I am currently reading (again) Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring”, and I’m blown away by the ‘insanity’ that ruled the thinking in agriculture. The rampant use of pesticides, notably DDT and its destructive effects on all life, were brought to the fore because of her efforts and through this book.

Here, in her own words:

“Since DDT was released for civilian use, a process of escalation has been going on in which ever more toxic materials must be found. This has happened because insects, in a triumphant vindication of Darwin’s principle of the survival of the fittest, have evolved super races immune to the particular insecticide used, hence a deadlier one has always to be developed–and then a deadlier one than that.”

“Thus the chemical war is never won, and all life is caught in its violent crossfire.”

We need to question why we are still fighting this battle, albeit now with neonicotinoids. And spring has become more silent once again because the bees aren’t buzzing as they used to, just as the birds were disappearing because of their destruction by absorbing DDT.

So when you shop for your local produce, it might be important to find out how that food you are going to eat was grown. If there are 4 digits on the little stickie, it indicates conventional practices including the use of pesticides. I personally would like to know which pesticides were used and who produces them (maybe Monsanto?). If there is a 9 followed by 4 digits, that means ORGANIC practices have been used. If the 4 digits are preceded by an 8, it is a GMO (genetically modified organism).

So, ‘let the buyer beware!’

Best,

G. Ludorf-Weaver
President, Sustainable Cobourg

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Time to RETHINK!