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>>> OPINIONS

The Sides of Herbicides

Greg Berg
OP Contributor

Our greatest efforts to control nature have
been made in the past twentieth century. The
capabilities of that industrial century made it
easy to do so with the mass production of
goods. With the arrival of the twenty-first centu-
ry came hope for change, but it has yet to mate-
rialize. But when it comes to the use of pesti-
cides and herbicides, change is needed as soon
as possible.

I've been a homeowner for two years. | looked
forward to having my own yard in order to grow
a garden to feed my mind and stomach. As with
any new experience, you will make mistakes.
For the care of the lawn | bought a weed and
feed mixture in granular form. They are available
everywhere and
considered to be
the best answer
to a healthy lawn.

When it came
time to read the
directions for use
| became suspi-
cious. Cautions
of severe skin irri-
tation and fume
inhalation were
boldly printed on
the bag. Any
product should
be questioned that
claims to be healthy for one thing yet dangerous
to another. And dangerous it was. A chemical
called 2,4-D was the main ingredient.

Even with the little | knew about this com-
pound | knew it carried a dark history. Claims of
being a carcinogen by several agencies are not
uncommon. These accusations are countered
by manufacturers stating their product is per-
fectly safe. Though, in at least one case, a
forestry worker in the U.S. died as a result from
direct exposure to 2,4-D resulting in compensa-
tion for his wife.

Another concern stems from how close chil-
dren play to an area where 2,4-D has been
used. Some consider this a link in developmen-
tal problems due to the developing immune sys-
tems children have. Their systems are simply
not strong or capable enough at a young age to
deal with the toxicity. | decided these were risks
| was not willing to take to rid myself of a few
dandelions. Many people still do though, and
with the arrival of summer the feed sales are
sure to increase. In early spring every year
chemical companies courting farmers reappear
with the latest in weed
control. They are constantly changing’ their

 

 

 

products because weeds continue to adapt.
Genetic engineering is the latest development in
weed control as chemicals are paired up with a
specific genetically modified seed. In many
cases the chemicals are getting stronger in
order to be effective. This continuous attack kills
natural organisms in the soil and pollutes our
waters. By continuing such large-scale practices
of chemical application we are defeating our-
selves in the process.

Chemical treatments are short-term solutions
(something we tend to be good at) and not a
sustainable practice. Past civilizations, such as
the Mayas, existed and thrived for three civiliza-
tion periods without the use of chemicals. They
survived bad crop years and thrived when the
season was good. No different than we do today.
The dividing difference was that the natural

order was not upset
and diversifica-
tion played a key
role. The Maya’s
system of agricul-
ture used the
support of differ-
ent species of
plants in order to
be self-sustain-
ing.

The fact that
broad leaf vari-
eties of weed are
so popular today

is likely our doing.
With higher concentrations of Co2 in the air,
broad leaf varieties will naturally take advan-
tage. As an example, a stem of wheat will never
outperform a broad leaf plant, which can absorb
more Co2 and sunlight due to its design. This is
seen as a reason to the proliferation of weeds as
a product of an environmental condition bred in
the past century.

A combination of new and ancient agricultural
methods could go far in alleviating some of the
strain on the land that produces our food.
Subsistence farming in place of market systems
could allow us to grow only what is needed to
make way for sustainable, rotational growing
practices. We have a long way to go but the
more we learn, the more we can change the
way things are done.

Getting back to my lawn, a person might ask,
“What's the big deal, it's only one lawn.” But
when you consider how many lawns are poten-
tially using the same products, it adds up quick-
ly. For most regions these chemicals are enter-
ing our soil and water sources all at the same
time. It is asking too much of our earth to absorb.
So where does that leave us, when it’s our food,
our land, and water? ‘Cided ...

 

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