What is a consequence of intensive farming linked to overpopulation?

Intensive farming practices, often adopted to meet the food demands posed by overpopulation, tend to result in increased fossil fuel use. This is primarily because intensive farming methods require substantial machinery for planting, harvesting, and maintaining crops. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which are also derived from fossil fuels, are commonly used to boost productivity in these systems.

As the agricultural sector pushes to produce larger quantities of food to feed a growing population, the reliance on fuel-intensive practices rises, contributing to higher carbon emissions and environmental degradation. This is in stark contrast to practices that enhance soil health or promote biodiversity, which generally focus on sustainable approaches that reduce fossil fuel dependency. Thus, the link between overpopulation, intensive farming, and increased fossil fuel use illustrates the environmental challenges of trying to balance food production with ecological sustainability.