Oregon has become somewhat of a focal point for pesticide issues. That is hardly cause for celebration for a state that wears its green credentials on its sleeve. The only hope is that Oregon will respond to the crisis with better regulations, safer policies and a commitment to protecting Oregon from pesticide poisoning.
New pesticide reduction law a significant win
Protecting human health has always been a race between action and disaster. Consider how long society waited to remove lead from gasoline and paint, and the disaster that inaction inflicted upon generations of children and their brain development. As our technologies race ahead of our prudence, we’ve learned that local actions can have universal ramifications, for better or worse.
What’s Up with Brownfields and Environmental Justice?
The City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Lane County are looking for public input in the process of finding, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields. Brownfields are abandoned properties that are not being re-purposed because of the likely presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Brownfield result in neighborhood “blight;” they make people feel unsafe and they drag down property values.
Victory is Sweet!
WE DID IT! The Safe Public Places Bill has passed in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature and will be signed into law this week! What a sweet victory!
No exaggeration! Beyond Toxics researched the issue, wrote the language and fought hard to pass both bills that reduce pesticides in Oregon.
Toxic exposure against our will
Roundup, the herbicide that contains glyphosate, has gotten a lot of international press in the past week. And none of it is good news for us living beings who are exposed to Roundup in our food and in the environment.
Doctors Say Beyond Toxics’ Proposal is a “step in the right direction”
In a letter to the legislature, 15 of our local PeaceHealth pediatricians signed a statement in support of HB 3364, Beyond Toxics’ bill to protect kids, elders, and our fragile ecosystem from pesticides!
Good on our local pediatricians! Let’s applaud their strong and vocal stance to protect children!
City tries to find pesticide substitute Beekeepers and environmentalists say the use of one treatment may kill bees
Beyond Toxics initiated the Save Oregon’s Bees Campaign in 2012 in partnership with local bee keepers. As a result we've been able to provide information to the City of Eugene about how the use of pesticides are harming our pollinators and presenting risks to children and families in parks.
Walking The Path to Environmental Victory in Oregon
I’m writing this from the inner sanctum of the State Capitol building, where in only three days, Beyond Toxics supporters will join me talk with elected leaders to discuss better pest management policy, more tracking and accountability and, as a result, pesticide reduction.
What’s our goal? A healthier world. How are we going to do it? Show up, speak up and work for change.
Social Change Requires Heart
On this Valentine’s Day of affection, I want to express my gratitude to our members and volunteers. Knowing that you care keeps me traveling back and forth to the State Legislature to talk to elected leaders about pesticide use reduction.
"Not in OUR Back Yard!"
It is the annual Martin Luther King Celebration at South Eugene High School, and Beyond Toxics has been invited to speak. It’s 9:00 in the morning, and I’m standing in front of the first of three groups that I will reach out to today. About 20 expressionless faces gawking up at me. Blank stares.
