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.