The Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals of Georgia

Essay on Organic vs. Sustainable Agriculture - 1357 Words

Organic vs. Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture, to many is just an industry of farmers and cows. Most people can’t even come close to fathom just how essential the continuance of agriculture is to not just our well being, but our very lives. People of the United States have been spoiled, they’ve never had to worry about the grocery stores running empty because, even to this day, there hasn’t been a problem growing enough to feed, not only the U.S. but a good part of the world too. The day though is fast approaching that we won’t be able to keep those grocery stores stocked. Due to the depletion of the vital resources, needed to produce our food, it is becoming increasingly challenging for today’s agriculturalists to feed the world.†¦show more content†¦To do this, all uses of pesticides, herbicides, chemical nutrients, genetically modified seed, and the list goes on and on. The producer relies more heavily upon the application of manure and in most cases is forced into highe r tillage to control weed pests. Although there is some other natural pest control methods, but the choices are pretty limited. Organic production’s man principle is to return organic matter back to the soil, as well as fetch premium market prices for their production. As for the history of the term â€Å"organic† and its association with agriculture as far as anyone can tell, at least in this country was around the 1940’s.( Gegner, L, Kuepper, G, 2004) Until 1962 Organic Agriculture really wasn’t something the general population knew about or even cared, but in 1962 Rachel Carson’s Silent spring came into print. The publication was a graphic statement about the harms of pesticides on the environment. This one book had a huge impact on the environmental movement of the 60’s and 70’s. With the environmental movement, the concept of Organic Agriculture finally took off (Gegner, L, Kuepper, G, 2004). From there on the Organic Agricultu ral sector has continued to grow and grow. Actually, from 1998 to 2003 the farm gate sales from organic production went from $93.8 to $154.8 million or by 53% (Fouche, C, 2006). From a market stand point, certain percentage of the population will pay a pretty penny extra for production stamped â€Å"organic,† thusShow MoreRelatedOrganic Agriculture, As Defined By The National Organic Standards Board1163 Words   |  5 PagesOrganic Agriculture, as defined by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): â€Å"Is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.† Which is very fancily put for agriculture with as little man made input as possible trying to farm, as they perceive at least, the most beneficial to theRead MoreSustainability Vs. Conventional Farming1 299 Words   |  6 PagesWalsh states that today, Agriculture takes up one third of the planet. (Walsh) Agriculture is the science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops, growing, feeding, breeding, and raising livestock. (Dictionary) According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), when you add the word sustainable to agriculture, it means an integrated system of plant and animal production having a site-specific application. (Gold) The sales of organics are at an all time highRead MoreOrganic vs. Conventional Farming: An Anthology757 Words   |  3 PagesPollan is of the idea that the use of organic farming detoxifies food and the environment. This includes using traditional food distribution methods such as free-range chicken. Horrigan, L., Lawrence, R., Walker, P. (2002). How sustainable agriculture can address the environmental and human health harms of industrial agriculture. Environmental Health Perspective . This article outlines problems that are associated with the current factory style animal agriculture. It points at ways of making the currentRead MoreWhy Organic Farming Is Capable Of Sustaining The Global Population891 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Components 1. Discuss the â€Å"problem statement,† (what is the issue we are addressing?) - The â€Å"problem statement† to these three articles is to see if organic farming is capable of sustaining the global population by weighing the pros and cons of organic vs conventional farming. 2. Who are the authors and what are their qualifications? - First author, DiGregori has neither expertise or credential; he is a phD in Economics and does not have any experience dealing with agronomy nor didRead MoreAgriculture : A Global Environmental And Humanitarian Issue1489 Words   |  6 PagesAgriculture uses the domestication and cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms to produce food, fiber, biofuel, medicinal and other products to help sustain and enhance human life. Agriculture has existed for over the last 10,000 years and is credited into propelling our civilization into the modern cultures and technologies we see today. Without the ability to store and domesticate plants and animals it is unlikely that we would have been able to evolve beyond our hunting andRead MoreThe Effects Of Pesticides On Organic Farming1653 Words   |  7 Pagesfarmers noticed a decrease in soil quality and crop health due to the use of chemical fertilizers (â€Å"Pesticides in Organic†¦Ã¢â‚¬  1). This drop in soil quality l eft the farmers no other choice but to cease the use of chemical fertilizers and begin implementing less harmful supplements in order to improve crop quality (â€Å"An Oral History†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). This less invasive method of farming, otherwise known as organic farming, takes into account â€Å"the medium and long-term effect of agricultural interventions† (â€Å"What Are the Environmental†¦Ã¢â‚¬ )Read MoreCommercial And Industrial Farming Vs. Farming1028 Words   |  5 PagesTopic: Commercial/industrial farming vs Family farming. Structure: compare and contrast Three focus Areas: Quality of food/meat. How how farms are run. Quality of the milk. Example paragraph Have you ever asked yourself why is sustainable agriculture is so much better than industrial agriculture? Or what s in the milk i drink or the meat that i eat? Every time you sit down for a meal containing meat or dairy you’re dining with unknown carcinogens, bacteria, and other contaminants that canRead MoreThe Old Way Of Farming Is The American Future1536 Words   |  7 Pages and