Yes, You Are One too

On Saturday, October 12 across dozens of countries around the world, in hundreds of cities, thousands of people came together to demonstrate their concerns about the actions of one company. A single company. And where in Australia can I read about this feat? The local online paper of Margaret River, it seems, a small town in southern Western Australia. And Facebook. There I can find pictures of protestors from: all across America, Canada, England, Holland, France, Germany, South Africa, India, Japan, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Portugal, Chile, New Zealand, Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Also online I can read about it at websites from around the world too, except for those here in Australia.

Why have the major newspapers here chosen not to report on this event? I wonder if there  exists a fear of retribution from this huge and greedy company. Fear of something. What? I can't imagine why else there wouldn't be celebrations of the actions and efforts of so many people from so many places. Against a single company! Why aren't papers looking into this event, and trying to answer why would so many people come together? What is it about this company that inspires such action?

I won't try to break down their track record. They are surrounded by so much controversy that even scientists on or not on their payroll would have trouble convincing you to support them or not. But I do know that after reading reports, hearing scientists speak, studying the effects of GM foods on animals, people and the environment, that there is a problem with what they are up to. I have no interest in an argument or discussion with you; I did my research and made up my own mind. And so, it seems, have thousands of other people around the world.

Even though my role in this world is currently limited to immediate family and friends, I still occasionally get that roll of the eye when I talk about being an environmentalist. Hear this now: you are all environmentalists. Yes, you journalists too. Don't believe me? Who likes the feeling of sunshine on their skin on a spring morning? Who likes going camping? Who likes spending the day on the beach? Who has a holiday house? A boat? A jetski? A canoe? A caravan? A tent? Who loves the sight and smell of flowers blossoming in spring? Who loves the smell when they enter a forest? Or the spring thaw of the earth in a country that freezes over? The sight of green when they get outside the city limits? The beautiful array of fresh food at a market? Watching animals do their thing at zoos or how lucky how about in the wild? Going fishing? Hiking? Biking? Skiing? Strolling? Rolling? Swimming? Where do we know is good for kids to spend time? Enjoy your food/wine/coffee/tea? Love fresh air? Looking at a view of mountains, water, islands, trees? Ever smell your food before buying?

Face it. You are an environmentalist too. Does this mean you should go march too? If you like. Or it could mean it's time to take an interest in what's going on with what's most important to you, otherwise companies like Monsanto and the slew of politicians in their pockets (and newspapers?) will remove nature from your food/wine/coffee/tea and replace little bits with science projects. That may be okay with you, but it would be nice to have a choice. And some control. Monsanto's executives have been reported to state that the company goal is to control 100% of the commercial seed supply in the world.  All of them genetically modified and patented. I mustn't get started or you'll give up on my blog. Just listen. Not to me alone, but to the thousands of people who on Saturday banded together to demonstrate that the world needs to take note. Please, take note! Especially you Australian journalists.