Monsanto is the root of all evil

Many know of the green revolution, but few know of the corrupt system it set out to create....

The Green revolution of the 1960s helped the developing world tackle its famine crisis as germplasm was made available as a public good. With the help of CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research), research and development utilised investment of modern cultivars, causing yields to increase in India, for example, by as much as 50%.  However, corruption in Africa, during the same period, prevented proper investment in the war-torn continent and it is yet to realise its agricultural potential or receive the relevant aid it so drastically needs.

The creation of Plant Breeders Rights in 1964 eroded any scope for expansion in the green revolution. These 'rights' introduced formal ownership and legal protection of crop varieties and enabled companies to benefit from royalties. As a form of Intellectual Property Rights over biological diversity, a gene revolution has occurred amongst the elitist, global and private agribusinesses.

Using market solutions to environmental problems,  TRIPS of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was introduced in 1994, placing private commercial and international trade above food security, with patents leading to higher prices for the poor. As patents can be granted outside the country of origin, they counter the provisions of the 1992 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). TRIPS forces all countries to accept patents even though there may be no scientific basis, can be unethical and potentially plagiarises indigenous rights.

Biopiracy (commercial property for profit) is also an associated issue that has a long-standing history. One of the aims of the CBD was to prevent this through fair and equitable sharing of benefits obtained from genetic resources. However benefit sharing was not required by TRIPS and monopolies have continued to emerge. Furthermore, the CBD itself limits distribution of free germplasm as Prior Informed Consent restricts trade whilst the onus on national sovereignty ignores indigenous communities in decision making.

In response to these issues, a Global Plan of Action was adopted at the Leipzig Conference on Plant Genetic Resources in 1996. Five years later, a legally binding plant treaty (ITPGFA) was signed and came into force on 29th June 2004. The multi-lateral system covers 64 major crops and allows fair and equitable benefit sharing through Material Transfer Agreements. This, for example, has allowed countries to research and use germplasm for the benefit of the donor countries that lack funding or capacity. Research allows for the future preservation of genetic resources, the ultimate source of biological diversity.  These agreements have also helped countries to revoke unfair patents (ie Tumeric in India) and allow for the collective management of common goods and its sustainable use for the future.

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HOWEVER... Monsanto, one company whom I have great distaste for, manage to wriggle their way round the system. They monopolise the seed market and are the leading manufacturer of GM products (i.e bovine growth hormone, roundup-ready soya and climate ready crops). I could probably write a whole book on their misdemeanour's but I do not want to waist good ink on them to be frank (if you want to know more, look no further than the wonderful WiKi). Although they comply to MTA, once they have the seed, they simply alter its DNA and the new sproglet can be patented.

Controlling all rights to the seed, and often the herbicides that have to be applied to them, Monsanto then distribute their seedlings all over the world. Yet, Monsanto often fail to tell the farmers that they are not allowed to replant the seed after harvest. Thus, farmers are locked into the system of having to continuously by more of Monsanto's product. Herbicides and fertilisers are notoriously expensive and often unsustainable if not applied correctly with precision techniques, that the developing world simply don't have. Even more frustrating is that not only are farmers forking out money on Monsanto products, if they don't comply with their policies i.e. are found to be in possession of a replanted patent (even if by accident or by wind blown transport) there is a high chance that they will be sued for every remaining penny until they go bust and an agribusiness moves in.

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At present, the potential risk to biodiversity by using GM is currently too great and we must instead look to improve naturally occurring varieties. 'Golden rice', for example, has merit in that it supplements those with vitamin A defficiency. However, surely we should be looking to make it easier for those communities to access food with naturally occurring vitamin A: such as fruit, veg and meat?

350 Challenge

Green School, Bali. 

Prior to my discovery of Bali's green school, I was made aware of the 350 challenge. It is a way of creating awareness of the climate movement and shows that everyone's individual actions can really amount to revolutionary change. Each participant that adds the 350 challenge badge to their blog has 350lb of carbon offset, the equivalent of two weeks without driving (but don't think this now allows you to have a guilt-free conscience the next time you take a road trip). To date, over 3,900 people participate. This equates to 1.365 million pounds, or 619 tonnes, of carbon. Not bad going don't you think?

The '350' is in reference to the upper limit of ppm carbon that can be sustained in the atmosphere before a tipping point is reached and runaway climate change ensues. Bill McKibben was the academic and environmentalist to first make this statement and a lot of research since has developed upon his work to assess the finer details of the feedbacks involved and the intricacies in the climate system. However, the overriding point stands that their is a limit to the amount of additional carbon the atmosphere can tolerate. 