climate changes are some of the issues that concern most Americans. The interesting thing about them is that they all are related to agriculture. For years, Americans have not had a lucid concept of what farming is,or the importance of it, and as a result, most people do not have a clear understanding about what are the real benefits of local sustainable food as well as the consequences of supporting the current food system, the industrial food chain. Indeed, the current food system is â€Å"preventing†Read MoreThe Planet World Will Be More Than 11 Billion People2214 Words   |  9 Page sAbstract By the end of this century, the planet world will be home to more than 11 billion people. Feeding all of them in a truly sustainable way remains undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges of this generation. The population boom is sometimes feared as one of the major leading problems to the food security and malnutrition issue; this essay analysis shows that the reasons many suspects are not entirely true; it’s not the number, nor is it about enough land. The world has already what’s requiredRead MoreOmnivores Dilemma1260 Words   |  5 Pagesdoes make an interesting point about the denaturalization of the food industry, but Michael Pollan overlooks the many benefits of the current system of food production, which allows humans to produce more food on less land than in pre-industrial agriculture which in turn allows for greater sustenance to the human consumer. Additionally, the proposals that Pollan makes are simply not feasible. He believes that the United States sho uld change from an industrialized food distribution system to a model

The Changing City How Lagos became a major player in the global community Free Essays

Introduction Logos in Time 1.1 A BRIEF HISTORY Modern day Lagos; previously known as ‘Eko’ (â€Å"war camp†) is said to have been founded by its Bini Conquerors. According to a UN Habitat publication (2006), ‘Portuguese traders visited the area in 1472 and soon after began trading in goods and slaves, naming the area around the city Lagos, meaning lakes. We will write a custom essay sample on The Changing City: How Lagos became a major player in the global community or any similar topic only for you Order Now ’ Later, post British colonial rule saw the establishment of the Dependency and AssociatedState of Nigeria in 1914, of which Lagos was declared the capital. During the 1960s-70s, as the capital, Lagos experienced rapid economic growth. This continued through to the late 1990s and to present day. In 1991, the then military president moved to a newly purpose built capital and as a result, Lagos lost some of its esteem. Nevertheless, it has retained its importance as the largest city and economic state in Nigeria. Today, Lagos has become a major player in the global community. How did the former British colonial state become so influential? LagosState 1.2 lAGOS, THE MEGACITY? Lagos, along with Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and Ikeja, are Nigeria’s main urban centres. The urbanisation process that has taken place in Lagos has been of such significance in the State and in Nigeria as a whole that it should receive special attention. As a result of its colonisation by Britain, Lagos represents most spectacularly one of those classes of Nigerian cities whose growth and development have been significantly contoured by western influences. Starting from small settlements made by the Awori (a subgroup of the Yorubas), first at EbuteMetta and later at Iddo, most likely in the early 17th century, the settlement of Lagos existed rather quietly up to the end of the 18th century. It’s a city that confounds and amazes due to its striking contrasts†¦ Lagos is rapidly becoming Africa’s largest city attaining MegaCity status in 1995 as a result of its population surpassing 10 million. The population of Lagos is estimated to reach 24.6 million by 2015, overtaking the Egyptian capital Cairo as Africa’s biggest city. According to UN Habitat’s State of African Cities report (2010), the number of people living in African cities will triple over the next 40 years to about 1.23 billion people and by then (2050), 60% of Africans will be city dwellers. Currently, LagosState currently has a population of about 18.5 million and this surge brings it ever closer to being a global contender. It is a city that confounds and amazes due to its striking contrast between the wealthy and the poor members of the population. The population in Lagos has been said to have a density of 1,305 persons per square kilometre and has already far exceeded the national estimates of 85 persons per square kilometre. By the 1980’s, over 40 slums covering over 1,600 hectares were officially recognised on the state’s records. Unsurprisingly that figure rose rapidly to over 60 slums in 1995 and then over 100 by 2003 with the addition of fringe towns. With floating slums like Makoko on the fringes of the city, Lagos certainly lives up to the controversy surrounding modern megacities. With many of these fringe towns being outside of the reach of normal authority, people tend to form their own policing methods. 1.3 Economic Status Lagos is the commercial and industrial hub of Nigeria, with a Gross National Product three times that of any other West African country. Lagos has largely benefited due to natural resources in oil, natural gas, coal, fuel wood and water Nigeria has. Light industry was prevalent in post-independence Nigeria and petroleum-related industry dominated in the 1970’s, directly affecting the express growth Lagos has experienced. LagosIsland The 1950’s saw the start of the oil industry, which increased seven-fold between 1965 and 1973, while oil prices around the world skyrocketed. By 1978, the metropolitan area accounted for 40% of the external trade of Nigeria, containing 40% of the national skilled population. The global recession in 1981, which caused a sharp fall in oil prices, sent Lagos reeling into debt and runaway inflation that still is a problem today. Consequently, a massive programme of infrastructure and social services expansion came to an abrupt halt. Developments in energy and water access, sewerage, transportation and housing were all adversely affected by the chaotic development of a geographically displaced city. In addition, the democratic changes in government policy have helped to catapult the city’s economic growth. Previously officials we not very readily held