environmentalist: food security and pesticides by: sabrina savji

Environmentalist: Environmentalist: Food Security Food Security and Pesticidesand Pesticides

By: Sabrina SavjiBy: Sabrina Savji

What is food security?What is food security?

Food security has many components to it, it is when all people:

• Have access to enough food

• The food provided is affordable, safe, healthy and meets dietary needs

• The food is cultivated in a proper manner which is environmentally friendly

Food systemFood system

The food system is made up of many levels and if there is no food security, all levels are affected in some way.

People who cultivate or catch People who cultivate or catch foodfood

ex. farmers, fishers and hunters

The environmentThe environment

ex. earth, air, water and energy

People who process, package, People who process, package, distribute, market or advertise distribute, market or advertise

the foodthe foodex. no frills, coca cola

Wholesalers/warehouses where Wholesalers/warehouses where the food is storedthe food is stored

ex. big buildings, costco

TransportationTransportation

ex. trucks, planes, boats and trains

Places where food is sold and Places where food is sold and servedserved

ex. grocery stores, markets, bakeries, farm stands and restaurants

ex. Hospitals and nursing homes

Everyone who eatsEveryone who eats

ex. you and me!

Food insecurityFood insecurity

Food insecurity happens when:• food is hard to get• there are no farms or grocery stores near by• food travels a great distance to get to us• there isn’t enough money• healthy and safe food is not available• healthy foods cost more than unhealthy foods• the rivers are polluted so fish don’t survive• traditional foods are not available or accessible

Short term relief strategy:• food banks• soup kitchens

Cause of food insecurity:• low income

SolutionsSolutionsIndividuals:• develop skills to grow, produce and prepare their

own food ex. Cooking classes, composting and vegetable gardening

Community: • develop social support networks ex. Community

gardens, farmers’ markets, “buy local” campaigns

Political: • change the systems on food charters, policy

organizations, food costing and research

A short history of the food A short history of the food security movement in Canada security movement in Canada

1996: World Food Summit in Rome, hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Canada joins 186 other nations in supporting the Summit’s goals of eliminating hunger and reducing by half the number of undernourished people no later than the year 2015. 1998: Canada develops Action Plan for Food Security 1999: Canadian Food Security Bureau is established2001: World Food Summit follow-up at FAO and Canadian civil society organizations meet at Ryerson University to provide input for Canada. 2002: In Winnipeg, a Conference on Food Security is held with the goal of creating a provincial organization. 2002: Quebec passes a law to fight poverty and social exclusion. 2004: The second national Food Security Assembly is held in Winnipeg. 2005: The government of Newfoundland & Labrador states its commitment to poverty reduction and seeks input from all sectors 2005: Third national Food Security Assembly in Waterloo. The national organization Food Secure Canada is formed, with Food Security Network of Newfoundland & Labrador as a founding member. 2006: Fourth national Food Security Assembly in Vancouver

My question…My question…

Are pesticides really necessary?

What are pesticides?What are pesticides?

A substance intended for preventing, destroying or repelling any pests. Pesticides are designed to kill or harm organisms, therefore create a risk to humans, animals or the environment.

And pests?And pests?

Pests can be:

• insects

• mice

• weeds

• fungi

• bacteria

• viruses

Did you know…Did you know…

These are considered to be pesticides:• cockroach sprays and baits • insect repellents for personal use. • rat and other rodent poisons. • flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars. • kitchen, laundry, and bath disinfectants and

sanitizers. • products that kill mold and mildew. • some lawn and garden products, such as weed

killers. • some swimming pool chemicals.

RisksRisks

Can poison:

• people

• livestock

• wildlife

• water

• soil

FactsFacts• each year, around 2.5 million tons of pesticide are dumped on the planet's

crops. • in 2002, an estimated 69,000 children were poisoned by pesticides in the US• the World Health Organization reports 220,000 people die every year

worldwide because of pesticide poisoning. • in 2001, the world pesticide market was valued at $32 billion • although most pesticides (80%) are used in the rich countries, most of the

poisonings are in poor countries. This is because safety standards are poor, there may be no protective clothing or washing facilities, insufficient enforcement, poor labeling of pesticides which are used by farm workers who can't read anyway. Few people know much about pesticide hazards.

• pesticide residues in food are often higher in poor countries. • farmers who use pesticides have a 'significantly higher rate of cancer

incidence' than non-farmers. • in the US, nearly one in ten of about 3 billion kilograms (that's 6,613,800,000

pounds) of toxic chemicals released per year is known to be capable of causing cancer (in other animals as well as people).

SolutionsSolutions

• have laws to limit the use of pesticides

• encourage people to eat organic

• eat local

• grow your own vegetables

• join an organization

ex. LEAD (livestock, environment and development)

Thank-you Thank-you