The month of February, 2023 has manifested and is just about gone. Never before, in my living experience, have I witnessed such disastrous and tragic manifestations of Climate Change, which should be more appropriately referred to as ‘Climate Emergency’; These manifestations are on human health (or lack of it), animal health and environmental health….but, how many people know that there is a direct correlation between worsening climate change and overuse/misuse of synthetic pesticides?

This month’s ‘article’ is not the usual blog article but rather a ‘special announcement’ of the arrival of the paperback edition of the book Synthetic Pesticides Use in Africa; The impact on People, Animals and the Environment. Click here for more: https://www.routledge.com/Synthetic-Pesticide-Use-in-Africa-Impact-on-People-Animals-and-the-Environment/Wilson-Huber/p/book/9781032002828

Why this deviation from the usual blog article and what is the unique value addition of this book?

• Firstly, because the authors of the various chapters are world renown experts in their respective fields; they bring together evidence that has not been packaged in one book ever, before - multidisciplinary experts provide scientific evidence of the correlation between synthetic pesticide use and the negative impact on People, Animals and the Environment, especially, in Africa.

• Secondly, because the editors, Professor Charles Wilson and Professor Don Huber are eminent scientists, academics, researchers and development practitioners who are widely published in their respective fields, now in their sunset years; their knowledge and wisdom is not only timely but priceless. From an African perspective, they would be referred to as ‘libraries of knowledge’.

• Thirdly, because this new book is, finally, in a paperback edition which means it is more affordable to more people and in particular within the African continent, both in academic and non-academic circles. The e-edition should make the book even more accessible and affordable.

• Fourthly, the content of this book provides scientific evidence which explains the previously little understood linkages and interrelationships between synthetic pesticides use and their negative impacts on people, animals and the environment, which in turn, contribute to the negative impacts of climate change.

• Last and least the book authorship gave me the privilege of ‘swimming with the dolphins’ as the author of Chapter One of the book; here: https://www.routledge.com/Synthetic-Pesticide-Use-in-Africa-Impact-on-People-Animals-and-the-Environment/Wilson-Huber/p/book/9781032002828

• Enjoy the reading… apply the scientific evidence and knowledge therein to advocate for the reduction and elimination of use of synthetic pesticides to grow our food… which poisons the food and contaminants the environment…it is not healthy nor climate friendly!

• Healthy and sustainable climate friendly alternatives exist. These agroecological and regenerative approaches have been shared in previous articles on this blog.

December 2022 is just about gone and with it the year 2022 ebbs away into the abyss of history: What developmental lessons have we learnt to date and what does the future portend for humanity?

Unlike previous articles on this blog; see November article here; https://organicconsumersalliance.org/our-blog/181-a-revisit-of-the-convergence-of-toxicity-from-gmos-and-mrna-vaccines-the-post-vaccination-effects-enhanced-by-gmos.html this one, for the month of December, poses an existential question; What developmental lessons have we learnt to date  and what does the future portend for humanity?

• Humanity is at crossroads; there are only two options to choose from…read on...

Throughout the history of mankind (humankind), human evolution and development has been informed and shaped by two antagonistic forces, the forces of good versus the forces of evil; the forces of positive energy versus the forces of negative energy; the forces aligned with nature versus the forces against nature.

• Throughout human evolution, man has increasingly exerted and caused the greatest imbalance to the ecosystem in the name of ‘civilization’, this developmental trajectory has, unfortunately, not been informed by the forces aligned with nature and natural harmony with the resultant inequity and injustice we witness today; that inequitable distribution of resources and ensuing inequity and injustice has informed the articulation of the 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs); Here, a summary; https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

• The question that begs an answer is; ‘how can the same creators of the social and economic inequity claim to drive the human development agenda towards a state of equity and justice?’
• Increasing poverty, hunger and deteriorating health outcomes are the three most pressing human existence threats, today, compounded by the ‘climate change crisis’; a direct and indirect result of the capitalistic socio-economic system designed to benefit only a few, especially the emerging exclusive class of the ‘billionaire elite’.

• This uber wealthy class have accumulated disproportionately massive wealth by leveraging exploitative and extractive means without regard or care as to how the inequitable distribution of wealth has impacted the rest of humanity and the ecosystem.
• This developmental model that is unjust and inequitable has increasingly manifested in increasing poverty, hunger and ill health (see Sustainable Development goals no. 1, 2 and 3) in addition to the SDGs related to climate change, now ‘climate crisis’.
• The current human condition is a vicious cycle, exemplified by a broken food system, which can only be fixed if humanity makes radically transformational changes; starting with fixing the food and nutrition system and redistributing wealth. This wealth is currently controlled by a few psychopathic techno-billionaire elites.
• Who are these techno-elites who perceive themselves as ‘gods’ who think they have the power to ‘hack the human genome and create humans in their own image’?

