Are Pesticides, Herbicides Really Necessary?
I recommend that we support our local organic farmers. If we dont buy chemical foods, no one will make them. Alternatives are available for all major uses of chlorine. There are chlorine-free substitutes for bleaching in the paper industry, for PVC construction, packaging, and cars. Many companies have discovered that substitutes for chlorinated solvents and organochlorine pesticides work AND save money (Greenpeace). Here are some facts presented at the Seeds of Change Conference, October 21-23, 1994 by Kenny Ausubel: The agribusiness industry is the second largest environmental polluter on earth (behind the radiation industry). Yearly, 2.1 billion chemical fertilizers and pesticides are dumped into the soils and waters of the United States. This amounts to 57 pounds per person and $17 billion profits yearly. Despite this, crop production declined by 69% between 1950 and 1979. Agricultural runoff is the single greatest source of untreated water pollution in the U.S. There are pesticide
