Environmental Health
The guest speaker on Thursday, Susan Koswan, demonstrated the negative's and difficulties associated with trying to pass environmental movements. Some of the key players that she mentioned while trying to pass the pesticide ban are health professionals, government employees, policy makers, activists, environmental groups and the cancer society. She showed how one person can gain the interest of many others and make a postive movement.
It was very surprising to hear about the alternatives to pesticides. I would have assumed that companies would loose money if the pesticides were taken away but Susan explained that studies show alternatives do work and are good for the companies and economy.
After watching the movie of the children who are dying in Mexico, it made me wonder what the actual health problems are. It would be interesting to look at other developing countries that are attempting to keep up with our developed world. Ex. We should be more encouraged to buy local food where we know the labour that is going into it and the health problems that are associated. At least here we know that pesticides can no longer be used, and there is a good health care system to support the workers if problems arise.
I agree that it would be interesting to know the health hazards that are associated with pesticide use. I also think it is good that they are developing alternatives, especially because people have become obsessed with their lawns. Lawns have become a defining feature of people, and I think people will continue to buy into products, especially with the popularity of being a green consumer. Finally I think this is a step forward for Ontario, but I don't think we can say that buying local foods means we know that the labour going into it is problem free.
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