My contribution to our script

This is how my part goes.


Fourth Paragraph: Different types of chemicals, what they do, and the affect on the environment

Most pesticides contain their own unique blend of different chemicals to do their job. That could mean that one company uses its own ingredients, or just uses different measurements of another’s. With some 70,000 different chemicals that are available, one could surmise that there is no shortage of pests. Many countries have trouble keeping track of all of these pesticides; about 1,500 new ones are released each year. This poses a problem because if a country is planning to make sure each one doesn’t pose a serious risk to the environment, they’ve got plenty of work to do.

Most pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides that are on the market today do little or no damage to non-target organisms, but there are always a few. Agent Orange and its effects have already been discussed, but one must not forget about the pesticides. Because of the complex ingredients in pesticides and its designed function, to kill pests, it’s almost obvious that they would pose a threat to other things. Many pesticides are harmful to water dwelling animals, because of their sensitive skin and the fact that if it rains, the chemicals can be washed off of plants and right into the pond, river, lake or sea that the animals are living in. The effect on frogs has been well documented.

One study showed that when Roundup, a common household chemical, was used on Algae, it was more harmful to tadpoles and frogs in the water than it was to the algae. In fact, it actually helped the algae grow, because without the tadpoles eating it, it was left to flourish.




Interview………………..





Fifth Paragraph: Our Opinion/conclusion

In Conclusion, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are definitely great for world economy and for short-term survival, but should be used in great moderation and with great precaution. Otherwise, harm is rapidly approaching, because if these dangerous chemicals are used improperly or without proper testing, the future doesn’t seem too bright. The world needs to realize that although these chemicals are important now, we should be working toward a more organic agricultural system, we need to be farming foods that don’t harm the environment. We need to realize that we’re on this planet together, and if we screw it up, there are no second chances.






http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2003/24790-en.html
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/index.html
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Search_Chemicals.jsp
http://www.herc.org/hercarticles/connection.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/83/i15/8315notw8.html