Abstract
The paper presents the thesis that as global warming causes the earth's average temperatures to rise, crop production will experience a decrease. The paper discusses how temperature extremes have been shown to dramatically reduce the agricultural productivity potential. The paper relates that technology will play an important part in the production of crops and wealthier countries will be better prepared for technological supports. The paper points out that while there are conflicting reports concerning the specific effects of global warming and climate change, it is clear that farmers must be willing to enter a process that includes ongoing assessment and adaptation to the changes that are occurring.

Outline:
Statement of Topic
Statement of Thesis
Conceptualization
Literature Review
Summary & Conclusion

From the Paper
"One important factor to crop production, and specifically fruit crop production is that failures are likely to occur due to the early growth of these crops in warmer weather resulting in the loss of crops due to cold snaps. This has been noted in the research in the foregoing literature. As well, there are agriculture crops that will initially be more productive however, the literature in the foregoing review has illustrated the likelihood that in the longer run, crops certain crops will be less productive due to higher temperatures."

Tags:climate, change, forecasts, food, weather, agriculture

Abstract
The following paper examines how the "Cream of the Crop" gives one a sense of the value of an elite education, however, it is of the writer's opinion that a comparison of their subjects to graduates of less prestigious schools might have given a broader picture of the importance of an elite education.

From the Paper
"In Cream of the Crop: The Impact of Elite Education on the Decade After College, Katchadourian and Boli examine not only how the college you attend, but the choices you make while in college shape and mold the rest of your life. In this book, a group of Stanford University alumni are followed for ten years after graduation (Katchadourian, 1994). It shows how decisions they made in college affected their family and career choices. It focuses on their professional careers, experiences in the workplace, their personal lives and their life's reflections a decade after graduation. This book is the first to examine these issues systematically (Katchadourian, 1994)."

Tags:Stanford, graduation, professional, balanced, career, careerists, intellectuals, strivers, unconnected

Abstract
This is a detailed descriptive, persuasive paper about the effects of genetically modified crops. The author discusses genetic engineering and clearly defines many difficult biological terms, and how the Food and Drug Administration plays a major role in the legalization of genetically modified crops.

From the Paper
"Genetically engineered crops have killed dozens of people throughout the United States of America and Europe , and have harmed thousands of others. Governments of the world should outlaw genetically modified agricultural products to ensure that no other lives will be susceptible to the same type of danger. Scientists first designed genetically altered crops to resist herbicides. Genetically modified crops were also not intended for human consumption. In fact, they were intended for better yields, resistance to herbicides, and cheaper feed for livestock, such as cattle, sheep, poultry, etc. The FDA is now investigating genetically modified crops to see if they should ban them in the United States of America ."

Tags:corn, engineered, genetic, modified, plants, fda, dna, bio

Abstract
The paper discusses how, as the Earth's average temperature rises, crop production decreases. The paper notes the significance of a decrease in crop production and provides a literature review. The paper shows how, in general, global warming has a negative effect on crop production and the unpredictability of climatic change can also have a negative effect on crop production when farmers are ill-prepared. The paper points out, however, that although many crops will suffer, certain crops such as winter wheat seem to thrive in the global warming models.

Outline:
Introduction
Hypothesis
Conceptualization
Journal Article Summaries
Summary

From the Paper
"Peng et al. (2004) explore the affect of higher night temperatures, from global warming, on rice production. They evaluated these effects by a direct study on the effects of global warming on crop production, by analyzing weather data at the International Rice Research Institute Farm, from the years 1979 to 2003. They examined temperature trends and how they related to rice yield, by using the data obtained from irrigated field experiments, that were conducted at the International Rice Research Institute Farm. The researchers found that rice production fell 10 percent for each 1o C increase in minimum temperature. However, maximum temperature had an insignificant effect on crop yield. Therefore the researchers concluded that there was direct evidence that rice yields decreased with increased nighttime temperature associated with global warming."

Tags:climate, change, rice, wheat, maize, temperature

Abstract
This paper focuses on rice, an essential crop relied upon by masses of people in the world. The paper explains that global economies and challenges have long faced the crop, and the people and areas that grow it, as have changes in cultural and regional demographics. The paper covers the role of rice in water dependency and utilization, the increasing urbanization that creates the demand for more high-yield, low-price crops, and the increasing role of technology in rice production. The paper concludes that with the rapidly changing global economy, rice is likely to remain in high, and ever increasing, demand.

From the Paper
"What are the major environmental impacts related to its production and processing? One of the most important environmental impacts of rice production, and especially high yield production has been over utilization of the water supply. Water is a scarce commodity in many nations, even some of those who are high producers of rice, such as India, where extensive drought has threatened its place in the global rice production and distribution market. (Latham, 1998, p. 11) New Technology and programs are being created and implemented daily to support higher yields with less water use. (Worldwatch, December 2007, "More Rice For Less Water")
"What are the significant global trends in how, where, and/or why this crop is produced and traded? With the growth of technology, increase in urbanized populations and increasing populations in general the changes is rice crops has created far fewer regional varieties as well as mass production of high yield of only a few variety forms with high demands for lower prices. (WWF, "Agriculture and Environment: Commodities: Overview Rice," NP)"

Tags:high-yield, farming, grain, globalization

Abstract
This paper discusses an article that appeared in a 2008 version of the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The paper explains its argument that the land used for bioenergy crop production should not be food agriculture land or forest area, but rather abandoned farm and pasture land, since this could have substantial positive effects for poorer nations with smaller energy consumption.

