DOUBLE JEOPARDY

What Can We Do to Support Climate Recovery?

Buy More Organic Goodness, Less Corporate Junk Food

Do you buy organic food? Why? Usually, people who buy organic are willing to pay more for either health or environmental reasons.

According to USDA organic standards, "organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.” At its core, organic foods are produced with a “farm” rather than “factory” mentality. They use fewer chemicals and pesticides, resulting in less water, air, and soil pollution. The Organic Trade Association estimates that if all farming were organic, we would eliminate 500 million pounds of pesticide pollution. Since organic farming does not rely on chemicals, more traditional farming methods like crop rotation and composting become necessary, which also support long term soil health, surrounding wildlife, and clean waterways.

Although most organic produce is not necessarily nutritionally healthier than traditional produce, organic products do reduce pesticide exposure and accumulation in the body. Organic meat and dairy products also eliminate exposure to added hormones and do not put you at risk for antibiotic-resistant disease as conventional meat and dairy products do.

The takeaway

Organic food has a number of health and environmental benefits (it also tastes better!); however, it can be expensive and is not always available. If you have the means to choose organic, do so. If you do not have that option, focus on consuming more local, seasonal food whenever possible.
​
Article by Natalie Snow Purinton

Video: When to Buy Organic: A Produce Cheat Sheet from Consumer Reports

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts

Double jeopardy
Two former industry lobbyists are serving as acting directors of two important agencies since the resignation of two original Trump appointees last year (under the pressure of two potential investigations for ethics and finance violations.) Both have been nominated to lead their departments, where they have successfully cut industry oversight and environmental protections. They face two confirmation hearings before the Senate.
Take a minute to contact your senators this week to ask them to oppose the nomination of Andrew Wheeler as EPA chief and David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior.
--Kathy Sherretts

Podcast:
Slate/Hi-Phi Nation: Risky Business (49 min)
How many innocent people should we be allowed to arrest and jail in order to prevent a single dangerous person from being free?

Article:
Second Nexus: ‘Lobbyists Pay the Homeless + Others to Hold Their Place So They Can Get in 1st’ by Evan Brechtel 
Lobbyists frequently pay the homeless to hold their place in line to get into Senate and Congressional hearings. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez retains her capacity to be shocked. 

Podcast:
99 Percent Invisible: National Sword (43 min)
Where does our recycling go? China was one of the biggest buyers of recycling—until last year.

Just for fun:
Reunite Gondwana!
Smithsonian Magazine explains...

This is actually an emergency. We've got to do better with the first two Rs. (Photo is from the BuzzFeed Video below.)

Ready to do more?
 

Read the Indivisible Guide 2.0, a new strategy for a new congress.
 
Check out the weekly action plan from Progressive Action, Global Exchange (PAGE) which mobilizes progressive Americans living overseas.
 
Sign up for the Americans of Conscience Checklist, a weekly action list that also provides encouragement and good news.
 
Learn more at ClimateRecovery.org, a new group organized by members of American Resistance Sevilla and other community activists. Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact [email protected].
​