Mayday Mayday: Invasion of the Climate Snatchers...
1st May 2008 - Day of Action Against False Solutions to Climate Change
Genetic Engineering
Having failed to convince the world of the need for GM for devolopment issues; mainly because it reduced food soveriegnty and placed farmers in the hands of multinationals; the biotech lobby are back. This time they are trying to convince us that only GM can truly save us from the worse effects of climate change.
The biotech industry is again claiming that GM will feed the world, although this time not because of increased yealds, but because they will make the drought/ flood/ pick your extreme wether event variety. They are aslo claiming that new crops that require less fertiliser should be given carbon credits; see Greenpeace article. This from the companies that lobby hard against organic agriculture, that uses no nitrogen fertiliser, and threaten its very existance with the release of GM into the wild.
The same hazards that caused widespread popular rejection of GM, and the eventual withdrawal from UK of GM food, still apply. Genetic modification in food and farming raises many fundamental environmental, social, health and ethical concerns. There is increasing evidence of contamination of conventional crops and wild plants, and potential damage to wildlife. The effects on human health of eating these foods remain uncertain and some scientists are calling for much more rigorous safety testing. It is clear that further research into all these issues is vital. Furthermore the public has not been properly involved in decision making processes, despite strong public support for the precautionary approach to GM in the UK and the EU.
What's wrong with GM food?
A monopoly on seed stocks by giant multinationals. Cross-contamination of non-GM crops and organisms. Crop failure and economic ruin for farmers. Threats to biodiversity. Potential risks to human health... The list goes on The simple truth is, we don't need GM technology. And it certainly isn't the solution to climate chaos. Using sustainable and organic farming methods will allow us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, repair the damage done by industrial farming, reduce the excessive use of fertiliser, herbicides and other man-made chemicals, and make GM crops redundant.
For more info please visit
Genewatch
Greenpeace
Friends
of the Earth
Chrisitan
Aid report
Action
Aid
For UK direct action and local groups please visit
GEN
A collection of resources about technocratic solutions
A collection of information about climate criminals