From the Paper
"This paper shall discuss a journal article that appeared in Environmental Science Technology that looks at the use of abandoned agricultural land as a potential space for the growth of bioenergy crops.
"Where is the Smartest Place to Plant Bioenergy Crops? Given the growing alarm over climate change and its effects on the Earth's ecosystem, many scientists, engineers, activists and politicians have brought forth ideas on methods to combat these issues. Taken in concert with rising fossil fuel-based energy supplies, and there has been a substantial amount of interest and investment placed into the production..."

Tags:bioenergy, crops, agriculture

Abstract
This paper will discuss the way that slavery played an important part in the lives of the people of the Caribbean in the twentieth century. By understanding the problems of land tenure, and the ability of the economic factors that lay into this complex system of production, we can see how the geography of the land, and the political climate created this large industry. The value of the sugar, and the land issues that surround the culture of sugar production will also be described in the way they affected the lives of the peoples of the Caribbean.

Abstract
This paper presents a viewpoint in opposition to genetically modified crops, or genetically engineered foods, asserting that these plants may have dire consequences in the health of consumers, animals, and world hunger. The paper claims that the lands that farmers cultivated for generations are ruined by modified plants. It also states that genetically modified crops have herbicide and pesticide resistant genes that encourage stronger, more destructive weeds, which in turns forces farmers to apply more pesticide, compromising the health of their farms and defeating the purpose of a resistant gene in a modified plant. The paper mentions the Monsanto Company, noting that organic farms have been run out by big companies that provide genetically modified crops to farmers. The paper concludes that through research and advocacy of organic agriculture, the public can have access to non-GM crops and foods; and this should eventually result in supporting hard-working farmers and improving the world's economy.

From the Paper
"The lands that farmers have been cultivating for years and generations were ruined by modified plants. Soil is also harmed by the herbicides and pesticides that farmers spray on to their fields. The modified crops that they plant have herbicide and pesticide resistant genes that keep them from dying of the chemicals. What the resistance from the plants has done is that the weeds and bacteria have evolved to be stronger and better at killing plants (Pollack). This turn in evolution has caused frenzy in farmers and so they spray more and more of the chemicals onto their fields, compromising the health of their farms and defeating the purpose of a resistant gene in a modified plant ("The World" 4). The problems of the conditions of the soil on farms are far less than the problems of keeping organic farms in the U.S. and Canada. Organic farms have been run out by big companies that provide genetically modified crops to farmers and pay them to plant. The infamous company in U.S. and Canada is Monsanto Company. Currently in Canada, there are no more organic canola oil farms because they have been contaminated by genetically modified canola, making them no longer organic (Rees 3-4). Supporters of Monsanto and GM foods say that farmers have a clear choice between picking GM crops and natural foods. The farmers in fact would like to have natural crops completely on their fields but the contamination of GM crop seeds make it very difficult to keep their seeds clean (Rees 4)."

Tags:DNA, world, hunger, starvation, shortage

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of the green revolution and its selective breeding that produced crops that were better suited to changing climate conditions and production levels. The paper discusses how these crops could help curb starvation but looks at the limitations of current practices. The paper then discusses genetically modified crops and their benefits but explains why this development must proceed with even more caution than the green revolution.

Outline:
Early Methods
Helping to Curb Starvation
Limitations of Current Practices
Green Revolution Crops and GMOs

From the Paper
"As the world population grows, humans face new challenges regarding how to feed the population. This problem is not new and industrialized nations led the race to develop crops that were more productive, disease resistant and that have more uses. During the 1960s and 1970s producers began an intensive program to develop crops that met the changing requirements of society. This is referred to as the "green revolution." This revolution was responsible for increases in food production in industrialized nations, but there are limitations as to what can be accomplished through these programs."

Tags:selective, breeding, genetic, engineering, traits, food, production

Abstract
Discusses the importance of GM crops to worldwide farming. Division among people regarding use of GM plants. Benefits vs. ecological disasters. Safety issue. Review of recent studies on use of GM plants in the farm setting. Goal of GM crops toreduce need for pesticides. Harm to beneficial organisms.

From the Paper
"Introduction:
According to an article in Scientific America, genetically Modified (GM) crops are becoming an important part of worldwide farming with approximately 109 million acres under cultivation (Brown, 2001). However, most of the farmland is in the US (68%) and Argentina (23%), and the most common GM crops are soybean (36%), corn (7%), cotton (16%), and canola (11%). GM varieties are a major proportion of the total production of soybeans (58%) and corn (23%)(James, 2000).
The development and use of GM plants has divided people into 2 groups. One group believes GM plants offer benefits for both increased production of food and fiber, and decreased use of pesticides and herbicides. The opposing group believes GM plants will cause ecological disaster by inadvertently killing ..."