TEAM MANGO ATANAS BOSAKOV OLGA SHAPOVAL /20/2011 PESTICIDES CHEMICAL WEAPON FOR MASS DISTRUCTION

Introduction: AGRECULTURAL USAGE OF PESTICIDES The demand for more affordable food and efficient crop led to over-usage of pesticides in the United States. Our buying behavior as consumers stimulates corporations to produce more and more pesticides that are polluting the environment: the food we consume, the water we drink, and the air we breathe create health issues beyond our control. “Man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creations.” Albert Schweitzer

1. Analysis / Diagnosis: Outcome(s)  Outcome: Originally used as chemical weapons during WWII, pesticides are now commonly used in agriculture with the intention to increase crop efficiency  Consequences: Contamination of water, air, and food supplies for humans and other species  Problems: toxic chemicals kill not only the targeted species but nature in general. Pesticides are linked to human cancer. They also alter the species on a hormonal level. How What When Where Who Why? Data: The usage of pesticides in agriculture today is approximately 76 million pounds annually. Example: Federal testing found 98% of apples and 97% of bell peppers are contaminated

2. Analysis / Diagnosis: Actions / Causes  Actions: Pesticides companies supply their products due to consumers' demand for cheaper food  Behavior: Short-term savings and increasing profit without consideration for the environment and sustainable future  Thinking: It's better to buy whatever is cheaper and easily accessible  Doing: People support unsustainable farming due to lack of knowledge about the hidden external costs of producing affordable food

3. Analysis / Diagnosis: Beliefs  Beliefs: People believe that they don't harm the environment by favoring cheap prices  Values: People value money more than the environment and their health  Ethics/Morals: People feel greater moral obligation to support themselves and their families rather than sustain the environment and the community  Philosophies: Think for the moment not for the future With the raising demand for food, the prices go up. However, companies find new ways to supply affordable food. The burden is on the environment and our ability to sustain.

4. Summary Issue Because we tend to pursue short-term personal materialistic goals over long- term sustainability, we choose convenience and cheaper prices. The results are, however, negative for the environment and the humanity. Every dollar we spend on cheap food poisons the environment and contributes to health problems. In addition, by demanding cheap food, we give our consent for unsustainable farming. Using pesticides to increase food production causes land, water, and air pollution.  Therefore, the public needs to gain more awareness and inform itself about the negative consequences caused by pesticides usage. As a humanity being part of the environment, we have to reconsider our values. Change in our buying behavior can make a significant positive change for the environment.

5. THE REMEDY  Beliefs: In Sustainable Farming Practices and Limited Pesticides Usage  Values: The Nature  Ethics/Morals: The Obligation to Endure  Philosophies: Support Local Farmers Who Practice Responsible Farming, Know Where the Food Is coming From. Import, 1-3 examples, facts, pictures, graphs that emphasize / underscore / explain the beliefs.

6. Prescription: Desired Actions / Behaviors  Actions: Increase community awareness and educate people about the harm of pesticides  Behavior: with consideration for the environment  Doing: Require Community Leaders to Regulate and Label Pesticide- Treated Food

7. Planned Outcome  Outcome: Better Educated People on the topic will lead to a greater demand for wholesome food  Consequences: Producers and Farmers will be forced to change their farming practices due to the higher demand for organic produce.  Solutions: Healthier People and Sustainable Future Paying more for food reduces your future medical bills Buying from local farmers builds economically stronger community that eventually benefits you By respecting the nature, you create future

8. Summary Conclusions Changing our behavior today can overturn the negative impact we have created in the past. By using pesticides more knowledgeably and responsibly, we can create a sustainable relationship between us and the environment. We have the obligation to endure.

References, Resources, and Work Cited: military-roots.cfm “The Obligation To Endure” by Rachael Carson