What is a key environmental concern associated with the Green Revolution?

• A. The program increased yields but raised concerns about inequality and environmental impacts.
• B. It eliminated the need for irrigation.
• C. It avoided use of fertilizers.
• D. It had no environmental impact.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that rapid increases in agricultural production can come with serious environmental and social costs. The Green Revolution boosted yields by using high-yield crop varieties together with heavy inputs—chemical fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and mechanization. While this led to much greater food output, it also brought environmental consequences: extensive irrigation drained and polluted water supplies, groundwater levels dropped in many regions, soil health and biodiversity declined due to monoculture and heavy chemical use, and pest resistance tended to rise, creating a cycle of more inputs. Socially, the benefits often went to wealthier farmers with access to credit and irrigation, widening inequalities between regions and among farmers. Because of these intertwined environmental and equity issues, the statement that captures the key concern is that yields rose but environmental impacts and inequality increased. The other options aren’t accurate since irrigation often expanded rather than disappeared, fertilizers were widely used, and there were clear environmental effects.