Enviromental Problem - Essay Example

Environmental Problem Environmental Problem Our habitat or the environment is an extremely crucial element in the existence of human beings (Cone & Myhre, 2000). A majority of human beings, however, do not take this into consideration as it can be seen by the extent of waste being dumped into rivers and the pollution of air among other factors. Humans have put their lives first not forgetting that they dwell in the same environs, which they are polluting (Egan, 2003). Various companies such as Growing Power, Green for All, Smart Growth and Community Supported Agriculture among others have been erected in order to deal with this menace.

They have incorporated efforts that advocate for environmental conservation techniques (Egan, 2003). This paper will talk about Community Supported Agriculture and how it works to tackle environmental problems. Community Supported Agriculture, at times referred to as Community Shared Agriculture, (CSA) is an optional, locally-based socio-economic replica of food and agriculture distribution (Groh, 1998). The organization is based in North America. CSA also refers to an association or network of individuals who have vowed to support or aid one or more local farms, with farmers and their clients sharing the benefits and risks of food production.

CSA subscribers or members settle their debts at the beginning of the planting season for a share of the estimated harvest (Cone & Myhre, 2000). Once harvesting starts, they get weekly shares of fruits and vegetables, in a vegetable box scheme, as well as herbs, honey, cut flowers, dairy products, eggs and meat. The environment’s benefit, according to the organization, is quite fair (Local Harvest, 2012). The minimal transportation needed to transport food, and agricultural material locally is a substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

CSA transportation of foodstuff, therefore, reduces the emission of toxic fumes into the environment (Local Harvest, 2012). A majority of CSA farmers also produce their food with no organic fertilizers or pesticides. This is because the organization advocates for natural production of food with as little chemicals as possible, and this limits the effect that chemicals have on the environment (Local Harvest, 2012). The human created nitrogen used as fertilizer for crops caters for 75% of human created nitrogen, which brings about eutrophication, substantially harming aquatic ecosystems.

Furthermore, the environment benefits indirectly through the exclusion of the farm’s need for financial support (Speth, 2008). Farm subsidies can encourage overloading of croplands, causing compaction of topsoil and soil erosion, pollution from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, release of greenhouse gases and denitrification of soils among other severe effects. Biocides have also developed into critical matter (Speth, 2008). At least 500 million pounds of biocides are applied each year in the United States alone, only 1% of which ends up killing the pests they were meant to.

CSAs avoid, at all costs, using biocides, and follow the traditional or customary CSA methodology of organic farming (Cone & Myhre, 2000). The development of the environmental movement has assisted CSAs to grow. Concern for a clean environment is the main reason that people join the CSA organization (Cone & Myhre, 2000). Other key reasons for belonging to the organization are a need to eat vegetables, source of organic food, and aid of local food sources. These reasons are all related to the environmental movement, matters, which pertain to spending locally and sustainability (Speth, 2008).

The environmental movement also had extensive influence over the awareness of the matters surrounding pesticide use, which will largely influence others to stops using the chemicals. ReferencesCone, C., & Myhre, A. (2000). Community-Supported Agriculture: A sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture? Human Organization 59(2), 187-197. Egan, T. (2003). Community supported agriculture: How this organization has improved farming. New York: New York Times.Groh, T. (1998). Farms of tomorrow revisited: Community Supported Farms-Farm supported communities.

New York: McMillan Publishers. Local Harvest. (2012). Community Supported Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.localharvest.org/csa/b Speth, J.G. (2008). The bridge at the edge of the world. New Haven: Yale University Press.