6.1.2 Concepts and Terms

any business involved in agricultural production, including farming, seed supply, farm machinery manufacture, sales, and service, production and sales of farm chemicals, wholesale and retail food distribution

In addition, the term refers to large-scale transnational corporate farming operations as opposed to the "family farm".

changes in both the world's climate or climates in particular regions over time

These changes may come from internal processes or they may be driven by external forces or human activities. Global warming is climate change caused by primarily human activity.

the degradation of land in dry or semi-humid areas as a result of various factors, including climate change and human activities; literally, the changing of the landscape into desert

Often, modern desertification arises from the demands of increased populations that settle on the land to grow crops and graze animals. This is a serious problem in marginal areas throughout the world. Where rainfall is slight, recovery from over-grazing and over-farming is almost impossible. For example, the deserts of North Africa are advancing steadily southeastward, reducing productive land in several countries.

the amount of land and water area a person or a human population needs using prevailing technology to provide the resources required to support itself and to absorb its wastes

the process of reducing the amount of energy available, such as through the use of coal or petroleum

hydrocarbon fuels produced from vegetation and animal life of pre-historic times, including coal, oil, and natural gas

food products derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO), which are organisms whose genetic materials have been changed using recombinant DNA

In other words, the food is made from plants (or animals) whose genetic structure was changed by adding the genetic material of another organism to include the properties or abilities of the other organism. Plants are modified for several reasons but primarily to make the organism stronger, larger, hardier, or more resistant to other organisms or chemicals. The genetic modification of organisms and foods has produced a great deal of controversy.

an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere sufficient to cause climate change

the process by which the temperature of a planet's atmosphere increases as heat energy from sunlight is trapped by gases in the atmosphere

The term refers to both the natural greenhouse effect and the enhanced or anthropogenic greenhouse effect, which occurs as a result of human activities

an international treaty on climate change

The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change sets targets for nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Countries agreeing to this protocol have made commitment to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions.

a form of agriculture that avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators, and livestock feed additives

As far as possible, organic farmers rely on crop rotation, animal manures, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity, to supply plant nutrients, and to control weeds, insects, and other pests.

According to the International Foundation for Organic Farming IFOAM (http://www.ifoam.org/), "The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings."

the ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves

When a process is sustainable, it can be completed repeatedly without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.

the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

In terms of the environment, stewardship means protecting the environment through recycling, conservation, regeneration, and restoration.

power obtained from existing flows of energy, including on-going natural processes such as sunshine (solar power), wind, flowing water (hydro-power), biological power, and geothermal heat

the process of reducing the total amount available of a particular resource

an international organization that describes itself as a "global association of governments facilitating co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity"

The United Nations organization was founded in 1945 by 51 countries, and today includes 191 nations, almost every country in the world.