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5.3 Green Revolution 2020

The document discusses the Green Revolution and industrialized agriculture, noting that while the Green Revolution increased food production through mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, and crop improvements, it was not truly "green" or environmentally friendly. It notes the energy subsidies required for industrial agriculture through fossil fuel use for fertilizers, machinery, irrigation, and transportation. It also discusses the shift to large-scale monocropping, which while more efficient and productive, can increase vulnerabilities like soil erosion and pest outbreaks due to reduced genetic diversity.

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Mia Scott
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29 views12 pages

5.3 Green Revolution 2020

The document discusses the Green Revolution and industrialized agriculture, noting that while the Green Revolution increased food production through mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, and crop improvements, it was not truly "green" or environmentally friendly. It notes the energy subsidies required for industrial agriculture through fossil fuel use for fertilizers, machinery, irrigation, and transportation. It also discusses the shift to large-scale monocropping, which while more efficient and productive, can increase vulnerabilities like soil erosion and pest outbreaks due to reduced genetic diversity.

Uploaded by

Mia Scott
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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5.

3 The Green
Revolution and
GMOs
z

Industrial agriculture

Mechanization and standardization applied


to food production
Energyz

subsidy
 Fossil fuel energy and
human energy input per
calorie of food produced
 In US: 10-calorie energy
input for every 1 calorie
you consume (Michael
Pollan)
 Most of this is due to fossil
fuel use
 Fertilizers,pesticides
 Tractors, machinery
 Irrigation
 Transportation
• Shift to mechanization, fertilization, irrigation,
Green improved crop varieties over last 100 years
Revolution • Not “green” like environmentally friendly!
Mechanization
• Economies of scale:
average costs of
production fall as
output increases
• Large upfront
expenditure justified by
profits from increased
production
• Small farms cannot
expend the up-front
cost
• Large plantings of single
species or variety
Monocropping Benefits:
• Very efficient and
productive
• economical
Drawbacks:

• More soil erosion


• Higher vulnerability to
pests
• Loss of genetic
diversity
• lack of predators

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