• Here is a good starting point; the leadership of the World Economic Forum (WEF) consider themselves as akin to ‘gods with divine power’ to determine the future of the rest of humanity; Have a listen to Klaus Schwab and one of his advisors, Yuval Harari pontificate on how they visualize the future of humanity:
• Here is a short video in which they articulate their perceived future;

• Do we have more evidence of their coordinated and strategic plans to ‘create the world in their own image? The image that Yuval Harari and Klaus Schwab allude to in the shared video?
• Yes, there is plenty of evidence; Here is one such video, demonstrating a ‘joint venture’ to replace natural seeds with GMO seeds, the video was shot in Uganda, sometime ago;
• This is concrete evidence of attempts to re-create the world in their own image, including their patented seeds and food…GMOs and ‘GMO soya based meat products’…one of Bill Gates obsessions…

Going forward the question is… ‘is this how humankind intends to address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including how to reduce world poverty, hunger and disease?’  Is there another way? An approach, a system which is more equitable, more just, more caring and in harmony with natural ecosystems?

• Yes, the good news is that there is another option, one that addresses the 17 SDGs, truly, ‘leaving no one behind’, in a simple yet time tasted ancestral food web, understood and practiced over millennia, by among others, ancient Mexicans;
• The Three Sisters is an example of an inclusive and indigenous wisdom based method of wholesome, agroecological food cultivation; maize/corn, beans and squash/pumpkins were grown together and synergistically supported each other, hence the name the ‘The Three Sisters’; https://alamedabackyardgrowers.org/a-history-lesson-indigenous-garden-techniques-with-the-three-sisters/
• A simple yet science informed approach that ensured continuous soil enrichment and a steady supply of safe and nutritious food, without use of harmful, soil destroying synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals.
• Here is another example of the preferred option, the agrobiodiversity informed approach which is in alignment with nature and ensures, not only food security but also food sovereignty; where people grow their preferred foods and still retain their tree/forest cover: An example from Tanzania;

• As next steps, as we enter the year 2023, there is need to redouble our efforts to create awareness among as many people as possible, by all means possible, including leveraging innovative Social Media platforms, like YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, among others, to warn humanity on the impending danger and inherent existential threat from blindly following a small group of psychopathic billionaire elites who are scheming, marketing and executing the exclusive techno-elites controlled food system in which they plan to re-create the world in their image and to play god’, at the expense of the rest of humanity!

• There is another option, a better way to chart and define the future of humanity; a more just and equitable world order; it includes an inclusive agroecological food system approach, which leaves no one behind.

• The agroecological food and nutrition system will seamlessly address the current ‘quadruple crises’ of Poverty, Hunger, Burden of Disease and Climate Change in an integrated approach that provides developmental solutions to all the 17 SDGs, especially the interlinked and interconnected challenges of the ‘quadruple crises’.

• In an effort to create awareness on the better choice of the two options that humanity faces, under the auspices of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa(AFSA) a recently published book has been launched; This book is co-authored by the blog writer, Dr. Peter Mokaya, titled; ‘My Food is African’....download a free copy here: https://afsafrica.org/my-food-is-african-healthy-soil-safe-foods-and-diverse-diets/

• Enjoy the festive season… remember… ‘My Food is African’ and stay alert
• Don’t succumb to the less than noble schemes and machinations of the exclusivist future, as defined and executed by World Economic Forum(WEF) elitists who are hellbent to ‘re-create the world in their own image… by playing God’.

January 2023 is just about gone; meanwhile, the world is far from reaching a consensus on the safety of GMO crops as food for human consumption. This month’s article is a follow up to the December 2022 article which discussed the two options on who should grow and control food, going into the future: https://organicconsumersalliance.org/our-blog/182-a-choice-between-two-options-an-exclusive-techno-elites-controlled-food-system-versus-an-inclusive-agroecological-food-system.html

This January article provides scientific evidence on why growing GMOs crops, as food for human consumption, goes against the UN Precautionary Principle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartagena_Protocol_on_Biosafety#

• There is no documented evidence on GMOs contribution to food security anywhere in the world: On the contrary, this month’s article shares evidence of harm to human health and the environment from GMO foods and yet safer alternatives exist.

