pesticides
Newsletter
Credit: International Labour Organization ILO/Flickr
Indoor farming: a climate solution with hidden dangers for workers
Greenhouse workers face extreme heat and humidity, risking their health in structures designed to protect plants, not people.
Melina Walling and Dorany Pineda report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Greenhouse and nursery workers are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, leading to heat-related illnesses.
- These workers lack adequate protections and breaks, making them vulnerable to heat stress, dizziness, and other health issues.
- Efforts to include greenhouses in indoor agriculture solutions need to account for better worker protections and enforcement.
Key quote:
"Many times we don’t leave to cool off for a short while. It’s not because we wouldn’t want to do it, but because we’re scared that they would dismiss us."
— Eulalia Mendoza, former greenhouse worker.
Why this matters:
This isn't just a labor issue; it's an environmental and public health crisis. With regulators slow to adapt and industry leaders often prioritizing profit over people, greenhouse workers are left in a perilous bind. Read more: “Dehumanizing” conditions for Michigan farmworkers.
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Credit: Mirko Fabian/Unsplash
Companies use carbon markets to boost pesticide sales
Farmers enrolling in climate-smart programs find themselves reliant on pesticides marketed by the same companies running these carbon markets.
In short:
- Companies like Bayer are integrating pesticide sales with carbon market platforms, potentially increasing chemical use.
- Agricultural carbon markets, originally designed to offset greenhouse gases, now often incentivize practices requiring pesticides.
- Environmental groups worry these markets prioritize sales over genuinely reducing farm chemical dependence.
Key quote:
“Get a farmer in the program, get the information, and get to sell them seeds or pest control.”
— Ben Lilliston, director of rural strategies and climate change, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Why this matters:
Pesticides, essential for controlling pests and ensuring crop yields, have a dark side. Their overuse can lead to a host of environmental issues, including soil degradation, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, the production and application of these chemicals contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, potentially offsetting the reductions achieved through carbon markets.
Correction: 11 July 2024
An earlier edition of this story included Land O'Lakes among the companies integrating pesticide sales with carbon market platforms. Land O'Lakes prohibits the use of farmer data for sales and marketing targeting.
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Polish farmer protest movement reveals far-right connections
A new Polish farmers' group with far-right ties has gained political attention after protesting against EU climate policies and Ukrainian food imports.
Marta Kasztelan, Clare Carlile, and Phoebe Cooke report for DeSmog.
In short:
- Orka, a recently formed farmers' group, suspended a hunger strike after securing talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
- The group has ties to the far-right Confederation Party, raising concerns about its political motivations.
- Protests have emerged across Poland against EU environmental regulations, with Orka aiming to discard the EU's Green Deal.
Key quote:
“It’s very difficult to fight this kind of misinformation.”
— Krzysztof Cibor, head of campaigns, Greenpeace Poland
Why this matters:
The rise of Orka reflects how populist and far-right parties can leverage local discontent to challenge EU policies, potentially destabilizing political landscapes and undermining efforts to combat climate change.
For more aboutthe rise of the far-right in Europe:
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Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Bald eagles return to the southern Great Lakes after near extinction
The bald eagle population in southern Ontario has made a remarkable recovery after near extinction due to DDT, symbolizing hope for both wildlife and human health.
In short:
- The pesticide DDT nearly wiped out bald eagles in North America, causing their numbers to plummet in the mid-20th century.
- Decades of conservation efforts have led to a significant recovery, with Ontario declaring bald eagles no longer at risk in May 2023.
- Despite the success, bald eagles now face new threats from climate change and emerging contaminants.
Key quote:
"If we’re not paying attention to what we’re doing, if we’re not careful about what we’re putting into the environment, we’re just going to repeat the story over and over again."
— Jody Allair, Birds Canada
Why this matters:
The resurgence of bald eagles is a testament to the effectiveness of environmental regulations and conservation efforts. It speaks to a broader issue of how human activities impact both wildlife and human health, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and action. Read more: Pesticide DDT linked to increased breast cancer risk generations after exposure.
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Credit: vverve/Big Stock Photo
Farmers' protests challenge EU's climate policies
Protests by European farmers are intensifying, challenging the EU's efforts to implement sustainable agricultural reforms under its Green Deal.
In short:
- European farmers are protesting against new environmental regulations, fearing loss of subsidies and increased governmental control.
- These protests have effectively stalled significant parts of the EU's Green Deal, particularly the Farm to Fork strategy aimed at reducing agricultural emissions and pesticide use.
- Amidst these tensions, the EU faces mounting pressure from both farmers and right-wing political factions, complicating the implementation of its climate agenda.
Key quote:
“Instead of being seen as heroic producers of a vital commodity, they are increasingly described as environmental villains and climate destroyers.”
— Alan Matthews, an Irish economist and expert on the CAP
Why this matters:
The EU's strategy involves a delicate balancing act: achieving environmental benefits while also ensuring that farmers receive adequate support and incentives. This includes financial aid, access to new technologies, and training to adapt to more sustainable farming methods.
Recent electoral successes of right-wing parties are expected to influence the European Union's political priorities and policy initiatives, with potential shifts toward more conservative positions on various environmental policies.
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Credit: Rinku Jareda/Pixabay
Natural farming's rise in India amid climate change
In the face of worsening weather conditions, farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India, are turning to natural farming methods to bolster crop resilience.
Shawn Sebastian and Sibi Arasu report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Natural farming in Andhra Pradesh uses organic materials as fertilizers and pesticides, enhancing soil water retention and crop robustness against extreme weather.
- The practice, buoyed by state support, contrasts with the prevalent use of chemical inputs, spotlighting the need for wider adoption and governmental backing.
- Despite challenges, success stories from the region, like Ratna Raju's farm surviving Cyclone Michaung unscathed, highlight the tangible benefits of shifting towards natural methods.
Key quote:
“I incurred huge losses. For the next planting season, I plan to use natural farming methods too.”
— Srikanth Kanapala, farmer
Why this matters:
In India, where agriculture is not just an economic activity but the backbone of rural life, the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns—ranging from delayed monsoons to unseasonal rains and extreme heatwaves—poses a severe threat to livelihoods and food security.
Industrial agriculture is a dead end. Agroecology is the only way to ensure that all people have access to sufficient, healthful food.
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Credit: Boba Jaglicic/Unsplash
Vermont moves to protect pollinators by proposing pesticide restrictions
Vermont's legislation to limit neonicotinoid pesticides, known for harming bees, progressed through the House Committee with substantial support.
In short:
- Vermont's House Committee on Agriculture passed a bill to phase out neonicotinoid pesticides by 2029, with most spraying ending by 2025.
- Exemptions exist for fruit growers, with restrictions during flowering periods, aligning with similar bans in Ontario, Quebec, and the EU.
- While some farmers express concern, proponents argue the ban is crucial for the survival of pollinators and the beekeeping industry in Vermont.
Key quote:
"We have some of the best honey in the world right here in Vermont, and that is a gift. We must honor that and cherish it and our critically important insect population."
— Bianca Braman, vice president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association
Why this matters:
The impact of pollinator loss extends beyond agriculture. Pollinators support the growth of flowers, bushes, and trees that provide habitats for other wildlife, contributing to a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Environmental advocates say numerous studies show neonicotinoids are not necessary and are so detrimental to the environment that they should be banned.
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