Category: Health Tips

Dear Friends of ELIANT, On 5th July we received news of two worrying EU decisions: The EU proposes to further extend the approval of Glyphosate applications and permit the unregulated use of the new gene technology. It is clear that the views of the agrochemical lobby – supported by their own studies – have been pushed through while the alarming research findings of independent experts have led to neither a rethink nor a consideration of new approaches. Glyphosate Roundup contains the broad spectrum herbicide Glyphosate which harms not only soil life, the insect world and with it biodiversity, but also poses a danger to the human being – IARC the cancer research agency of the WHO, classes this herbicide as being “probably carcinogenic”. Many studies also confirm that glyphosate can have a toxic effect on the DNA and the nervous system and cause damage to the microbiome of the gut – a key factor of health. Authorisation of the latest gene editing procedures without testing Plants bred using new genetic modification procedures are to be released untested – even though these new procedures are also a deep intervention into the plant genome and risk harming the ecosystem in unforeseeable ways. The possible negative effects of genetically modified plants can only be kept under control through risk assessment, risk management and traceability. Without this, the foundation of scientific seriousness is abandoned. It cannot be replaced by statements to the effect that mutations occurring in nature would be identical to the deliberate, rapid, artificial interventions made by human beings. Who bears the harm and the risk? If this EU proposal is implemented we will all be carrying the ecological risk while the possible health risks in individual cases will be – as we well know – hard to prove. The ones who are demonstrably damaged by this are the organic and biodynamic farmers who can no longer guarantee food that is produced GM free. For consumers it means the loss of a vital and important alternative and with it the freedom to choose their food, the foundation of life. The struggle between approaches The implementation of this proposal by member states would once again mean victory for a way of thinking whose prerogative is to serve the ideology of growth and profit. And this, despite a growing public awareness that a new approach is needed in politics, education and economics which does justice to the complex living relationships of human beings and nature. In this fundamental spiritual debate we are called to ask ourselves: What approach is determining our daily life? What kind of future do we want to bring about for mankind and the earth? Where are we able and willing to change something? In ELIANT we occupy ourselves with these questions on a daily basis in the knowledge that we are not alone. Many others are trying – wherever they may be – to develop this new approach. In this spirit we send warm greetings from the ELIANT team Michaela Glöckler

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Hi everyone.

This is Ayse Göknur Shanal here.

We are fighting for YOUR basic human right on this continent. Water.

The entire continent’s ecology and river system depends on the Great Artesian Basin. Our single largest underground water reservoir. Once it is contaminated by Santos’ Coal Seam Gas activity on Pilliga Forest, there will be no turning back.

Once 850 coal seam gas wells are running, the farmers in Narrabri will lose their water permanently. Your food does not come from Woolworths & Coles. It comes from Narrabri. THIS IS YOUR FOOD.

To inform yourselves watch documentary The Pilliga Project. 34 mins only.

There is nothing more important than WATER on this continent. I hope you understand how serious this situation is.

Time to join the Gomeroi People in the most important fight of our lives.

We must protect our water.

Please share this.

WATER IS LIFE.
Time is of the essence.

Why Biodiversity also promotes Food Security

In a newsletter from Michaela Glöckler of ELIANT:

Dear Friends of ELIANT,

Food security cannot be taken for granted. It is currently being threatened by the Ukraine war and rising inflation. In the longer term however, the threat comes from dwindling biodiversity and climate-induced drought and flooding of the soil.

Why is biodiversity disappearing? The over fertilization of crop lands destroys the rich diversity of the ecosystem. Added to this is the use of pesticides and particularly neonicotinoids in mainstream agriculture. These highly active nerve agent poisons have been used since the 1990s and are in the seeds marketed across the world by the major seed corporations. This nerve poison distributes itself throughout the plant including the pollen and nectar. As a result it is causing massive harm to insects, including the bee population. Studies show that in the period 1989 – 2014 the number of insects has declined by 80%.

Why is the reduction of insects so serious? Fewer insects mean that insect-eating birds have less to feed on; this means fewer and less variety of birds. Less insects also mean that fewer flowers are pollinated and this affects yields. On top of this mono-cultures of empty landscapes – with no hedges, herbs and flowering plants – contribute to the death of insects and the all round loss of biodiversity.

Because of the war and the rising cost of food, there is a great temptation to leave the products of organic and biodynamic agriculture on the shelf in favour of conventionally produced cheaper alternatives. It is however particularly important to be clear about these interrelationships and to consciously buy food from sustainable agriculture, even if it is only a few products per week. Such products come from organic and Demeter farms where no pesticides are used and there are no mono-cultures. If many people do this we will be able collectively to increase the areas of land where biodiversity is growing. This supports future food security, helps nature and hence each one of us.

With hope and warm greetings
on behalf of the ELIANT Alliance

Michaela Glöckler