World Agriculture and the Environment

Download or read book World Agriculture and the Environment written by Jason Clay and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2013-02-22 with total page 583 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: World Agriculture and the Environment presents a unique assessment of agricultural commodity production and the environmental problems it causes, along with prescriptions for increasing efficiency and reducing damage to natural systems. Drawing on his extensive travel and research in agricultural regions around the world, and employing statistics from a range of authoritative sources including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the author examines twenty of the world’s major crops, including beef, coffee, corn, rice, rubber, shrimp, sorghum, tea, and tobacco. For each crop, he offers comparative information including: • a “fast facts” overview section that summarizes key data for the crop • main producing and consuming countries • main types of production • market trend information and market chain analyses • major environmental impacts • management strategies and best practices • key contacts and references With maps of major commodity production areas worldwide, the book represents the first truly global portrait of agricultural production patterns and environmental impacts.