USDA Decides to Deregulate Genetically Engineered Alfalfa by Monsanto

Why is the USDA Ignoring Environmental Scientists on Dangers of GMO Alfalfa by Monsanto?


President Obama wants to show he is business-friendly yet will he ultimately allow the USDA to give in to the whims of the GMO-producing multi-national corporation Monsanto? Many farmers, scientists and organic business leaders in the sustainable environmental community are upset over the USDA's recent decision last week to deregulate without restriction Monsanto's genetically engineered alfalfa seeds that are immune to Monsanto's flagship herbicide Round-up.

Are Genetically Engineered Seeds Hazardous to One's Health?

There are many stories, past and present, documenting the tragic suicides of farmers in India who killed themselves because they were forced to continue buying GMO seeds from Monsanto instead of using their traditional method of cleaning seeds to create next year's crops. Many of the GMO seeds could only be used with Monsanto's herbicide Round-up, otherwise crops would fail. In addition, farmers in India had to find ways to increase water usage in order to keep their GE crops alive.

The Center for Food Safety published an article that includes a report titled, "Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use in the United States: The First Thirteen Years." The Report revealed that there is a large rise in pesticide use on genetically engineered (GE) crops due to the spread of resistant weeds.

Monsanto Indian Farmer Suicide

Stephen Leahy reported in his article, "US: Monsanto "Seed Police" Scrutinise Farmers," that "Monsanto prohibits farmers from saving seed from varieties that have been genetically engineered (GE) to kill bugs and resist ill-effects from the herbicide glyphosate (sold under the brand name Roundup).

Should Obama be Business-friendly to Corporations primarily dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility?

"Change we can believe in" is if President Obama and the USDA supported corporations that practiced real corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sound ecological farming. Let's help businesses that are responsible to Mother Earth and all its inhabitants--human, animal and plant life!


Dangers of Deregulating Monsanto's Genetically Engineered Alfalfa

Many agricultural experts are concerned that deregulation of the Round-up Ready (RR) GMO alfalfa will make it difficult to keep alfalfa crops purely organic and non-gmo due to long distance bee pollination of RR GMO alfalfa plants beyond specific areas!

Gary Hirshberg, Chairman and President and CE-YO of Stonyfield Farm wrote this passionate piece in the Huffington Post, "Speaking With One Voice to Stop Monsanto and Biotech," urging all people to come together to "restore sanity to our food system, protect farmers, and preserve consumer choice."

In 2010, according to Hirshberg, the Center for Food Safety's case against deregulation of the GMO alfalfa, the Supreme Court ruled that "there could be no deregulation without the USDA making a full assessment of GE alfalfa's environmental impact, and the court placed an injunction on planting of GE alfalfa."

Listening to Mother Earth by HikingArtist.com on Flickr in the creative commons

Hirshberg says Stonyfield will continue to oppose the deregulation of the GE alfalfa and will advocate for unbiased scientific studies and findings about the dangers of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops like Monsanto's GE Alfalfa.

Here is an open letter from Maria Rodale, CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc. and concerned citizens regarding why the USDA should refrain from deregulating GE alfalfa on any level.

World Economic Forum and Cradle to Cradle Sustainability

The Annual Meeting of The World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos brings together leaders from around the globe.


Davos provides an opportunity for people from academia, government, industry, civil society and the media to engage in new thinking and problem solving about global problems facing humanity.

An article by the Fast Company,  "Rocking the Cradle to Cradle Revolution in Davos," highlighted this year's WEF included the Young Global Leader's (YGL) Task force reception on Cradle to Cradle processes and technologies.

According to the Fast Company article, the Cradle to Cradle "model of production and consumption is based on less dependence on raw materials and energy inputs, as well as the dramatic reduction or elimination of waste at every stage of the product lifecycle."

Cradle to Cradle Processes

The above photo is called "Cradle to Cradle C2C" by 

Mr. Thinktank on flickr creative commons.

Professor Michael Braungart, author of "Cradle to Cradle - Remaking the Way We Make Things," is interviewed by Green TV in 2009 where he discusses the impact of implementing Cradle to Cradle processes throughout the world:

William McDonough: The wisdom of designing Cradle to Cradle

Architect William McDonough spoke at TED in 2007 about Cradle to Cradle Design. He said:

"As Kevin Kelly pointed out, "There is no endgame, there is an infinite game..." and we're playing in that infinite game. And so we call it "Cradle to Cradle."... Our goal is a delightfully diverse, safe, healthy and just world, with clean air, water, soil and power - economically, equitably, ecologically and elegantly enjoyed."

Here's a link to the WEC Flickr site of the 2011 Davos event.


The Young Global Leader's article, "New Biz Models: Cradle to Cradle" states:

"Closed-loop economics will call for a re-examination of company strategy...consumer goods companies will have to take responsibility for the impact of their products at every stage from production and manufacture to consumption and recycling.

This extended reach will require companies to manage larger and more complex networks of relationships beyond the traditional supplier-customer dynamic, and to more actively manage the whole-life impact of their products."

The WEC believes in raising the next generation of leaders to help solve the world's problems.

Davos 2011 - Aung San Suu Kyi

Talk to Mother Earth Chat #1

Talk to Mother Earth Chat #1

Mother Earth Checks In

Hello Sweetheart:

How are you. Sorry it has been a bit stormy this winter. And Oh, I know the snow was a bit high in the East Coast. It's time that we had a little chat, you and me.

What's all this I hear about how some people think there is no such thing as Global Warming. Honey, haven't you noticed there have been some unusual weather patterns going on around the world?

Global Climate Change means just that. It isn't just that it's very hot only. Global Climate Change means there are extreme changes in Climate. What part of that haven't you noticed lately?  I heard you have friends that were stranded in Georgia because of the snow storms and ice. Isn't that unusual?

And for those of you who doubt that there is a connection with pollution and carbon gases, it's time for you  to listen to my little chat.

Sweetheart, I'm always here waiting to talk with you. So anytime you want to discuss what's going on, please let me know and we'll get some nice tea or coffee together.

This is your Mother Earth (ME).

All my love to you and the kids,

P.S. One more thing, how about looking into how to create more harmonious energy processes rather than destroying the earth. You only have one Mother sweetie.

That's all for now!

Bye, Later.