Flow

          Water is the source of life. Without it, we cannot survive. Some have lived without water for forty-eight hours, others eight days, but they all surely die. While water is not an unlimited resource, the largest factor involved in water scarcity is contamination. The film Flow discusses water contamination in full. It also discusses the privatization of water, those benefiting from that privatization, and the effects it has on developing nations.  

            In the United States, our water is contaminated by a number of sources. These range from the cosmetics we use on our faces, hair, and body to the medications we take. A large number of fish off the coast of Texas were found to have Prozac in their bloodstreams. It has also been noted that many birth control pills cause fish to change sex leading to the depletion of fish populations in certain areas. The contaminants are flushed through sewage systems, “purified,” and pumped into oceans. As was taught in elementary school science classes, water goes through a cycle which includes evaporation and precipitation. Therefore, it can be determined that this contaminated water often falls upon our soil.

            Cosmetics are not the only issue involved in water contamination. Corporations are the largest culprits. These include both agricultural corporations and other such factories. In the agricultural industry, a large amount of water is used. This water is used to grow crops, but is also used as drinking water for animals. While a large majority of clean water is being used to sustain animals on industrial agriculture farms, pure water sources are also being contaminated by this same industry. This is caused by runoff of fecal contamination that destroys estuaries, as well as slaughterhouse remnants run off. While this happens a lot in the U.S., it also happens in other countries, such as Bolivia.

            In Flow, the privatization of water in Bolivia is discussed, as well as that in Africa. The Bolivian people protested the privatization of water, but their government did not heed their retort, as they were directed by the World Bank to allow it. The poorest persons in this nation were then unable to purchase water due to a lack of funds. They were unable to pay for the thing necessary for sustaining life. They were enraged, because water had always been free.

            Large companies claim that the privatization of water ensures clean water for developing nations. However, they fail to mention that they are completely unwilling to give this resource for free. They want to make money from their investments. In Africa, specifically, many large water corporations have set up wells of clean water. Persons must pay to gather water from these sources. South Africans in poor, rural areas are advised not to drink water from streams, and are asked to pay for water from these sources. However, they do not have a choice. If you do not have money, paying for clean water is not an option. You are forced to drink the contaminated water, even if it is the source of your mother’s death.

            Large companies make themselves seem like philanthropists who are providing a solution to the problem of water scarcity. However, they are not making the providing a solution at all. They do not view clean water as a necessity, but a commodity. It is advertised to the poorest of the poor and implemented in their communities. But having access to purchasable clean water does not change a person’s financial circumstances or their ability to receive clean water.

            Other persons have created more viable options for the poor. One Indian man implemented a UV water purifying system that offered clean water to villagers for just two American dollars a year per person. There are viable alternatives. But these cannot be implemented until large corporations relinquish control and begin believing that every person, regardless of economic capability, has a right to clean water.

The Ethics of What We Eat

I just finished The Ethics of What We Eat by Peter Singer and Jim Mason. Warning: They are a bit elitist and biased. But this information is on point. It was a fantastic read, probably my favorite book we have covered in the class thus far. I sincerely recommend it for anyone who is concerned about the ethics involved in our food choices. If you are suspicious or curious, delve in.

I want to share two quotes from the book.

This comes from the World Watch Magazine:
"As environmental science has advanced, it has become apparent that the human appetite for animal flesh is a driving force behind virtually every major category of environmental damage now threatening the human future- deforestation, erosion, fresh water scarcity, air and water pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, social injustice, the destabilization of communities and the spread of disease."

Also, they discuss Michael Pollan's beliefs in regards to ethical meat consumption, taking note of the following comment:
"If the walls of both factory farms and slaughterhouses were made of glass, industrial agriculture might be redeemed. Some people would become vegetarians, but others, forced to raise and kill animals in a place where they can be watched, would do it with more consideration for the animal, as well as for the eater. We would have poultry farms where chickens still go outside and hog farms where pigs live as they did 50 years ago- in contact with the sun, the earth and the gaze of the farmer."

To conclude, here is a picture of Paul and Linda McCartney, as well as a link to an awesome interview with Paul some time ago in regards to his vegetarianism.

Interview with Paul McCartney

Start Caring

I am tired of people not caring. I started this blog to save my facebook friends from all the horrible things I know about food and NEED to share. But I am just angry that I even have to do that. We are all affected. There is so much wrong with our system and no one is willing to change it.

For example, our mass production of animals has caused there to be more fecal matter than we know what to do with. This fecal matter causes run off into water systems, destroying estuaries, and creating dead zones. At the same time, food producers are using non-natural fertilizers for their crops (made from petroleum). Why don't we just use the excess fecal matter as fertilizer? Because fecal matter isn't a special interest group like petroleum is.

Those in charge of the food system are controlled by greed and an unwillingness to change. While us consumers are obsessed with cheap food. How much does that cheap food really cost? A LOT. There are so many external costs it isn't funny. At the rate we are going, in fifty years the entire ocean will be dead. It is horrific. And everyone wants to close their eyes about it. Or make fun of the vegetarian. And it's just like. It goes BEYOND meat.

In addition to these troubling things, check out the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. They are great people doing great things. But it is just another aspect of food production we choose to ignore.

Farm Workers Claim Slavery in Florida

E. Coli is not your friend.

Here's the breakdown. While cow's stomachs and our bodies were once able to conquer E. Coli, we are no longer able to. This is because the strands have mutated. Mainly because feeding cows corn, rather than grass, has changed the acidity and composition of their stomachs. (We do this because of massive corn subsidies in the U.S.) While selling E. Coli contaminated meet is forbidden, producers are urged to check for it, rather than mandated. Because of feed lot conditions, it is hard to guarantee that there will be no infected product, or that every animal can be properly checked. Despite laws against selling contaminated meat, there are outbreaks and recalls every year. These companies lose money when they recall products and would rather chance it. That isn't okay.

Link to an article and video from the NY Times which will surely horrify you.

Supposedly, Costco is one of the best at checking their meat, so if you are an avid meat eater, I say shop there. Or if you are a veg lover, share this video/article with your friends. This isn't some hoopla agenda pushing vegan source, it is they NY Times. We should be concerned.