Pests
- Harmful animals and plants
- Nuisance organisms
Nature
Pests are nonpathogenic organisms that compete with man for food or space, damage his possessions or attack him personally. The term "pest" is subjective: an ecologist would not necessarily consider several leaf-eating larvae as pests, but the gardener probably would. Generally, though, to be considered a pest, an animal, plant, or insect must occur in such abundance as to distinctly threaten man or his interests.
Most pests are invertebrate animals, especially insects, mites, nematodes, snails and slugs. Vertebrate pests include many kinds of rodents, birds and deer. Weeds are also usually considered pests.
Claim
Pests are a critical and often underestimated problem that threatens our health, food security, and ecosystems. They destroy crops, spread diseases, and disrupt natural balances, leading to significant economic losses and environmental degradation. Ignoring pest management not only jeopardizes agricultural productivity but also endangers public health. We must prioritize effective pest control strategies and sustainable practices to combat this pervasive issue, ensuring a healthier future for both humanity and the planet. The time to act is now!
Counter-claim
Pests are often exaggerated as a significant problem, but in reality, they are a natural part of ecosystems. Most pests pose minimal threat to human health and can be managed with simple preventive measures. The obsession with eradicating every pest distracts from more pressing issues like climate change and food security. Instead of wasting resources on pest control, we should focus on sustainable practices that promote biodiversity and ecological balance. Pests are not the crisis we make them out to be.
Broader
Narrower
Aggravates
Aggravated by
Reduced by
Strategy
Value
Reference
SDG
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Biosciences » Biology
Plant life » Plants
Societal problems » Hazards
Societal problems » Pests
Societal problems » Pollution
Zoology » Animals
Content quality
Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
C0728
DOCID
11307280
D7NID
137443
Last update
Oct 4, 2020