M6.4 Industrial Farming

THE VANISHING OF THE BEES

          The documentary film The Vanishing of the Bees was a poignant portrayal of the dissonance between our modern lifestyles from our origins and relationship with nature. It portrays how modern societies have lost touch with their souls by being mindless of decisions and actions, such as pesticide use that has affected every ecosystem to the most minute level. In ancient societies, bees and their behaviors were considered prophetic. The current vanishing of bee populations is indicative of an imbalance or disruption in nature caused by human industrialization. To restore a balanced ecosystem, it is imperative to heed the signs of animals such as the bees. It reminds us of our interdependence in this world. Who would have thought throughout human civilizations, across oceans and continents; societies and communities depended on bees...the pollinators. It was disheartening to see the tragic vanishing of the bees and the plight of the bee keepers who have special relationships with the bees. The American bee keepers in the documentary argue that there needs to be hardcore scientific evidence to present to the government in order to have systemic pesticides banned, but isn't there evidence enough with millions of bee hives that were lost to CDC. What happened in French bee communities in the 1990s is evidence enough. It was also appalling to know about the negligence of the EPA on this issue. 

DIRT

        In the documentary film Dirt, the life producing properties of dirt were portrayed across varying perspectives, continents and oceans...from New York City to Africa to India. It is ironic, because when I was younger, dirt had such a negative connotation. Dirt was a derogatory term associated with poverty and disease. Just like the urban students in New York City portrayed in Dirt, when I was a teen I had the privilege of participating in an urban environmental program in school. In this program, urban students like me had the opportunity to participate in plant restoration programs in the Marin Headlands and Golden Gate National Park where we could get our hands in the dirt and connect to the natural resources in our environment. This allows us to become more exposed to nature and to learn to respect it rather than the street side curb. It aroused interest in working with my hands and staying out of gang related activities. It saved me from a life of crime and provided a therapeutic distraction. It was interesting to learn about the difference of fertile dirt and stripped dirt. The portrayals of infertile dirt from the Sahara dessert only show that limited resources leads to social turmoil. We need to foster better stewardship of our land and our resources...and teach our children to respect the dirt rather than fear it or take it for granted. 

FACTORY FARMING

         According to data from U.S. Department of Agriculture organized by the non-profit educational group on factoryfarmmap.org, there are moderate and extreme factory farm systems in Solano, Marin, Santa Cruz and Fresno counties all of which surround the Bay Area. Although I grew up seeing factory farms being condemned in social media, I never imagined that it occurred so close to home, especially in the Bay Area. As I drive to work along the highway 280 towards VA Palo Alto, I see "happy" California dairy cows grazing along the rolling hills. Now I wonder are they factory farmed too and are they really happy? Factory farming is inhumane and disgusting and only contributes to the rise of disease. In the past I attempted to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, but now I only limit myself to the consumption of dairy products, fish and poultry. I believe that everything has a mood. 
       

COMPOSTING

         Because the city of Daly City distributed paper information via mail on proper waste disposal practice, my parents are better educated and are able to practice proper waste management. We do

do practice composting our food waste and biodegradable items into the green bin that the city of Daly City has provided every household. It is an effective and resourceful way to manage waste and foster stewardship of the land. It is helpful to be supported by the city or county for such practices.