In order to spread awareness on a more global scale, the 350.org grassroots movement established the 10/10/10 day of action, involving 7000 events across 188 countries. Word of mouth soon encouraged other organisations to follow suit and that day also became the global day of action (1010global). Across the world, people prepared low-carbon meals, or companies installed solar panels or wind turbines, to help do their bit in the 'fight against climate change'.  

In Bali, the Green school installed Biopores - one-meter-deep holes in the ground, filled with organic matter and compost. When the rain falls, the organic material absorbs the water, decomposes and encourages root growth, in turn increasing soil fertility. 

Photo source: Flickr

We have a thing or two to learn from the Balinese

At school I often found it difficult concentrating as the monotony of curriculum-based learning became a bit tedious. I only really remember a few teachers that truly inspired, and they were often the ones that encouraged me to get out and experience the natural wonders this world has to offer, or used creative ways that gave practical application to often confusing theory.

My science teacher in year 10, Mrs. Blackburn, used to use jelly and slices of bread to explain the theory of tectonics and was forever taking us out onto the tennis court to explain some sort of experiment. Although her name escapes me, my A-level Geography teacher deserves equal recognition as if it wasn't for her, taking us onto the hills surrounding campus in gale-force winds, I would never have remembered what the difference was between a cumulonimbus and a stratocumulus.

I find that we are becoming evermore detached from the practical applications of the theories we are taught and learning, through reading the 'core textbook' repeatedly, is somewhat counterintuitive. Getting back to nature opens the mind to creativity and intuition and was partly why I decided to choose a degree in Environmental Science. Field trips and practical experiments were crucial to my learning and although not everyone excels under these circumstances, it allows for the development of creative thought. Throughout the centuries, ideas founded by great philosophers, alchemists and academics have often been due to eureka moments experienced whilst looking to the stars, or staring at rocks, or indeed taking a bath.

I am currently reading Animate Earth: Science, Intuition and Gaia, by Stephen Harding. His insightful rhetoric shows how 'Gaian science can help us to develop a sense of connectedness with the more-than-human world'. One can integrate intuition, sensing and feeling into scientific analysis and I believe this is only possible if teaching allows this to happen through the abolishment of the standard curriculum.

I have obviously taken an interest in Bali as I will be spending several months there, but I was recommended by John Rowley, founder of Planet 21 (People&thePlanet), to visit the Green School as it may appeal to me.

Opening my browser to the Green school website, I was immediately absorbed in their mission. With a statement such as this (see below), I knew I had stumbled on something special. It is a school of my childhood dreams. A utopia that combines beauty and passion, learning and experience. Reflective of what Stephen Harding mentions in his opening chapters, this new approach is reconnecting students to Anima Mundi. An approach I feel imperative in our current ecological crisis, this way of thinking is somewhat primiative but is essential to broaden the mind and allow for a sustainable future. We have a thing or two to learn from the Balinese, and it starts with education.

"Empowering global citizens and green innovators who are inspired to take responsibility for the sustainability of the world."

General Curriculum, Green School, Bali.


Although my time will be mainly spent working with rice farmers, if I have the opportunity I will definitely be paying the Green school a visit.

Application Successful!

As mentioned, I am spending 6 months pack-packing through SE Asia this year. I am going by myself and the prospect is somewhat daunting. I only have 7 weeks to go and don't think I can ever prepare myself mentally for what I will experience. However this anxiety adds to the sense of adventure and I know this trip will be life changing. It means I will be away from my loved ones and in a continent I have never explored. Yet this journey needs to be done. I have waited my whole life for this moment.

As I believe so strongly in environmental stewardship, I think it only right that I volunteer my time whilst travelling to help out some good causes. It has taken lots of hard graft but I have finally managed to secure a place working with a local NGO in.... BALI!!!

They work with locals to help educate them about dry rice farming and permaculture, which are sustainable farming practices. Since Bali's green revolution, they have been using unsustainable amounts of fertiliser that are not only expensive, but can leach nutrients from the soil and pollute water courses. I shall have the great privilege of working with this grass-roots organisation and learn invaluable knowledge about sustainable development.

Novice - bare with me

So I am new to this thing they call a blog. However I have decided to start one manly for selfish reasons. I love to trawl the internet to learn about the latest news on all things eco and ethical but as my capacity to store new information is pretty limited I thought it best to have a permanent record of my findings. I am also setting off on a 6 month journey through SE Asia in April and thought it only fair that I keep this only diary as a way of letting my loved ones know I am still alive.

I am not the most eloquent in my wording so don't expect great things, but I hope you can enjoy my blog and share it with others. Here it goes...