Essay On Towards Environment And Economic Justice

Green revolution was the hip words then from the corporations and governments that lured the people especially the poor and marginalized races all over the world. Today, dissents from social movements call for the stoppage of this green revolution because it failed to address its main purpose which was to provide adequate food for all. Activists from United States of America, Asia, Latin America, and migrant workers are condemning this program because it only served for the interests of agro-chemical corporations leaving poor and marginalized races in extreme poverty, environment destruction and health deterioration.
During the conceptual stage of the green revolution, the statement of governments and corporations is that “Growing population and urbanization require higher volume of food production”. Thus, contract growers of genetically modified corn, rice, wheat, and many other commercial varieties rise. The massive use of chemical inputs started. At first, it was joyous for the farmers to reap their wanton produce but it only lasted for few years. In 1962, Rachel Carson’s book entitled Silent Spring criticized the massive used of pesticide specifically DDT for its ecological harm and this was brought to national attention. In this book, Carson connected the destruction of environment due to agro-chemicals to the prevailing illness of the people specially those who are involve in production. Fortunately, DDT was banned in the US in 1972.
In Asia, farmers of GM corn are trapped in the cycle of debt for the expensive chemical inputs needed for growing the said corn. Many studies have proven that growing corn never brought economic upheaval to the poor peasants. It only brought economic and environment disaster. But movements today are growing stronger from the ranks of the poor peasants, scientists, academe, researchers and environment activists. They continue to advocate, forged solidarity with other races affected until environment and economic justice is achieved. Little victories have started coming like the banning of GM eggplant in the Philippines and the banning of all GM products in India.