to start a farm
Promoted the growth of fewer species of crops lowering the biodiversity around the world
The overuse of water sources like aquifers
Can cause social disruption for farmers
Income inequality can be seen with farmers and farming corporations
