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Organic is definitely not better for the environment than non-organic, by default: >Not only are organic pesticides not safe, they might actually be worse than

Organic is definitely not better for the environment than non-organic, by default: >Not only are organic pesticides not safe, they might actually be worse than the ones used by the conventional agriculture industry. Canadian scientists pitted 'reduced-risk' organic and synthetic pesticides against each other in controlling a problematic pest, the soybean aphid. They found that not only were the synthetic pesticides more effective means of control, the organic pesticides were more ecologically damaging, including causing higher mortality in other, non-target species like the aphid's predators. Of course, some organic pesticides may fare better than these ones did in similar head-to-head tests, but studies like this one reveal that the assumption that natural is better for the environment could be very dangerous.[0] --- [0]: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogsscientificamericancomscience-sushi20110718mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogs...

struppi 9y ago
I think your "by default" is a bit misleading here. This is one paper, comparing pesticides for one pest in one crop. But I guess you are right - Organic is not always better. But, AFAIK, at least here in Austria, buying organic will at least improve your chance that you get some sustainably-produced food - and animals that are kept in a somewhat species-adequate environment... But thanks for making me question my assumptions ;)
azinman2 9y ago
Non-organic farming typically involves a lot of petro-based fertilizers being used that deposit large run offs of nitrogen, ammonia, and other goodies that “burn” the soil and run off into streams which then causes many other issues.
- bryanlarsen 9y ago
  Organic farming typically involves a lot of manure-based fertilizers being used that deposit large run offs of nitrogen, ammonia, potassium, E. coli and other goodies that “burn” the soil and run off into streams which then causes many other issues such as algae blooms, water poisoning, et cetera.

struppi 9y ago

I think your "by default" is a bit misleading here. This is one paper, comparing pesticides for one pest in one crop. But I guess you are right - Organic is not always better. But, AFAIK, at least here in Austria, buying organic will at least improve your chance that you get some sustainably-produced food - and animals that are kept in a somewhat species-adequate environment... But thanks for making me question my assumptions ;)

azinman2 9y ago

Non-organic farming typically involves a lot of petro-based fertilizers being used that deposit large run offs of nitrogen, ammonia, and other goodies that “burn” the soil and run off into streams which then causes many other issues.

bryanlarsen 9y ago
Organic farming typically involves a lot of manure-based fertilizers being used that deposit large run offs of nitrogen, ammonia, potassium, E. coli and other goodies that “burn” the soil and run off into streams which then causes many other issues such as algae blooms, water poisoning, et cetera.