Agriculture Revolution

Agriculture is a practice used for hundreds of years and provides people with sustenance and livelihood throughout the world. The agricultural revolution resulted in the use of advanced techniques and equipments in the crop production system to ensure productivity. These changes have effect not only on the society, but also on the environment. The modern industrial agriculture, which is a result of the agricultural revolution, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Currently, agriculture is among the top sources of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The chemicals used in the production process pose health risks towards humans and animals and cause irreversible damage to land and water bodies (Anita, 1979).

As a source of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, agriculture is second only to the burning of fossil fuels. The conversion of land for agriculture involves the destruction of natural vegetation, which release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Clearing of natural vegetation also exposes the organic substances in the soil to the heat of the sun. This accelerates the decomposition rate, which is directly propositional to the rate of carbon dioxide release to the atmosphere. Agriculture also involves the keeping of animals and birds. The agricultural revolution enabled the keeping of large number of animals in a small space. Intensive animal farming poses a major health risk to humans because of zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are diseases communicable between humans and animals (Anita, 1979). Runoff from animal farms poses a risk because the excrements of diseased animals compromise the quality of surface water.
The agricultural revolution facilitated a higher rate of population growth because cheap food was readily available. Intimately, this was a good thing; however, the continued increase4 in population is placing a strain on the natural resources, which is further accelerating the unsustainable production of food to meet the rising demand. Food production using machines resulted in many farmers going out of business, especially those farming in community land. Fertilizers used in modern industrial agriculture find its way into water bodies through surface runoff. In the water, the fertilizer accelerates the growth of microorganisms, which limit the amount of oxygen available for the fish (Anita, 1979).
 References
Anita B. B. (1979). The Journal of Economic History. The Tasks of Economic History. 39(1), 313-322.