Lately I’ve been giving more thought to the likelihood that humankind might be on a mission of self-destruction. The genetic mutation of foods, fish, and animals; aerial spraying of dangerous chemicals that have killed billions of honey bees; artificial super intelligence; deliberate engineering of a pandemic flu; and global warming are some acts that come to mind.
In recent weeks we have all heard of the dangers of the Zika virus. This virus has been around since the 1950s in Africa and Asia and more recently in the U.S. The news media spread fear into people of the dangers of this virus and in particular to pregnant women. The response was aerial bombardment, spraying of cities and towns all across the southeastern U.S. In a blog post I read, the author referenced a study that found the following: “The researchers specifically evaluated risk of autism in relation to exposure to pyrethroids, yes, the same pesticide now being used to carpet bomb Zika-carrying mosquitoes. The study shows that exposure of mothers to pyrethroids during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with an 87% increased risk of autism for their child. – See more at: http://www.drperlmutter.com/pesticide-zika-carrying-mosquitos-lesser-two-evils/#sthash.FPgFHJKM.dpuf
Something that is near and dear to me is the effect that this nonsensical spraying is having on honey bees. Bees help pollinate 1 in every 3 foods that we consume. Some of the foods we would lose if bees go extinct include apples, onions, strawberries, pears, avocados, celery, coffee, lemons, limes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc. The list is long yet nothing is seemingly being done to prevent the decline of honey bees. In a recent Zika spraying incident in South Carolina, millions of bees died as a result. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/09/01/like-its-been-nuked-millions-of-bees-dead-after-south-carolina-sprays-for-zika-mosquitoes/
Global warming is another huge issue that even some leading government figures deny. This summer was the driest ever recorded in the Boston area and August was the warmest month in Boston’s recorded history. Where I live on the North Shore, I experienced several farms leaving acres of corn to rot in the fields rather than water them. It was more expensive to water the corn than it would have been had they continued to do so and sell their crop. One local farm, Appleton Farms in Hamilton/Ipswich, had to ask their CSA (community supported agriculture) members not to come to the farm for their weekly pick up because their crops were dying in the fields. Additionally, Appleton Farms are planning on digging a deeper well for irrigation purposes as they project that these hot summers are just the beginning of global warming. Driving along Route 128 in Waltham last week, I observed the reservoir was very low and I could see islands in the reservoir that were never visible before. My hometown has had a mandatory water ban for several months.
All of these things are having a combined effect on our environment, our way of life, and ultimately our health. At times it is hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am hopeful that one will appear. A growing awareness of all this foolishness appears to be rising and more people are demanding change. One must hope this change comes sooner rather than later.