Zach Bush, triple board certified doctor and founder of Farmers Footprint nonprofit, discusses how to protect ourselves from glyphosate, the history and impact of glyphosate, social political conflict driven by food systems, the path forward for humanity, healing by respecting and reaccepting nature, and his nonprofit, The Farmers Footprint.
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Quick takeaways
Glyphosate, a widely present chemical in our environment, including water and food, poses significant health and environmental risks, leading to high cancer rates in certain regions.
Regenerative agriculture is essential for countering the detrimental effects of glyphosate, restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting a sustainable future.
To minimize exposure to glyphosate, choose organic produce, support local regenerative farms, advocate for stricter regulations, and embrace a mindset of healing and regeneration.
Deep dives
Glyphosate as a Pervasive Toxin
Glyphosate, a chemical commonly found in herbicides like Roundup, is present in our environment at alarming levels. It has infiltrated water systems, air, and rainfall, leading to global saturation. Glyphosate's water solubility allows it to penetrate every part of the plant, making it difficult to avoid. In the United States, the majority of glyphosate spray occurs in the Midwest and Mississippi tributaries, resulting in high cancer rates in regions like Louisiana. Additionally, glyphosate disrupts protein synthesis and damages tight junctions in the gut, leading to chronic inflammation, obesity, and immune dysfunction. Even individuals who actively avoid glyphosate in their diet still have traces of it in their systems. Action is needed to address the pervasive presence of glyphosate and its damaging effects on human health and the environment.
The Urgent Need for Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is essential in countering the detrimental effects of glyphosate and promoting environmental restoration. By practicing regenerative agriculture, we can revitalize soil health, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon dioxide. However, the chemical industry and special interests often obstruct efforts to transition to regenerative practices. Brazil and China currently lead in glyphosate usage, while some European countries, like France, aim to become glyphosate-free by 2025. The restoration of keystone species, such as bison, and the re-greening of North Africa and other regions are crucial for fostering a sustainable future. By embracing our relationship with nature, apologizing for past damage, and shifting towards regenerative practices, we can support the Earth's ability to heal and witness a rapid and beautiful transformation.
Taking Action in a Glyphosate-Contaminated World
Living in a glyphosate-contaminated world requires conscious choices to minimize exposure and protect our health. While it may be challenging to completely avoid glyphosate, individuals can take specific steps to mitigate its impact. These include opting for organic produce, supporting local regenerative farms, and consuming clean, nutrient-dense foods. It is also crucial to advocate for stricter regulations on glyphosate usage, push for transparent labeling, and raise awareness about its harmful effects. Embracing a mindset of healing and regeneration can inspire actions that contribute to personal and planetary well-being, ultimately leading to a future of vibrant biodiversity and abundant life.
The Importance of Regenerative Agriculture and Organic Food
Regenerative agriculture and the growth of the organic food movement are vital for the future of our food systems and the planet. The podcast highlights Russia's goal of becoming the first fully organic country by 2025 and how their shift towards organic practices has led other countries like Germany to outlaw the importation of chemical-intensive North American grains. The speaker emphasizes the need to shift our focus from oil to soil as the most valuable asset and sees a pivot towards distributed food systems as a way for communities to have access to their own soil and food systems. The importance of regenerative agriculture is discussed, which focuses on soil management and the relationship farmers have with the land, rather than just crop production. This holistic approach not only leads to healthier soils and biodiversity but also addresses sociopolitical conflicts and economic control through food systems.
The Urgency for Personal and Collective Transformation
The podcast emphasizes the urgent need for personal and collective transformation in order to address the environmental and social challenges of our time. The speaker highlights the current hospice moment humanity is facing, with only about 60 harvests left due to the degradation of soils and a decline in human fertility. The speaker encourages individuals to reconnect with nature and their indigenous roots, to remember that we are all African in origin, and to let go of fear, guilt, and shame in our relationship with nature. The importance of experiential connections with nature and deep self-reflection is emphasized as the keys to finding a path forward. The speaker believes that we have the opportunity to transform and re-express our human qualities, but it requires a deep remembrance of our connection to nature, a shift in our value system, and a reevaluation of our individual and collective behavior.
On this week’s podcast, Paul has the pleasure of speaking to triple board certified doctor, Zach Bush, who is the founder of Farmers Footprint nonprofit. They deep dive into how to protect ourselves from glyphosate, how to truly connect with nature, and what the path forward may look like for humanity.
*Produced by Mountain Valley Media
00:02:10 The history of glyphosate
00:19:15 The glyphosate timeline
00:24:00 Glyphosate & cancer maps
00:27:08 Social political conflict driven by food systems
00:31:10 The silver lining & the path forward
00:46:15 Healing by respecting & reaccepting nature
01:07:00 Zach’s nonprofit: The Farmer's Footprint
Link to Farmer’s Footprint Giving Tuesday Campaign where people can donate.
