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ecobriefs


Wear Blue, Tell Two Celebrate World Oceans Day June 8


Global advocates for protecting the health of our oceans and making it a way of life have focused on youth education as the most promising activity to effect and sustain lasting


positive change, based on research by The Ocean Project (The OceanProject.org). The website suggests a multitude of ways that people of all ages can get on board. It starts by wearing a blue shirt on June 8, World Oceans


Day, and telling two others about the oceans’ vital role in Earth’s ecology. It continues by making it a habit to reduce our daily personal carbon footprint (ocean absorption of carbon dioxide is acidifying waters), and choosing seafood that is sustainably harvested or farmed without harm to coastal waters and seafood stocks. Visit WorldOceansDay.org.


Act Now Help Stop Crop Contamination


On March 29, 2011, Sow True Seed joined 60 family farmers, seed businesses and or- ganic agricultural organizations in a lawsuit led by the nonprofit Public Patent Foundation, challenging chemi- cal giant Monsanto’s right to sue farmers for patent infringement, because they say it is Monsanto that is perpetrating the injury by infecting organic farms with genetically modified seed. Mounting research shows that once released into the environment, the engi- neered seed (a genetically modified organism, or GMO), contami- nates and corrupts naturally reproducing seed for the same crop. For example, soon after Monsanto introduced genetically modified seed for canola, these farmers report that organic canola became virtually extinct, as a result of cross-contamination. Organic corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar beets and alfalfa now face the same fate, as Monsanto continues to develop genetically modified seed for many other crops.


“In the last decade [for example], it’s become nearly impos- sible to ensure that corn seed is free from contamination,” says Peter Waskiewicz, co-founder of Sow True Seed (SowTrueSeed.com). “Morally, it has become necessary to stand up and fight for keeping open-pollinated seed safe and available,” says fellow co- founder, Carol Koury. Waskiewicz adds, “We recognize the basic right of all the


Earth’s people to enjoy a safe, ethical and sovereign food produc- tion and distribution system.” For more information, visit PubPat.org/osgatavmonsantofiled.htm. Petition for GMO labeling at OrganicConsumers.org/Monsanto/ index.cfm. Ask the Department of Justice to step in at Action. FoodDemocracyNow.org/sign/break_up_monsanto. Join local groups that advocate for healthy, organic, locally grown and produced products.


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