Most people go to the garden center and buy a plant or flower without even thinking about where it came from, myself included. In 2014, Horticultural product sales were at a whopping $21,774,000. A lot of water and time goes into growing each plant sold anywhere. A tree can take up to years to grow to the right height for it to be sold. I also had no idea that the medians in-between highways were maintained. I drive by nature all the time and never realize that someone made sure it looked that way to make it look presentable. Sometimes they even let it grow naturally and it may look overgrown but the plant is thriving. The land managers that control the sides of the highways just want to make sure there are no invasive species destroying our native plants. There is even a regulatory program called Delaware Livable Lawns that certifies homeowners and lawn care companies that apply fertilizer in an environmentally-friendly way while educating them. It is good to know people are still keeping in mind the potential impacts we could have on the environment and trying to prevent more chemicals going into the environment than what is needed.
Tag Archives: Environmentally Friendly
GM is Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly
GM, otherwise known as “Genetically Modified,” is a term consumers fear. Mark Lynas a spokesperson for the Environment bashed GM for years and created many movements on this topic. One day, he took it upon himself to research climate change and later GM. Later realizing the numerous benefits GM had to offer our growing population. In a video “Mark Lynas 2013 Oxford Farming Conference” (https://vimeo.com/56745320) he touches on this very topic.
GM crops not only allow our generation to be sustainable while feeding the hungry and poor, it also benefits our environment. GM’s allows for less pesticide use, while saving producers seeds because of they hybrid use, they are safer than conventional breeding and are roundup ready which means that less chemicals are being spread, just to name a few benefits.
Environmentally we are producing more with less. This means a smaller need for greenhouses and their emissions. Therefore, rainforest’s and other natural areas will not be destroyed and used for agriculture. GM offers a better way to manage nitrogen, furthermore keeping pollution to a minimum. Another benefit to the environment is the ability to make drought-resistant seed, as a result we can use less available water.
We as consumers need to be proactive and interested. GM is how we will feed our growing population; do you want people to starve? Research has proven no harm, sickness or diseases to animals or humans who have consumed GM food. Now you must do your part to educate yourself with scientific research to stay sustainable and save the environment.