Created by the Environmental Defense Fund, check out this heartbreaking video on the images from the oil hemorrhage. There are ways that you can help whether or not you live close or not. Please check out what you can do to restore the Gulf Coast.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jPjJPVdR4g&feature=player_embedded]
David Mas Masumoto is a farmer who raises peaches and grapes. His land has been organic since the 1980s. In a recent article in The Atlantic (humorously entitled, “Married to Walmart: What Was I Thinking?”), he describes his mixed feelings about selling his products to the mega-box-store chain. (This venture originated within the last ten years). He wondered, “Were our sweet, innocent organic raisins being courted by Walmart, and vice versa? Was Walmart, the slick city suitor, trying to sweep us naive country folks off our feet then suck the life out of us? Or was I an idealistic organic farmer, believing I could help hundreds of acres transition to organic, reduce pesticide use and protect the health of farmers and farm workers?”
This debate has probably gone on in the minds of countless farmers – and consumers. How do we know when good changes by a not-good corporation can be trusted? We’ve all heard that some corporations indulge in “greenwash,” which (like whitewash) covers a multitude of sins, with cheery slogans, furry animals, and green colors on the packages. And we each must decide where to situate ourselves along the spectrum of food purist to unconscious eater.
Masumoto concludes his essay with cautious optimism, saying that he hears more talk and intentions about going organic among farmers than he did formerly.
Let’s encourage them! Organic is not perfect (like cigarette smoke drifting in the wind, pesticides can drift even onto organic fields), and it’s not affordable for everyone, but it’s a start. We can help our own bodies and the planet we live on if we choose our food wisely.
commons.wikimedia.org
We’ve long known that strawberries are among the most heavily sprayed crops, and now we have another reason to worry. Yet another chemical is being considered to add to the war on bugs. Remember this name: methyl iodide. You’re going to be hearing a lot about it.
This week, though, the state of Washington ruled against allowing the pesticide maker to sell it in their state, giving hope to those who don’t want it permitted in California. The Pesticide Action Network, based in San Francisco, applauds the decision, as does a spokesperson for the Physicians for Social Responsibility. Earlier this year, a report from Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy asserted that the state could save $700 million a year in health care costs if we reduced our exposure to toxic chemicals. One expert said, “California’s budget crisis has led to drastic cuts in health services, and the cost of healthcare is soaring across the nation. If we can prevent illness, save money, and save families, then we need to do it,” says Martha Arguello, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles. “Physicians advise patients on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, but no amount of physician consultation can prevent exposure to some of these toxic chemicals — the government has an obligation to step in and make create public health protective policies.” http://yubanet.com/california/CA-could-save-700-million-in-health-care-costs-by-reducing-chemical-exposure.php
While you’re waiting for the government to protect us, do you want to see a colorful, scary readout of the pesticides you just might be putting into your body? Pesticide Action Network has created an amazing website (aptly named What’s On My Food) where you can click on the name of a food and get a slew of information about what chemicals are used to grow it in conventional agriculture. Just the names of the types of chemicals give me the willies: carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, and developmental or reproductive toxicants.
Chemical war against bugs seemed like a good idea a few generations ago, but now the dangerous side effects are well known. If you can’t afford an all-organic diet, please think about making strawberries the first organic on your grocery list.
Also found on the Examiner.com
It’s been 100 days since BP’s accidental “spill.” When over 94 to 184 MILLION gallons have been dumped into our ocean, I’m pretty sure it’s not just spill anymore – SO STOP CALLING IT THAT! It’s an Oil Hemorrhage! Yes, it was temporarily capped 2 weeks ago, but we still have over 80 days of gushing oil to take care of… I just read an article that informed me that there are 1.8 million gallons of dispersant chemicals being dumped into the ocean! Get this: the article is even entitled, “Scientists’ dispersant concerns remain.” Yes okay, I just said we need to take care of the oil floating around in the ocean, but as we are dumping millions of gallons in hopes to dissipate the oil and nobody is listening to the scientists who are saying, “Hummm wait, this might not have the best side effects for our sea creatures and humans who eat seafood!” Actually, they are. In fact they’re saying, “…such more needs to be learned about dispersants — their behavior with oil, chemical ingredients, chronic and delayed effects — to understand the risks” in regards to humans. What’s worse is the scientist (according to this article) can’t even agree if the natural decomposition of the oil or throwing in the dispersants will produce the best results.
Bottom line is I’m a bit outraged. I feel like you’ve had 100 days now to figure out which would be a better outcome and years to learn about dispersants! Shouldn’t you know by now? Isn’t that your jobs?! And why are we dumping in things that we’re not 100% sure if in the long run it’ll be good for the fish and us or that it’s the best method of getting rid of the oil?!
Picture courtesy of fisheyeguyphotography.com
Finally! 300 miles of Oregon streams that are critical habitat for native trout have finally received protection – and it took a court order to do it. The US Forest service failed to prevent damage to the area, didn’t consult with the appropriate fisheries service about damage, and ignored mandatory measures to monitor and enforce protections. It’s sad that government agencies can be so incompetent (wouldn’t you get fired if you didn’t do your required work duties!?), but we can be thankful that the lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity (and other groups) carried the day. Now let’s see if the victory actually translates into protection for land, streams, and fish…… Read more here.
Yup I’ve suspected it for years. Now the United Nations, through its International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management’s new report called Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production: Priority Products and Materials, says the agriculture is one of the two top sectors needing major renovation this century. The other is – all together now – energy. So if your budget isn’t quite ready to handle a solar array, you can do as much for the planet with earth-wise food choices.
Remember the 5 guidelines of The Earth-Friendly Food Chain: More organic, less meat, more diversity, and more local. Oh wait, that’s only four. Ok, add in “less processing, packaging, and waste,” as the fifth guideline. The most powerful food choice of them all? Number 2: eat less meat ( that means less fish, dairy, and eggs). It’s official – see the UN website’s write-up here.
There are other sources of protein besides food from animals, so your health won’t be harmed — and frankly would improve if you reduced your consumption of artery-clogging, waistline-expanding cholesterol. 
