Since 1960s, he Green Revolution was a milestone in agriculture in the last century. With the goal of improving crop yields and expanding global food production, it introduced new technologies to the sector, including new pesticide and fertilizer practices. At the time, the revolution delivered significant benefits, but today, people are also seeing some of its long-term harmful effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The excessive use of pesticides has led to widespread contamination of soil and water. In 2024, the approval of new pesticides and biological agents reached a record high in Brazil, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA).
This high expansion has intensified environmental imbalances in ecosystems, compromising the natural fertility of the soil and altering local ecosystems. As a result, the growing chemical dependency has become a complexity in long-term agricultural sustainability.
INEQUALITY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Another factor was unequal access to technology. While landowners rapidly adopted new tools and production methods, small farmers were left behind, unable to afford the same level of investment. This disparity widened structural inequalities in the countryside, contributing to land concentration, increasing rural vulnerability, and deepening social exclusion in farming communities.
The technological gap also limited the ability of small producers to adapt to new market demands, reinforcing a cycle in which innovation becomes accessible only to those already in privileged positions.
GEN Z’S ENVIRONMENTAL VISION
Today, the consequences left by the Green Revolution have become unavoidable, and addressing them demands new forms of innovation. Generation Z has emerged as one of the groups most engaged in pushing alternatives in agriculture.
According to Deloitte’s “Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2025”, 81% of Brazilian Gen Z respondents are concerned about environmental impact, a sign that younger consumers are increasingly attentive to how food is produced and to the long-term health of the planet
This Generation seeks a new kind of revolution, one that advances without harming the environment. For Gen Z, sustainability, environmental awareness, and updated agricultural practices are inseparable pillars of change. The expectation is that, by aligning these elements, it will be possible to gradually mitigate the damage left by the previous agricultural model and build a more resilient future.
CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION
One of the main aspects of a potential second green revolution is conscious consumption. Among younger generations, purchasing increasingly favors brands that demonstrate transparency and genuine environmental responsibility. This audience actively examines the origin of products, the carbon footprint involved in their production, and how companies treat their workers.
Consumers are also more likely to publicly hold companies accountable, using social media to amplify demands for ethical supply chains and sustainable business models.
A NEW PATH FORWARD
Overall, the first Green Revolution introduced innovations that reshaped global agriculture, but it is essential to acknowledge the consequences that followed.
The first Green Revolution transformed agriculture, but it also left a legacy that now demands repair. Unlike past generations, Gen Z faces these issues with greater access to information and a strong environmental consciousness. Their vision suggests that any future green revolution must be rooted in sustainable practices from the start. As this generation pushes for change, the question becomes whether society is ready to embrace a transformation that prioritizes the planet as much as production.
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The article above was edited by Isabella Simões.
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