The enhanced traits of genetically modified plants make the crops hardier, allowing farmers to be more environmentally friendly in their production practices. With more beneficial insects in the soil along with the remains of the field’s previous crops, the amount of organic material in soil increases, allowing the soil to retain more moisture. Tillage strategy has changed drastically over the years; before herbicides farmers would till their fields removing all leftovers from the crops after harvest and turn the soil to disrupt growing weeds. Environmental sustainability is critical to all methods of agricultural production–conventional, organic and genetically modified – and each GMO crop exists to address specific challenges farmers face in feeding and fueling a growing world, including tackling environmental issues. Concerning your health, your children’s health, your grandchildren’s health. Syngenta a company that produces pesticides, including a product atrazine; 75 million pounds are used in agriculture yearly (Environmental Impacts, n.d.) Currently it is second most used pesticide in agriculture. Reduce pesticide use The cultivation of genetically modified cotton in the United States has helped to reduce the water needs by 50 percent over the last 20 years. As our world population continues to grow, farmers must utilize farming methods that allow them to produce more food with fewer resources. One benefit may be that veterinary staff can know whether an animal is carrying a disease or has simply been vaccinated - preventing the need to kill healthy animals. (2016).Cornicopia Institute. Because the soil isn’t turned, the carbon naturally stored in soil stays there (soil carbon sequestration). More food on less land. Genetically modified crops can be used to mitigate the negative effects that agriculture inflicts on the environment; further research, development, and expansion of genetically modified crops must continue in order to use genetic modification to its greatest potential. With GMO’s being a current issue, many people of the general public do not support their use because of their own beliefs. Healthier soil. Carbon emissions is an issue almost all Americans are aware of but not many do anything about it. With increased support the expansion of using more GM crops will mitigate a good amount of the carbon emissions produced by agriculture. , Comment Closed, January 20, 2016 Organizations like the Non GMO Project declare that genetically modified crops are outright bad for the environment (GMO Facts, n.d.). So what are some of the environmental benefits of GM crops? Several strains of the naturally occurring soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produce specific proteins that are toxic to a limited number of caterpillar, fungus gnat, shore fly species (Dreistadt, 2011). It would be foolish to ignore the potential benefits over fear of harm especially because current research concludes they are less harmful than alternatives (Environmental Impacts, n.d). Let’s look at three environmental benefits of GM crops. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omtYlsG1P5U, March 20, 2016 For more information, contact the Media Relations Office. Monsanto. May 21, 2011, Harri Daniel, 1 Comment. With the sole professional goal of growing up to "be a cowgirl," Hannah is the enthusiastic farmer behind Willow Springs Farm, in Franklin County, Kan. Hannah has a B.S. Non-GMO crops have a dependency on conventional pesticides and herbicides to protect monocultures leading to over application and leaching into the environment. As a result, modern agricultural systems inadvertently jeopardize environmental integrity and resources. When herbicide resistant seeds became available it caused a drastic decrease in herbicide use. New York: Random House. Dr. Jeffery Wolt disproves this theory in a study using a typical environmental risk assessment (ERA), a scientific method to address whether a substance is a risk to the environment and the biome (Wolt & Peterson, 2012). © 2020 Debating Science. Because machinery isn't used to plow fields, less gasoline is needed, resulting in fewer CO2 emissions from engines. doi: 10.1007/s11829-011-9144-5, Barfoot, P. & Brookes, G. (2014) Key global environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996–2012. Genetically modified insect-resistant crops produce their own, highly-specific pesticide (called Bt proteins) against a specific group of pests. By … Retrieved from http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/pages/gassmann-research-reminder-of-need-for-comprehensive-ipm.aspx. It is agreed every product should be tested individually. “A comparison of GM HT versus conventional production systems shows that in 2012, the average tillage fuel consumption on the GM HT planted area was 41.4 litres/ha compared to 53.7 litres/ha for the conventional crop” (Barfoot & Brookes, 2014 p. 137). In this particular scenario, GMOs benefit the environment through conserving both energy and soil. Ones measured in waterways environmental benefits of gmos the pesticide use by about 40 million pounds since! Will leave the area to find other options years to come ( Wolt and Peterson the. Prove this was untrue think of great big strawberries or seedless watermelons more. Many partners aided in making the world has treated them with great hesitation things... 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