• Let us commence this informative piece by listening to the short video interview of the author of this article, Dr. Peter Mokaya, explain the lack of safety from consuming genetically modified foods engineered to tolerate glyphosate, whose chemical name is N-phosphonomethylglycine.
• The glyphosate molecule is the main ingredient in the common weed killer called Roundup which among other things has been linked to cancers. WHO, in a 2015 publication, has classified it as a group/class 2A carcinogen!
• Have a listen to the video here:

• In retrospect, the invention of this small molecule called ‘glyphosate’ initially used as a rust removal and cleaning agent for industrial piping systems, later found to have herbicidal properties, was to become one of the most insidious and dangerous molecules ever invented…little wonder some have referred to it as the ‘Devils Molecule’!
• While some have argued that it has ‘revolutionized’ farming, the devil is in the detail. This water soluble, clear molecule, soon proved to be a major money maker for the patent holder, Monsanto(now owned by Bayer)… with the patent expired it allows other agrochemical companies to manufacture cheaply and sell it worldwide.

• The money was so good Monsato scientists decided to genetically modify maize(corn) and soya, among other crops, to tolerate glyphosate while normal normal plants were killed by glyphosate!. This new ‘monster seed’ was, unlike normal seeds, able to resist death from glyphosate!

• The video interview(see above) discusses the same in a layman’s language. These type of GMOs are described as ‘herbicide tolerant’(Ht GMOs). They are the most widely produced and grown GMOs, often in combination with the Bacillus Thuringiesis(Bt GMOs) carrying traits. When the two modified genes are inserted in one maize seed they are referred to as 'stacked traits'.

• This is the ‘stacked double trait’ GMO maize variety planned for introduction in Kenya, if the proposed lifting of the GMo ban (currently in Court) is allowed and GMO maize is imported into Kenya, from USA!
• While pro-GMO scientists argue that with the introduction of GMO seeds, there will be a reduction in the use of toxic herbicides and pesticides, the opposite is true. Indeed super weeds will arise: Here is the evidence of superweeds arising from over use of glyphosate in GMO farming. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121002092839.htm

• Is there any scientific evidence of an increase in use of pesticides with GMO farming and food production? Yes. Charles Benbrooke in peer reviewed publications has provided evidence of increase of herbicides and pesticides increase with GMOs; a 15-fold increase was noted!
• Here is the evidence: https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-016-0070-0

• There is a lack of evidence of safety of GMOs, which are currently being pushed on Africa. GMOs safety concerns remain a controversial issue to the extent that over half of the world has partial to total bans on GMO importation/use as food and feed. For example, most European countries have imposed bans on GMOs, including Germany, where the ‘owners’ of glyphosate are based!

• Why would there be controversy or lack of safety consensus if GMOs were safe?
• Even countries, like Mexico, which previous imported USA produced GMOs for animal feed only, are now planning to phase out these GMO imports by 2025. Here the evidence. https://www.naturalnews.com/2023-01-27-washington-panicking-over-mexico-rejecting-gmo-crops.html#
• In addition to the above scientific evidence of the health and environmental concerns on use of GMOs, which invariably results in more use of glyphosate and glyphosate based herbicides and pesticides, new research suggests that contamination is more widespread to the extent of being found in pollen of wild flowers grown in close proximity to GMO crop farms! The result?
• Other than the honey being contaminated with residues of glyphosate, the honey bees, critical pollinators, are slowly dying off from glyphosate toxicity!
• Here is the evidence: https://www.naturalnews.com/2023-01-26-glyphosate-is-spreading-further-into-the-ecosystem.html#

• Finally, on the increasing harm from the GMO/glyphosate combo, the latest findings point to glyphosate’s linkage to disease causing pathology linked to cancers and other non-communicable diseases. The evidence, published in Nature (and which the article author mentioned about in the short video) is a matter of great public safety concern, which adds more reasons for avoiding GMOs grown with glyphosat
• These pathologies, apparently manifest in the grandchildren(F2) and great grandchildren(F3) of the contaminated individual’s family lineage!
• Read on, the evidence: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-42860-0

Going forward, are there safer and environmentally friendly ways of producing healthy food to achieve food security while ensuring less contamination from synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Indeed, there are proven approaches and related food systems that are radically different which are informed by the age old wisdom of growing food in harmony with nature.

• Charles Wilson, a renown sustainable agriculture, food safety and food security expert (and a great friend of the author of this article), summarizes the pros and cons of this divergent food systems. Guided by the evidence presented, he recommends Regenerative Agriculture and related food systems, including agroecological and organic approaches, as the way forward.
• He refers to it as the ‘quadruple win-win-win-win’; the regenerative approach provides a solution to; climate change, food security, environment biodiversity and soil regeneration, removing/reducing toxic synthetic fertilizers, GMOs and pesticides from our food chain and food system, which in turn, will result in a reduction of the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
• Read on… https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/regenerative-agriculture-quadruple-win-win-win-win-man-wilson
• Now you have the evidence why governments should apply the Precautionary Principle to GMOs introduction;
• They should, instead, promote the safer Regenerative Agriculture and related agroecological food and nutrition systems, including Organic Agriculture.