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For Immediate Release

Contact: Jay Feldman, Beyond Pesticides, [email protected], 202.255.4296

The 2022 National Forum Series Launches Beyond Pesticides’ Campaign to Eliminate Fossil Fuel-Based Pesticide Use Within the Next Decade

First Virtual Seminar in a Series of Three Takes Place on September 15

Washington, DC, September 9, 2022—Beyond Pesticides’ virtual 2022 National Forum Series marks the beginning of the environmental nonprofit’s campaign to eliminate fossil fuel-based pesticide use within the next decade, putting a stop to toxic emissions, exposure, and residues, while embracing an organic systems approach that is holistic and respectful of life. The first seminar will take place September 15 and focus on public health threats. On October 12, the second virtual seminar will address biodiversity collapse. In November, the third seminar will discuss the climate emergency. The overarching goal is to meet the health, biodiversity, and climate crises with a path for a livable future.

According to Jay Feldman, Beyond Pesticides’ executive director, “Our annual gathering of scientists, medical doctors, environmentalists, press, consumers, and others is the perfect opportunity to announce our campaign to put an end to the use of toxic, fossil fuel-based pesticides within 10 years.” He explains, “We are out of time. The need for carefully defined sustainable land management and building and household practices and products is urgent.”

Forum Series Examines Problems, Identifies Solutions

The Health Seminar on September 15, 1-2:30 pm EST, features a medical doctor who has both treated and studied the effects of toxic chemical exposure, with a focus on pesticides, throughout our daily lives. Claudia Miller, M.D. provides a framework for understanding the dire health implications of the current dependency on pesticides and toxic chemicals and the failure of the regulatory system to fully evaluate and control for the range of adverse effects and complexity of their interactions. Dr. Miller is professor emerita at the University of Texas San Antonio. Her work has documented what is called Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT), which captures the disease process and range of nervous system symptoms that individuals develop because of low-level chemical exposures, raising connections to a wide range of public health diseases. Dr. Miller is the coauthor of numerous peer-reviewed publications, and the professionally acclaimed book, Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. Dr. Miller’s current research involves the relationship between synthetic chemical exposures and disruption of the gastrointestinal microbiome.

This seminar’s discussion on the solution will be led by indigenous farmer Kaipo Kekona, who is working in Hawai’i to regenerate and sustain traditional farming production on former sugarcane land. Mr. Kekona manages a 12.5 acre-farm site for the Ku'ia Agricultural Education Center in the ahupua'a of Ku'ia on Legacy Lands of Keli'i Kulani (foothills of the West Maui Mountains). Critical to the mission for the site is to not only reclaim space as a native historical food property, but also introduce to the community the practices that encourage a healthier food system and the soil health that forms the foundation of productive land management.

The Biodiversity Seminar on October 12 starts with the fact that that life depends on biodiversity. According to the Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, produced by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES),  “Harmful economic incentives and policies associated with unsustainable practices of fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture (including fertilizer and pesticide use), livestock, forestry, mining and energy (including fossil fuels and biofuels) are often associated with land/sea-use change and overexploitation of natural resources, as well as inefficient production and waste management.” In this eye-opening session, you'll hear from Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi, PhD, Professor and Director, Institute for Research in Natural Resources, Agroecology and Rural Development, Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro, Argentina, and member of the Secretariat for IPBES and a contributor to its landmark IPBES report

The IPBES report endorses the transition away from pesticide-laden agricultural practices and toward sustainable agriculture to meet the challenges of protecting and enhancing biodiversity. Organic land management systems that eliminate fossil fuel-based toxic pesticides and fertilizers makes a substantial contribution in addressing the dire threat to biodiversity. You'll hear directly from Bob Quinn, PhD, an organic farmer and miller with Montana Flour and Grains in Big Sandy, Montana, who will share his personal insights on the value of organic food production and land management.

Details on the third seminar focusing on the climate emergency will be announced soon.

Registration is complimentary. For complete details and to register, visit the conference website. 

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About Beyond Pesticides

Beyond Pesticides is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C, which works with allies in protecting health and the environment with science, policy, and action to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Visit www.beyondpesticides.org for more information about its programs, resources, and how to get involved.