By: Matt SarfanDave MaserBen Trainer

The Effects of the Green Revolution

Almost certainly, however, the first essential component of social justice is adequate food

for all mankind. -Dr. Norman Borlaug

Dr. Norman Borlaug High yielding varieties of grainsMore irrigationModernization of management techniquesHybridizing seeds and distribution.Synthetic fertilizersPesticides

What Is The Green Revolution?

Dr. Norman Borlaug. Father of the Green Revolution

Cresco, Iowa March 25 1914Bachelor of science degree Masters and Doctorate in plant pathology.

Microbiologist

Dr. Norman Borlaug

Basic ProblemsExcess fertilizer (eutrophication)Creates nonpoint pollutionEconomic problemsLand degradation Soil nutrient depletion

MonoculturesFood chain problemsRisky due to pathogens

Increased PesticidesRuins all other biodiversityCreates strong home for pests

High Yielding Variety of Grains

New crops need more waterWater table has gone downCould cause arguments over lower water

amounts

More Irrigation

Loss of old seeds and genes.Unintended side effectsCan be dangerous for human consumption“Various feeding studies in animals have

resulted in potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, and testicles, partial atrophy or increased density of the liver, odd shaped cell nuclei and other unexplained anomalies, false pregnancies and higher death rates.”

Forces farmers to buy more

Hybridizing Seeds

Synthetic FertilizersToo much nitrogen in synthetic

fertilizers gives too much nitrogen.Ruins nitrogen: carbon balance

Causes plant to take up more waterMore expensive for farmersLower pest resistance

Harmful to humans and animalsGrowth issues to fetusesHurts brain cellsParkinson’s disease

Pesticide resistant pests developedRunoff

Pesticides

http://www.environment.ucla.edu/media/images/Fig3_56400-lrg.jpg

http://schools-wikipedia.org/images/570/57021.jpg http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGenetically

ModifiedFoods/FAQs/index.cfm http://www.organolawn.com/more_images/synthetic-

fertilizer.jpg http://livingheritage.org/green-revolution.htm http://

www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/images/2008/pesticide-spray%20besemer.jpg

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Chemical_Fertilizer_vs_Organic_Fertilizer

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/effects-of-pesticides/effects-of-pesticides