Do we really need pesticides? - Fernan Pérez-Gálvez

Annually, we shower over 5 billion pounds of pesticides across the Earth to control insects, unwanted weeds, funguses, rodents, and bacteria that may threaten our food supply. But is it worth it, knowing what we do about the associated environmental and public health risks? Fernan Pérez-Gálvez weighs the pros and cons of pesticides.

Lesson by Fernan Pérez-Gálvez, animation by Mighty Oak.

[marylandman]

who ever made the animation, need a medal, so awesome!

[julio_sacomori]

While we keep growing monoculture crops, which are used more for feeding animals than to our consumption, we still going to need those substances. There are some strategies already been used, like agroforestry and biodynamic agriculture which are viable, but not interesting for the people who make big money. We have enough lands in the world to switch the production to small scales, priorizing familiar agriculture which are compatible with that alternative ways and are already our primary source of food, but we still need to finish with land concentration. (Sorry for grammatical mistakes, but I'm still learning english and using this text as practice)

[hyacinth]

So long term we're strengthening pests, bacteria and fungi while weakening plants with monoagriculture. As well as degrading soil with mass overproduction. So much food goes to waste. There's gotta be a better way.

[DavidDiez]

When I worked at the EPA in 2007 and 2008, I worked at the office regulating pesticides, which at least then was the biggest section of the EPA. I'm grateful for the folks who are still there regulating chemical companies to ensure we all stay healthy. I remember my boss there regularly worked 60 hour weeks (with no overtime pay).

[levohs]

"1 million people died of famine"
*cheerful music plays in background*

[ahmadparampam]

As a young farmer who practices natural farming, I can say you can make your own safe pesticide from herbs and other plant without need to add some synthetic chemical.

For example you can use greater galangal which contain some anti-fungi effect and "Dioscorea hispida" to beat off planthopper. There is so much alternatives than using corporation-made pesticides

[JoshSideris]

I remember in elementary school they taught us about pest resistance. They didn't want to say "rapid pest evolution", so instead they taught us that some bugs have a "will to live" and will consume crops sprayed with pesticide even though it tastes bad to them.

[karweng]

Do we really need comments that say they are early?

[lostinbago]

The claims that modern chemical are safer and the damage is in the past is highly reminiscent of exactly the same claims in the past about the value of arsenic or mercury for STDs or DDT.
I'm glad the narrator put my mind to rest knowing that now smarter and we know better and can control the dangers (sarcasm intended)

[ZetterStudios]

From watching this it seems the most logical option would be to ban pesticides unless an emergency is about to occur. For instance if a plague is going to kill a major crop than use the pesticides but otherwise leave it alone. Doing this would stop the evolved immunities and thus make what is used more effective.

[organicchemistry]

Some farms no longer use pesticides.
It's a matter of decentralisation to make industrial agriculture obsolete.
Like using the non-circulating hydroponics systems on a smaller scale that fits in your room

[toddhoward]

could you guys do a video on how electrical wires was made and how it works like charging our phones please? unless you guys already did that

[joshdoyle]

I don't know who went to a library for this one, but it looks like they didn't find their way to all the relevant departments. At the time all the journalists involved attributed the lethality of the Irish Famine specifically to exporting the rest of the food to England. Especially English Journalists.

[popsicle]

Could they make a video explaining eutrophication as a second part to this video? Many srudents have been struggling with the concept of eutrophication in school.

[DonNobyel]

Today, I learned that the plural form of fungus is funguses.

[cloudunknown]

0:37 Isn't it "Fungi"? Or is this an Octopi kind of situation

[lonewolfnmoon]

DRONES equipped with lasers to kill mosquitoes etc. haha I love science fiction

[TheLastLogicalOne]

Monocultural agriculture is a perfect pest breeding ground. mix it up a bit.

[sisi]

I have a garden at home that grows vegetables to eat and I never use pesticides, even ones that are supposed "natural." I just kill the bugs by hand since bugs aren't resistant to the human hand

[srijandey]

I really watch their videos because of the beginning and end music ...so soothing 😌