AGRICULTURE
OVERVIEW
UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE
Industrialized agriculture is destroying the soil's microbiome (our planet's last chance to combat global warming), filling the environment with pesticides, decimating insects and invertebrates, causing a “superweed” epidemic, and creating a cascade of human health problems.
GET THE FACTS
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Crops genetically modified to resist herbicides (weedkillers) have dramatically increased the use of herbicides, due to weeds' ongoing evolving resistance to the chemicals.
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Pesticides used in agriculture pose a grave threat to organisms that are critical to healthy soil, biodiversity and soil carbon sequestration that can help fight climate change.
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Agricultural run-off is leading to ocean acidification and massive algae blooms ("eutrophication") in lakes and rivers.
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Four large corporations who patent the genetic sequence of GMO seeds now dominate the global commercial seed (and pesticides) market.
- Since the introduction of glyphosate-resistant crops, about 38 weed species worldwide have been identified that have developed resistance to glyphosate.
- Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are not only inhumane for animals, they produce large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions that pollute the air and trap the sun's heat in our atmosphere.
BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION
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Choose organic: products labeled Non-GMO Project Certified, USDA Organic, or Canadian Organic Certified—these don't contain harmful pesticides or genetically modified organisms.
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Eat Less Meat: the #1 use of genetically modified grain is feeding meat animals in factory farms.
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Buy Local: visit your farmer's market often; join a CSA, support your farmer directly by purchasing from the farm when possible.
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Grow Your Own: whether you can do patio containers or a spot in your yard, vegetables grown at home help offset food costs and ensure healthy options.
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Become a Soil Hero! Click here to get started >