A pesticide is a substance or a combination of several substances of either biological or chemical origin that is utilized by humans for repelling or mitigating pests that affect human health or food production. These pesticides normally act through disrupting certain components of the life processes of the pests so as to inactivate or kill them. Some of the examples of pesticides include substances like herbicides, desiccants, insect attractants and growth regulators.
Pesticides have been seen to play a major in climate because of the use of non renewable fossil fuels during the process of manufacturing them. Furthermore, modern agricultural practices also contribute to atmospheric change due to the over-reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. Pesticides also degrade the soil, an action that releases carbon dioxide and contributes to atmospheric change.
Since temperatures have really warmed over the years, the variety and amount of pests have greatly increased. Several studies carried out by University of Washington now portray that pest species that acclimatize to warm climates also enhance their population growth rates. This means global warming is surely going to result in enhanced pest populations. Actually, entomologists in England have seen a rise in the population of various insects like ticks, encephalitis and mosquitoes. Scientists even believe that disease transmission will increase due to insects shifting their geographic range. This will enhance their biting and reproductive rates and also shorten their incubation period.
Besides an increase in pests and pest-borne diseases, weeds have been seen to thrive because of high carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Studies show that noxious weeds are more acclimatized to the changing weather conditions than most crops. As such, researchers predict more weeds in both rural and urban regions. Other research also shows that the common pollen allergens like the ragweed pollen might be even getting worse due to worldwide climate change also.
Regardless of the rising number of pests brought about by climate change, using pesticides is really not the solution. This is because pesticides only result in more climate change issues, together with risking the health of the ecosystems and our health as well. Studies show clearly that traditional landscaping practices normally cause emissions of greenhouse gases at higher rate of four times more than the capability of the lawn to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
For example, a pesticide known as sulfuryl fluoride has been discovered to have strong greenhouse gas properties. Research shows that this particular pesticide is about 5000 times more effective at heat trapping as compared to carbon dioxide, which is a key atmospheric contributor of climate change. Currently, this pesticide is already present in our atmosphere, but in lesser concentrations in contrast with CO2. That is why scientists recommend that pesticides are curtailed before they become more of an issue.
The best way of reducing the effects of pesticides on atmospheric change is through growing an organic farm. Actually, research clearly suggests that using organic farming methods will significantly lessen carbon dioxide emission by almost 50%. Furthermore, it will not only lower the overall costs for farmers, but it will also enhance the capability of our planet to completely absorb and use greenhouse gases. In conclusion, organic methods have the potential restoring soil fertility and lessening the effects of atmospheric and climate change.
Pesticides have been seen to play a major in climate because of the use of non renewable fossil fuels during the process of manufacturing them. Furthermore, modern agricultural practices also contribute to atmospheric change due to the over-reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. Pesticides also degrade the soil, an action that releases carbon dioxide and contributes to atmospheric change.
Since temperatures have really warmed over the years, the variety and amount of pests have greatly increased. Several studies carried out by University of Washington now portray that pest species that acclimatize to warm climates also enhance their population growth rates. This means global warming is surely going to result in enhanced pest populations. Actually, entomologists in England have seen a rise in the population of various insects like ticks, encephalitis and mosquitoes. Scientists even believe that disease transmission will increase due to insects shifting their geographic range. This will enhance their biting and reproductive rates and also shorten their incubation period.
Besides an increase in pests and pest-borne diseases, weeds have been seen to thrive because of high carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Studies show that noxious weeds are more acclimatized to the changing weather conditions than most crops. As such, researchers predict more weeds in both rural and urban regions. Other research also shows that the common pollen allergens like the ragweed pollen might be even getting worse due to worldwide climate change also.
Regardless of the rising number of pests brought about by climate change, using pesticides is really not the solution. This is because pesticides only result in more climate change issues, together with risking the health of the ecosystems and our health as well. Studies show clearly that traditional landscaping practices normally cause emissions of greenhouse gases at higher rate of four times more than the capability of the lawn to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
For example, a pesticide known as sulfuryl fluoride has been discovered to have strong greenhouse gas properties. Research shows that this particular pesticide is about 5000 times more effective at heat trapping as compared to carbon dioxide, which is a key atmospheric contributor of climate change. Currently, this pesticide is already present in our atmosphere, but in lesser concentrations in contrast with CO2. That is why scientists recommend that pesticides are curtailed before they become more of an issue.
The best way of reducing the effects of pesticides on atmospheric change is through growing an organic farm. Actually, research clearly suggests that using organic farming methods will significantly lessen carbon dioxide emission by almost 50%. Furthermore, it will not only lower the overall costs for farmers, but it will also enhance the capability of our planet to completely absorb and use greenhouse gases. In conclusion, organic methods have the potential restoring soil fertility and lessening the effects of atmospheric and climate change.
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