I was aghast to hear — this morning on Earth Day 2009 — a lively “debate” about my city’s ban on chemical lawn treatments. Like many progressive cities, my own resolved to declare a by-law to ensure that homeowners stopped using pesticides and fertilizers that were dangerous for the health of themselves, their neighbors, our watershed, our soil, our air, the animals and bugs that make their homes near us and so on down the line.
Makes sense, right? The average suburban home uses six times the hazardous chemicals per acre as conventional farming. Pesticides have been implicated in cancers, lowered fertility, and other reproductive issues in people and wildlife.
That should be the end of the debate, no? You would assume that most homeowners would be delighted to be informed of the dangers of these chemical pesticides and waste no time in detoxing their lawns and gardens.
But that would be too…optimistic. Too…common sensical. And, far too often in the name of civil liberties, we want the freedom to continue to poison ourselves and those around us.
It’s insane. Just how important is it to have a dandelion-free lawn? How crucial to have a yard that allows for nothing out of place? It’s akin to our worship of youth and sculpted faces and bodies. Frankly, I lean toward unkempt and healthy, myself.
So…a local gardening store owner — Springbank Garden Centre, to be exact — called in to the radio show to incite listeners to “cheat”. He thinks it unreasonable to expect homeowners to stop using these pesticides when golf courses and farms are entitled under the bylaw to continue their use.
Huh?? Sure it’s nuts that golf courses and farms are given the green light on something that is recognized as unhealthy for people and our planet. But does that make it any less critical that homeowners do their part? It’s like refusing to quit smoking because other people continue to puff with inpunity.
It’s such a ludicrous argument that I’m rendered incredulous. This same guy recommended homeowners go over the border to Port Huron to continue to purchase these chemicals.
I can only hope that other listeners were as indignant as I. And that they’ll make the smart, healthy choice — if they haven’t already.

To all those who think that little acts don’t make a difference, it’s important to look at how those “little acts” add up.
Check out this article on the incredible impact of eschewing meat just one day a week:
http://www.alternet.org/water/134650/the_startling_effects_of_going_vegetarian_for_just_one_day/

In the April issue of Canadian Living is an article, written by me, based on my family’s 30-day consumer detox, during which we tried to avoid any purchases that weren’t considered necessary — ie. perishable foods and medicine.
You can read it in the magazine (at your library, doctor’s office or hair salon — please don’t buy it. It’s not necessary.)
I received this letter in response:

LOL. I was about to write a comment that reflected my disgust with this artical. Then I saw the dates of the comments, April 1. You got me. And saying that your “Husband” was in finance was the cherry on top, seeing as people in finance these days are seen as the very people who caused the current “economic downturn”. Playing the part of the Stepford wife was genius. A whole 30 days and you couldn’t even do it. So close. And the longing for designer cloths but writing a cheque instead…it brought a tear to me eye. I guess thats why it’s called charity.
You really don’t get it, do you? Your “expeariment”, that you failed, is how most Canadians live. Try raising your kids on less then $28,000 (gross) a year for 15 years then write about it. My Mother did it by her self. Tell me, in your 30 day stint did you only have potatoes for dinner because they were $.99 for 10 lbs? When your family has to do that twice a week inorder to make ends meet then you can write about “living on nothing”. Until then you should really just stay inside your bubble and keep your mouth closed. Most people live off of what your husband pays in golf memberships. But they don’t get to write it off as a tax deduction. I don’t care that you and your husband make six figures. Good for the two of you. but YOU shouldn’t “try living like the little people” just so you can make your deadline. You have offended many people. Thank you for reinforcing our image of “The Haves”.

While I take issue with some of the letter writer’s assumptions (Stepford wife? M’mmmm….don’t think so), it has made me wonder if my social experiment, aimed at making us all more aware of how many meaningless purchases we make, seemed an arrogant comment about our lives of privilege.
I’d love to hear others’ comments. Please weigh in with your thoughts…