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.