Hello Everyone

Why is it important to educate our children about the importance of sustainability? The answer lies in the fact that we all need to be better informed about the impact of global warming, climate change, peak oil and food security. And the best place to start is within our own community and especially through our daily actions. Who better to hold us to account than our own children?

I remember a time ten years ago when one of my daughters returned from a year's student exchange in Austria, her knowledge of recycling was extraordinary. Austria and Germany were way ahead of us in Australia with their commitment and actions in recycling. For quite some time until I learned, my daughter would often say 'Mum! You should be recycling that – don't throw it in the ordinary rubbish.' Eventually I learnt to be more discerning and accountable for my recycling. And recycling was only one area where her thinking was far more progressive than mine. Her experience of farmers' markets, cycling and eco-literacy in general were admirable.

We have the chance now to learn more for ourselves and to support the work of the teachers in our community. All over the world people are taking a great interest in what they can do to live more sustainably permaculture courses, books and seminars are becoming increasingly frequent.

Why is it important to grow as much of our own food organically?  Here are  some facts to get us thinking. A report in the Journal of Complimentary Medicine in 2001 pointed out that US and UK Government statistics show a decline in trace minerals of up to 76% in fruit and vegetables over the period 1940 to 1991 – we can assume that this would also relate to Australia. The report examined data from the US Department of Agriculture which showed that over the entire 20th century the average mineral content of cabbage, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes declined from 400mg to less than 50mg. Declines were observed in protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. The declines were significant e.g. 6% in the case of protein and 38% for the B vitamin riboflavin.

The UK publication Food Magazine analysed milk and concluded that the iron content had fallen 62%, magnesium was down 21% and the copper content had disappeared completely. Magnesium levels fell in almost all foods examined –4% in turkey meat but dramatically lower quantities in many cheeses. Parmesan cheese was the worst affected recording a 70% fall in value. The calcium and iron content of all the foods examined was reduced dramatically in every instance e.g. the iron content of a beef rump steak fell 55%.

Many modern farming practices lead to a reduction in quality. Grass-fed cattle produce meat that is much higher in nutrients like beta-carotene and vitamin E than their feedlot counterparts. All of this begs the question ‘Are we getting enough nutrition to keep our bodies healthy?' It also raises the importance of keeping ourselves informed and as far as possible growing our own vegetable or buying organic. 

 Roz Townsend        Global Citizen committed to environmental sustainability,social justice and spiritual fulfillment.                Please visit home www.roztonsend.com or contact me at [email protected]