Chapter 11 Summary and Learning Objectives

Agriculture

Chapter Summary

Agricultural systems have shifted dramatically over the past centuries, altering the way we produce, consume, and think about food. This chapter begins by considering agricultural production as an ecological process and the relationship between agriculture and climate change. This is followed by an examination of the ways that agricultural “revolutions” have industrialized the food production process, with emphasis on the Green Revolution, the Biofuel Revolution, and the Livestock Revolution. The authors then explore some of the environmental challenges facing global and Canadian agriculture, particularly the urbanization of agricultural land, land degradation, biocides, and intensive livestock operations. The chapter concludes with some identified solutions and strategies to reduce the negative environmental impacts from the agricultural sector. These sustainable food production systems include integrated pest management, integrated plant nutrient systems, no-till/conservation agriculture, organic farming, and local agriculture.

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

  • Describe the environmental and social impacts associated with the growth of agriculture
  • Discuss the global food situation and some of the factors that influence it
  • Understand agriculture as an ecological process
  • Discuss the implications of a diet with a high level of meat consumption
  • Describe the contributions of agriculture to global climate change
  • Outline the role of energy inputs in agriculture and the Green Revolution
  • Explain the nature and importance of biofuels and some of their advantages and disadvantages
  • Identify the main trends in Canadian agriculture and Canada’s contribution to the global food supply
  • Discuss the main environmental implications of agriculture in Canada
  • Describe the main problems arising from the use of agricultural chemicals
  • Explain the changes that must be made in order to move towards more sustainable modes of agricultural production
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