to account for their actions and the real potential of the city was not recognized. Officials can now be more easily held to account for corrupt behavior. Even though Nigeria is notorious for fraud and corruption, the changes in the past 10-15 years have contributed positively to the city’s status. Independent investors viewed these changes as cause to improve local services such as investing in private education and healthcare, though there is still tremendous work to be done. Because of the huge demands on the cities resources such as its energy supply, problems with social infrastructure are more obvious, nevertheless, with a growing population, there will be growing demands on the supply of goods and services, and this will positively affect the economy. Major Problems 2.1 POPULATION As mentioned above, Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria. The unplanned growth of the population has it itself created a magnitude of problems. Lagos has more employment and educational opportunities than surrounding cities, so attracting thousands more people every day is a feasible concept. With space rapidly becoming an issue, accommodation prices sky rocket and become unreachable to the majority. As a result of this, slum type habitation becomes the norm. Canoed walkways like the one pictured above in Makoko, a growing slum in Lagos are typical around the city. Many of the residents there are fishermen attracted by job prospects of the big city because of its oil rich history. Two out of three Lagos residents live in a slum with no reliable access to clean drinking water, electricity, waste disposal – even roads. With the number of people entering Lagos every day, the problems associated with slum living will undoubtedly continue to increase. The city also has another problem. Because its shores are being constantly eroded, the inhabitants both old and the ones to come are ever losing precious land. Construction plans are underway to expand the city with constant supplies of water and electricity. 2.2 ECONOMY The economy of Lagos state is thought to be worth around $33bn, despite the habitual overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure and hellish traffic. As a result of said overcrowding, slums like the one mentioned above continue to grow. Government provided services like healthcare, education and police are not staples in these areas. The absence of the law supports the rise of Area Boys, who police their territory with threats and often violence. In addition, bribes and corruption have become common place. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. After its independence during the 1960s, billions of dollars of Nigeria’s oil revenue have been siphoned from state and government coffers by the actions of the country’s rulers. As a result of this widespread corruption and lack of enforced laws, the country’s economy does not reflect its true potential. Elections of officials are more regulated and checked, so there is improvement in the system but with the city so far behind its mega city colleagues, there is still a long way to go. 2.3 Social Structure Despite the huge numbers of people flocking to the city, large proportion of people in Lagos still live in rural areas. Family life is still an important aspect of African culture. Families however continually get separated due to elders migrating to the city for work. The migrants are often unsuccessful in their attempt at financial prosperity, but are too ashamed to return to their rural lives, and therefore continue to contribute to the problems surrounding Lagos’s MegaCity status. Other city linked attachments such as a functioning transport systems, healthcare, education are erratic at best in their availability within Lagos. In the late 90s, the education system did turn out a significant number of graduates. High paying jobs require decent standards of education for hiring, but since most people who come to the city are from rural areas, those jobs are not usually accessible to them. The transport system in Lagos is woefully inadequate to deal with the demands of its mega city status. The bus rapid transit (BRT) system has made a start towards tackling these problems. Since its inception three years ago, the BRT between Mile 12 and CMS stations has transported 170 million passengers and reduced travel times by 30 minutes according to reports. A bright future? With constantly changing dynamics in population, economy and social structure, LagosNigeria will undoubtedly continue to change and develop. As demonstrated above, these changes while bringing Lagos to the forefront as a MegaCity, have brought along its own set of problems. The growing population; while bringing along problems like overcrowding and slum villages like Makoko, the surge in the city’s inhabitants help to sustain and cultivate Lagos’s reputation as a major economic world city. Slum alleviation projects and major regeneration to infrastructure continue to take place. The future could indeed be bright for the complex and contrasting city, if its leaders operate to its benefit rather than to its determent. BIBLIOGRAPHY â€Å"A Tale of Two Cities.† UN Habitat. Version World Urban Forum 3. N.p., 19 June 2006. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. . Cossou, Egon . â€Å"BBC News – Lagos aims to be Africa’s model megacity.† BBC News – Home. N.p., 22 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . Echeron, Michael J.C. .Victorian Lagos: Aspects of 19th Century Lagos Life . London: Macmillan, 1977. Print. IRIN Africa | NIGERIA: Lagos, the mega-city of slums | Nigeria | Economy | Governance | Urban Risk .†IRIN †¢ humanitarian news and analysis from Africa, Asia and the Middle East – updated daily. N.p., 27 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . Nations, United . â€Å"United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.† United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2003 Revision. 1 (2003): n. pag. UN.org. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. Population Fund, United Nations. â€Å"UNFPA – State of World Population 2010.† UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund. N.p., 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. . UN Habitat. â€Å"State of the World Cities.† UN Habitat. N.p., 1 Jan. 2008. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. How to cite The Changing City: How Lagos became a major player in the global community, Essay examples