The Problem with Pesticides
The Problem with Pesticides
Pesticides & Human Health
Pesticides are bad for us.
We are exposed to pesticides daily, through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the greenspaces we work, live and play on.
Pesticides have been shown to: cause cancers, disrupt hormones, harm reproductive health, cause kidney and liver damage, harm our nervous system, induce developmental issues.
Research shows that Black, Indigenous and people of color and low-income communities shoulder a disproportionate burden of the harms caused by pesticides in the United States.
Pesticides & Biodiversity Loss
Pesticide use is contributing to catastrophic biodiversity loss.
Pesticides are often toxic to birds, bees, fish and aquatic organisms.
Research shows that more than 90% of pollen samples from bee hives in agricultural landscapes are contaminated with pesticides.
Data shows that more than 90% of stream samples are contaminated with pesticides.
Biologists have found more than 150 different chemical residues in bee pollen.
Pesticides & Climate Change
Though toxins are not typically part of the climate change conversation, synthetic pesticide use is contributing to climate change.
Pesticides contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions
Pesticides are petroleum-based, meaning their production involves the production and consumption of fossil fuels.
Pesticides are making our agricultural systems and landscapes more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Research shows that pesticides reduce the microbial life in the soil, making the soil less effective in sequestering carbon and retaining water.
The Problem With Lawns
While not inherently bad, we have a few bones to pick with the lawn:
First and foremost, lawns are not "natural." The idea of the perfectly manicured lawn is a colonial relic that wipes away local ecosystems and native plant-life in the pursuit of creating a "tamed" landscape.
But what really puts the nail in the coffin?
The agrochemical industry has, for decades, perpetuated the myth that in order to maintain a beautiful lawn you must use highly toxic pesticides and fertilizers. So in addition to perpetuating colonial aesthetics, most lawns are managed using an immense amount of water and chemicals that are poisoning us and our environment.
So, what's the solution?
We know colleges and universities are not ready to part with their lawns entirely, so we want to ensure that lawns are as ecologically beneficial as possible. This is achieved through eliminating harmful pesticides and fertilizers and building soil health through organic land care. Organic land care does not change the way your campus looks, rather changes how it is managed. You can read more about our solutions here.
Want to learn more about the problem with pesticides?
Read our articles to learn more.
Exposure to pesticides has countless health issues; studies have shown that it is linked to fertility issues including low sperm effectiveness, chronic hormonal diseases like endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and cancer. Read the full article here.
Pesticides are detrimental to pollinator populations, which are in decline globally. Pollinators can both be inadvertently killed by synthetic pesticides and experience health issues that affect their reproduction and their ability to spread pollen between plants. Read the full article here.
The use of genetically engineered (GE) crops in agriculture is a contentious subject. While some argue these crops and the synthetic pesticides used alongside them are essential for feeding the growing global population, the reality is much darker. Read the full article here.