We hate the Anti-Organic Argument. So now, let's punch it!

Feeling angry today? Then get a whiff of this anti-organic article (attatched at the bottom.)  I guarentee you'll feel ten times more in enraged. So go ahead, kick something. Because I'm about to go kick this article to the moon.  

1.  Farmer, that's a definite plus that herbicides and genetically modified seeds make your farm more sustainable. And the polution you contribute to the Gulf of Mexico has been reduced? That pretty much sold me. 

This is an environment blog. So naturally, I'm excited that modern production methods are actually benefiting the environment.  But then, I realized....What of biodiversity?  What of  the health of your dear buyers? Suddenly, this argument is looking a little hole-y.

 I wonder just how these herbicides reduce pollution in the Gulf. I wish Farmer would elaborate a little. But while we're on the subject, let's take a look at the ways  herbicides DO harm waters :

 According to http://www.thegoodhuman.com,

• "When the excess nutrients from all the fertilizer we use runs off into our waterways, they cause algae blooms sometimes big enough to make waterways impassable. When the algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic species can’t survive in these so-called “dead zones” and so they die or move on to greener underwater pastures."
• "A related issue is the poisoning of aquatic life. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Americans alone churn through 75 million pounds of pesticides each year to keep the bugs off their peapods and petunias. When those chemicals get into waterways, fish ingest them and become diseased. Humans who eat diseased fish can themselves become ill, completing the circle wrought by pollution.

What to do, what to do? I now present the proposed solution:

• "The solution, of course, is to go organic, both at home and on the farm. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic farmers and gardeners use composted manure and other natural materials, as well as crop rotation, to help improve soil fertility, rather than synthetic fertilizers that can result in an overabundance of nutrients. As a result, these practices protect ground water supplies and avoid runoff of chemicals that can cause dead zones and poisoned aquatic life. "

2.  Now onto you, University of Wisconson. So we need to produce more food because our population is growing, eh?  Sure, there is an increased life expectancy due to  revolutions in medicine.

But  last time I checked, there's this growing revolution called birth control. And oh man, is it catching on. And don't forget an increased crime rate. The world's not getting any safer. Perhaps this doubled food production you're so proud of is feeding oh...say... fatZOs, more so than a fat population growth.  Don't worry scientists.  Yes, appetites are growing, but our population's rate will be just fine for the next couple of eons. We are not approaching the point where the safety and ethics of food must  be sacrificed to sustain the population. Feed us, don't spoil us.

In summation, I believe organic is still the safest and most eco-friendly way to go.  The pro-organic argument remains the strongest so far, but decide for yourself!
Here's the article:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/food_ethics_is_organic_the_right_choice

by: Lillie B.