Poland, Jacob

Mr. Wisner
World History
Period: TR3
Date: 9/2/2016
Sticky Pesticide
Link to article
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a22629/mit-new-sticky-pest
icide/

http://news.mit.edu/2016/reducing-runoff-pollution-making-spray-droplets-less-bouncy-0
830
Key Vocabulary from the Article (Define at least 4).
Pesticide-
Runoff-
Additives-
Hydrophilic-
Summary of the Event
A._Current pesticides are inefficient. 98% of pesticides slide off of plants, and becomes
runoff, polluting our fresh water sources. The reasons why pesticides are not staying on
the plants is because leaves are naturally hydrophobic.

B. Scientists have found a way to keep pesticides on the plants. If a two polymer
additive is used, it will make the pesticide stick. This will reduce the major pollution
caused by pesticide runoff.

C. This new additive is designed to be implemented in India, where farmers have little
money, so that they may increase their profits. The additive can be carried in tanks on
farmers backs, as well as on large machines, meaning it can be used in most situations.

My Opinion

I fully support this. If farmers have to spend less on pesticides to keep bugs off of the
crops, then the price of food and clothes made from plants will decrease, improving the
economy. I also feel that this is good news because only 1% of the worlds water is
fresh, so sticky pesticides could help conserve our fresh water.

Relate your Event to a Historical Event (compare and contrast with current event).

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is a pesticide that was developed in the 1940s.

At first it was highly effective in repelling insects and preventing insect-borne illnesses,
but with its widespread use, insects developed a resistance. Since then, regulations
have been set to limit the use of DDT and pesticides like it. These two events are
similar in the case that it could save farmers money, but how so is where they differ.
DDT used to save farmers money because more crops were able to be harvested and
were not being eaten by bugs. The new additive that makes pesticides sticky saves
farmers money because they dont need to buy as much pesticide.

Relate your Event to a Theme (at least 3 sentences). SEE BACK FOR THEMES
The theme this event relates to is cultural interaction. This creation of this new additive
falls under the category of science and technology. Scientists found a chemical solution
to the problem of ineffective pesticides.

Questions
When will these additives start being used?
How might these additives affect the global economy?
Does the additive affect the plants growth in any way?
Will these additives always work or will plants adapt to it like insects adapted to DDT?