Title: No pesticide use week celebrated throughout Asia
This December, different communities and grassroots organisations all over Asia will celebrate "No Pesticide Use Week" as part of the ongoing struggle for a pesticide-free world. The week will focus on highlighting the dangers of highly hazardous pesticides, advancing healthier alternatives and increasing awareness on corporate accountability over health and environmental poisoning. On December 3, we commemorate the tragic chemical industry disaster in Bhopal, India while on December 10 we celebrate the International Human Rights Day. Fora, workshops, cultural shows and street plays, dialogues on biodiversity-based ecological agriculture, and street actions will be held in India, Sri Lanka, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and many more ….
Pesticides Harm Lives; Eliminate Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Our families are dear to us. We care for our elderly as well as ensure a better and brighter future for our children. These last few decades, more and more become sicker - from cancers to birth defects, and reproductive disorders. Sound science has established strong links between these diseases and pesticides. Yet, without question, we continue to use highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) at homes, on our pets, in public areas, and in growing our food. Know more about HHPs.
Simple Actions We Can Do
Here are some simple steps that we can do during "No Pesticide Use Week" to help build a better future for our children.
Join groups. Contact local groups celebrating "No Pesticide Use Week" and participate or support their activities. Know more about HHPs.
Organise small activities. Distribute information materials in your community or neighborhood, at school or even the local market or store, have a book reading or seminar workshop, write letters to your local government to support use of non-chemical alternatives --- the sky's the limit on what you can do! The simplest things do count.
Encourage governments to support paraquat listing. Some paraquat formulations have been recommended for listing in the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent. Start your local online petition or write your parliament or congress, and the ministers on health, environment or agriculture. Know more.
Support healthier alternatives. Support farmers who grow organic produce as much as possible. Also, there are many ways to help control mosquitoes, cockroaches, head lice, ticks or fleas, and unwanted garden weeds without endangering our child's health. Encourage local markets to stock on organics and biological alternatives. Better yet, make your own pest control products!.
Connect with the global community. Do let us know what you will be doing. Sharing our experiences is one way we build a global momentum to protect our children's health. Share here.
