Unsustainable Farming Methods and Indutrial Activities

For centuries, farming has been essential for human survival. However, recently, land use has been overexploited. Intensive farming methods aimed at higher production and profits, extensive pesticide use, and over-plowing have led to land degradation and desertification. Ancient practices like crop rotation or inter-cropping declined after the Green Revolution, giving rise to new agricultural methods. The use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and high-yield varieties (HYVs) increased dramatically. While this benefited human society, particularly in developing nations, by keeping pace with population growth during the Industrial Revolution, it left an indelible impact on the environment that continues today. Desertification and deforestation are merely byproducts of these processes. More than 40% of the Earth is already desertified. According to the UN, 3 out of 4 people worldwide will face water scarcity by 2050, and one-third of the Earth's land has been deforested. Both of these processes are expected to increase in the coming decades.

The Industrial Revolution, which aided the Second Agricultural Revolution and the Green Revolution, also created lasting impacts. During the period from the 1760s to the 1840s, people's lives changed significantly as job opportunities increased, manufacturing costs decreased, and technological advancements in transportation and communication systems shaped the global economy. However, this left a mark on the environment. The exploitation of nonrenewable resources like fossil fuels and wood, previously used in Britain, led to water and air pollution, harming both the environment and people. One major reason you cannot swim in the Hudson River is pollution from the Industrial Revolution. The industrial processes caused destruction to the environment, animals, and humans, as these dangerous pollutants took thousands of lives. These industrial patterns continue today. In less developed regions, resources, land, and labor are exploited for cheap manufacturing of products, perpetuating environmental impact. The only way to reduce this impact is by using renewable energy sources that are energy-efficient and emit fewer pollutants.

For decades, these processes have shaped human lives, from technology making life easier to food production supporting population growth. This has made the world what it is today. However, the unfortunate downside is that all this progress has come at the cost of the environment. There are many solutions, and if we all contribute, we can have a lasting impact.