1.3 Technological development in environmental issues

Social sciences

Geography

Development issues

Grade 9

Module 4

Political background

The role of technological development in solving environmental issues

Technology and the growing need for food

As the world population grows, natural resources become more strained. This means that the soil must produce even more crops to feed the population. Traditional methods of cultivating crops are no longer efficient to produce food for the entire world population. In some countries, however a surplus or overproduction of agricultural crops is presently produced (e.g. in the USA), while other countries still have a problem in respect of meeting the nutritional needs of the population (e.g. in Ethiopia, where a famine rages).

In an effort to rectify the situation, scientific methods are applied to increase the production of agricultural crops. For this, however, money, manpower, technology and research are needed. If it is successful, new cultivars may be developed, yielding higher crops than traditional crops. Certain cultivars of maize yield more heads than in the past. This in turn leads to a higher agricultural production, which means that more people can be fed. People suffering from malnutrition cannot remain healthy, continue working, and care for their families. Where people do not earn money to meet their basic needs, they cannot develop, and nor can their children. Neither can they contribute to the development their country.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology refers to scientific techniques based on a knowledge of biology. Biology studies life processes, for instance in plants. This knowledge plays an important role in the development of new crops. It may help to reduce the time and costs attached to the process of development. Other methods include the use of genes to combat soil toxicity, making plants insect-resistant, as well as increasing the nutritional value of plants.

In developing countries farmers can profit from methods such as adding a certain gene to the canola plant that produces betacarotene. This helps to replenish Vitamin A-deficiencies and thereby prevent damage to the eyes. Certain aspects related to safety and the ethics of genetic manipulation, however, still need to be clarified. Ethics deals with the moral principles of what is “right and wrong”.

The sciences also contribute to the improved management of our natural resources. In this way problems such as water shortages, the loss of fertile soil, the loss of natural trees and forests, an impairment of biodiversity, as well as the exhaustion of our fishing resources can be avoided.

Activity 1:

To find information on biotechnology and the application of scientific techniques

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1. Although these processes are highly scientific, it might be a good idea to ask a person specialising in this field to speak to you in clear, everyday language. Most farmers and agricultural officers are particularly good at this, while someone from a local cooperative, laboratory or agricultural school could also make a contribution.
2. You could form small groups to conduct interviews with a number of these individuals.
3. Posters on your findings can make an interesting exhibition for all the learners of your school, and even for neighbouring schools and members of the public.
4. Why is biodiversity (maintaining different forms of life) so important?