International Trade, Agriculture Systems, and Sustainability

International Trade

International trade involves buying and selling goods from and to other countries.

External Debt

External debt refers to the money a country owes to external creditors.

Balance of Trade

Balance of trade reflects the difference between a country's exports and imports. If a country exports more than it imports, it has a trade surplus (positive balance). Conversely, if imports exceed exports, it results in a trade deficit (negative balance).

Systems of Agriculture

Crop Diversity

• Single crop (monoculture): This system involves cultivating only one type of crop.
• Multiple crops (polyculture): This system involves growing more than one product simultaneously.

Water Use

• Irrigated lands: These lands require artificial irrigation in addition to rainwater for crop growth (e.g., vegetables and fruits).
• Unirrigated lands: These lands rely solely on rainwater for crop growth and require minimal attention (e.g., cereals, olives, grapes).

Farming Techniques

• Intensive farming: This technique utilizes modern technology like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified seeds, often employed in greenhouses.
• Extensive farming: This technique involves minimal use of technology, with crop yield largely dependent on natural factors like soil fertility and water availability.

Structure

• Open field: Characterized by large, undivided fields with geometric boundaries, often lacking clear property demarcations.
• Bocage: This system features enclosed fields separated by hedges and wooden fences, commonly found in Atlantic regions.

Recent Approaches

• Green revolution: This movement focuses on introducing high-yielding, genetically modified crop varieties and increasing the use of fertilizers and irrigation.
• Organic farming: This approach avoids synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, relying instead on natural alternatives.

Sustainability

Economically sustainable practices ensure profitability by producing goods and services with minimal resource consumption and environmental impact.

Environmentally sustainable practices prioritize the well-being of the environment for present and future generations.

Socially sustainable practices focus on creating thriving communities that meet people's needs.

Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Ecological Footprint

The ecological footprint measures human impact on the environment by calculating the amount of biologically productive land and water required to support consumption and waste assimilation. It is measured per person and encompasses various components:

• Carbon footprint: Represents the forestland needed to absorb CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel use.
• Cropland: Represents the land used for growing human food and animal feed.
• Grazing land: Represents the land used for livestock farming.
• Fishing grounds: Represents the area required to sustain fish and seafood catches.
• Built-up land: Represents the land occupied by human infrastructure.
• Forest land: Represents the forest area needed to supply wood products.

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

The greenhouse effect refers to the warming of the Earth's surface due to these trapped gases.

Potential Climate Change Impacts

• Temperature: Rising temperatures can lead to heatwaves and extreme weather events.
• Sea level rise: Melting glaciers and thermal expansion of water contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities.
• Precipitation: Climate change can alter precipitation patterns, leading to droughts or floods.

Impacts on Various Sectors

• Health: Increased heat-related illnesses, infectious diseases, and respiratory problems.
• Agriculture: Reduced crop yields and increased irrigation demands.
• Forest: Changes in forest composition, geographic range, health, and productivity.
• Water sources: Water scarcity, reduced water quality, and increased competition for water resources.
• Coastal areas: Beach erosion, coastal flooding, and higher costs for coastal protection.
• Species and natural areas: Habitat loss, species extinction, and shrinking glaciers.