climate

allan savory TED talk

Allan Savory’s TED talk (Source: Free From Harm)

Excerpt:

Climate change is transboundary, meaning it doesn’t respect borders. So wherever livestock might be raised under Mr. Savory’s approach, they would surely be vulnerable to disruptive climate events. Such events caused large-scale livestock die-offs in 2009 in every region of the world, including

And

However, while Mr. Savory himself cautions that most livestock today are produced unsustainably, meat promoters can be seen spinning Mr. Savory’s claims as if they apply equally to factory-farmed meat. Yet it’s no new trick to promote factory farmed meat as grass-fed. A grassland producer has himself noted that most marketing of “grass-fed” beef is a hoax.Beef marketed this way commands a 200-300% price premium — so the incentive for producers to cheat is overwhelming, as evidenced in one videotape after another.

You can read the full Article at: Free From Harm.org

I live in Massachusetts, if you do too, then I’m sure you’ve heard the news stories about Malaria and the need for towns to “spray”. The town I live in, has a “Mosquito Control Project” underway which will involve spraying. I have to say, I object wholeheartedly to this idea. I remember back in the 1960s when the towns sprayed DDT and consequently murdered all the birds, as well as other mammals, contaminated ponds, lakes — essentially the water supply as well as exposed us (adults and children) to a highly toxic poison.

If you’re not familiar with what I am talking about then read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and circle back. What happened in the 1960s was, in a word: HORRIFYING! When will the master predator on this Planet we call Mother Earth learn? In case you haven’t noticed, the planet is in crisis and there is only one mammal to blame. Just sayin’…

***************

My town posted the following information (below) about the pesticide being used. Quite frankly, I don’t care how non-toxic they claim this insecticide is, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

Sumithrin (ANVIL) Fact Sheet

Contents

What is sumithrin?
What are the symptoms of exposure to sumithrin?
What are the long term effects of sumithrin?
How does sumithrin affect other species?
How long does sumithrin last in the environment?
Sumithrin product labels

What Is Sumithrin?

Sumithrin is a type I pyrethroid insecticide. Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of a natural insecticide produced by chrysanthemum flowers.

Although pyrethroids are among the least toxic insecticides, they are nerve poisons. They act upon the sodium ion channels in nerve cell membranes.

The pesticide containing sumithrin being used in NY City and its suburbs is called ANVIL (TM). It is 10% sumithrin, 10% piperonyl butoxide and 80% inert ingredients. Piperonyl butoxide makes the pesticide more effective by preventing insects from detoxifying sumithrin.

Manufacturers are not required to disclose the inert ingredients, although they may be toxic also.

What Are the Symptoms of Exposure to Sumithrin?

Inhaling pyrethroid insecticides can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

Skin contact can cause a rash, itching, or blisters.

Piperonyl butoxide can cause skin and eye irritation. All the health effects of this chemical have not been fully researched.

What Are the Long Term Effects of Sumithrin?

Rats fed high doses (1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight or mg/kg) of pyrethrins (natural versions of pyrethroids) showed liver damage. There is also evidence that pyrethroids can harm the thyroid.

Pyrethroids, including sumithrin, have been shown in the lab to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen. In men, endocrine disrupters can lower the sperm count, and in women they can cause the growth of abnormal breast cells.

Piperonyl butoxide has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen.

How Does Sumithrin Affect Other Species?

Sumithrin is not very toxic to mammals, but it is highly toxic to bees and fish.

How Long Does Sumithrin Last in the Environment?

The half-life of sumithrin in soil is one day to sixteen weeks, depending on the type of soil.

Sumithrin Product Labels

ANVIL is a brand name of the sumithrin product. You can learn more about it from the manufacturer’s product label.