what scientic evidence would you need to seettle the claim that famines are caused more by human than enviromental
To settle the claim that famines are caused more by human factors than environmental factors, you would need to examine and analyze a range of scientific evidence. Here are some key pieces of evidence that can help you evaluate this claim:
1. Historical Records: Analyze historical data on famines, such as case studies and reports, to identify the primary causes of past famines. Look for instances where human factors, such as political decisions, economic factors, or social issues, played a significant role in causing or exacerbating famines.
2. Climate Data: Study climate patterns, such as rainfall patterns, temperature changes, and extreme weather events, that have the potential to impact agriculture and food production. Assess the long-term trends and variability in these climate factors, correlating them with famine occurrence.
3. Agricultural Practices: Assess the impact of human agricultural practices on food production and supply systems. Investigate issues like land-use change, deforestation, soil erosion, irrigation practices, and the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Determine whether inadequate or unsustainable human practices contribute to famines.
4. Food Security Policies: Examine the influence of social, economic, and political factors on food production, distribution, and access. Evaluate government policies, such as trade regulations, subsidies, and international aid programs, to understand their impact on addressing or exacerbating famine situations.
5. Socioeconomic Factors: Investigate the role of human actions and socio-economic factors in exacerbating vulnerability to famine. Consider factors like poverty, conflict, inequality, displacement, population growth, and demographic changes. Analyze how these factors interact with environmental conditions to trigger or worsen famines.
To settle the claim effectively, it is essential to gather a wide range of evidence from multiple scientific disciplines, including climatology, agriculture, economics, political science, and sociology. Analyzing and synthesizing the findings from these various fields will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the causes of famines and help evaluate the relative contribution of human and environmental factors.