Last night I managed to make time to finally sit down and watch “An Inconvenient Truth”, a movie made by former US Deputy President Al Gore. I’d heard it was good and I wasn’t disappointed. Scared, yes, but not dissappointed.
The reason I say scared is because I didn’t realise quite how much of an effect global warming has had and could continue to have in the next few years. So much so, if we don’t do anything to reverse it starting from now, we may not be around much longer.
I don’t wish to blow this out of proportion, but I do urge you to watch the movie which you can purchase from Amazon. Al Gore shows that many governments, but especially the US government believe that economics are more important than our planet. But without our home, even Roman Abramovich’s money is worthless.
Which brings me on to another incovenient truth. The environment secretary has sparked controversy by suggesting that there is no evidence organic food is better than conventionally grown produce.
David Miliband said in an interview with the Sunday Times that organic food was more of a “lifestyle choice that people can make”. Miliband insisted that food grown with the use of pesticides and other chemicals should not be regarded as inferior. “There isn’t any conclusive evidence either way,” he argued.
“It’s only four per cent of total farm produce, not 40 per cent, and I would not want to say that 96 per cent of our farm produce is inferior because it’s not organic.” He added that despite the rise in organic sales being “exciting” for shoppers, they should not think of conventionally-produced food as “second best”.
I just don’t understand the reason why he should suggest this. Has he not seen independent research on this? It clearly shows the differences in nutrient values between organic and non-organic. Does he not know that many are successfully treated for cancer using organic foods without expensive drugs?
So what are his motives? Is he just ignorant? Is he mis-informed? Is he being paid by the big supermarkets? Or is it just an inconvenient truth to suggest that organic is no better so as not to affect the economy of conventional farming? Let me ask you this, how can you enjoy wealth if you are sick all the time? I would like to see Mr Miliband drink a cup of neat pesticide live on TV if it is so harmless.
Have a great week!