#87 Glyphosate
Are you aware that glyphosate is now used in more than 160 countries? Or, that 1.4 billion pounds of glyphosate are applied every year? With controversy over how toxic glyphosate is for people and the environment, let’s take a deeper look into the truth behind this herbicide.
Glyphosate here, there and everywhere:
Glyphosate is a herbicide that is the active agent in the Roundup weed killer created in 1974. Its use increased substantially after these seeds were genetically engineered to tolerate the chemical. Glyphosate has been sprayed by farmers for over 4 decades. Glyphosate is water soluble, causing it to be spread throughout water systems – including rainfall. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate was a probable human carcinogen.
Glyphosate Facts:
Nearly all the corn, soy, and cotton now grown in the US is treated with glyphosate.
Glyphosate has been found in over 70% of rainfall samples worldwide.
Glyphosate based herbicides have been a major contributor in the reduction of the monarch butterfly and has been shown to alter bee behavior.
Roundup is the second most widely used US lawn and garden weed killer.
Glyphosate raises the cancer risk of exposed individuals by 41%.
All chemicals, including herbicides, are potentially hazardous to human health.
Glyphosate is not included in the U.S. government’s testing of food for pesticide residues or the monitoring of chemicals in human blood and tissues.
Studies have also reported exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides can cause kidney and liver damage.
There are 85 pesticides used in the US that are banned in other countries including glyphosate.
How Can I Make An Impact ?
Tier 1: Global Goodness
Learn more about the potential dangers of glyphosate. The more you know, the easier it is to make an informed decision for your health and the health of our planet.
Stop spraying Roundup and other herbicides in your yard.
Buy Organic produce. In many cases even organic produce has been tested to have glyphosate – but the levels are substantially lower. Organic produce is not, in most cases, genetically modified – so it is not tolerant to glyphosate.
Tier 2: Planet Protector
All of Action 1
Read your food labels. Most boxed goods like cereal, grains, and pasta are made with GMO soy, wheat and corn. Almost all of the non-organic cereal has been tested and shown to have glyphosate.
Tell neighbors, friends and family the truth about Roundup and glyphosate.
Say No to GMO. Sign petitions, volunteer for organizations that are working to ban GMO’s and glyphosate.
Tell your local government to stop the use of Roundup and other herbicides in your community.
Tier 3: Earth Angel
All of Action 1 & 2
Tell Congress we need to ban the use of Glyphosate in our country.
Be the change. Speak and share your knowledge.
Choose to be an Ambassador for Change, and always Spread Love and Spread Light.
