Environmentalist: Food Security and Pesticides By: Sabrina Savji

What is food security? Food security has many components to it, it is when all people: Have access to enough food The food provided is affordable, safe, healthy and meets dietary needs The food is cultivated in a proper manner which is environmentally friendly

Food system The food system is made up of many levels and if there is no food security, all levels are affected in some way.

People who cultivate or catch food ex. farmers, fishers and hunters

The environment ex. earth, air, water and energy

People who process, package, distribute, market or advertise the food ex. no frills, coca cola

Wholesalers/warehouses where the food is stored ex. big buildings, costco

Transportation ex. trucks, planes, boats and trains

Places where food is sold and served ex. grocery stores, markets, bakeries, farm stands and restaurants ex. Hospitals and nursing homes

Everyone who eats ex. you and me!

Food insecurity Food insecurity happens when: food is hard to get there are no farms or grocery stores near by food travels a great distance to get to us there isn’t enough money healthy and safe food is not available healthy foods cost more than unhealthy foods the rivers are polluted so fish don’t survive traditional foods are not available or accessible

Short term relief strategy: food banks soup kitchens Cause of food insecurity: low income

Solutions Individuals: develop skills to grow, produce and prepare their own food ex. Cooking classes, composting and vegetable gardening Community: develop social support networks ex. Community gardens, farmers’ markets, “buy local” campaigns Political: change the systems on food charters, policy organizations, food costing and research

A short history of the food security movement in Canada 1996: World Food Summit in Rome, hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Canada joins 186 other nations in supporting the Summit’s goals of eliminating hunger and reducing by half the number of undernourished people no later than the year : Canada develops Action Plan for Food Security 1999: Canadian Food Security Bureau is established 2001: World Food Summit follow-up at FAO and Canadian civil society organizations meet at Ryerson University to provide input for Canada. 2002: In Winnipeg, a Conference on Food Security is held with the goal of creating a provincial organization. 2002: Quebec passes a law to fight poverty and social exclusion. 2004: The second national Food Security Assembly is held in Winnipeg. 2005: The government of Newfoundland & Labrador states its commitment to poverty reduction and seeks input from all sectors 2005: Third national Food Security Assembly in Waterloo. The national organization Food Secure Canada is formed, with Food Security Network of Newfoundland & Labrador as a founding member. 2006: Fourth national Food Security Assembly in Vancouver

My question… Are pesticides really necessary?

What are pesticides? A substance intended for preventing, destroying or repelling any pests. Pesticides are designed to kill or harm organisms, therefore create a risk to humans, animals or the environment.

And pests? Pests can be: insects mice weeds fungi bacteria viruses

Did you know… These are considered to be pesticides: cockroach sprays and baits insect repellents for personal use. rat and other rodent poisons. flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars. kitchen, laundry, and bath disinfectants and sanitizers. products that kill mold and mildew. some lawn and garden products, such as weed killers. some swimming pool chemicals.

Risks Can poison: people livestock wildlife water soil

Facts each year, around 2.5 million tons of pesticide are dumped on the planet's crops. in 2002, an estimated 69,000 children were poisoned by pesticides in the US the World Health Organization reports 220,000 people die every year worldwide because of pesticide poisoning. in 2001, the world pesticide market was valued at $32 billion although most pesticides (80%) are used in the rich countries, most of the poisonings are in poor countries. This is because safety standards are poor, there may be no protective clothing or washing facilities, insufficient enforcement, poor labeling of pesticides which are used by farm workers who can't read anyway. Few people know much about pesticide hazards. pesticide residues in food are often higher in poor countries. farmers who use pesticides have a 'significantly higher rate of cancer incidence' than non-farmers. in the US, nearly one in ten of about 3 billion kilograms (that's 6,613,800,000 pounds) of toxic chemicals released per year is known to be capable of causing cancer (in other animals as well as people).

Solutions have laws to limit the use of pesticides encourage people to eat organic eat local grow your own vegetables join an organization ex. LEAD (livestock, environment and development)

Thank-you Thank-you