Consider these words. “Endosulfan…is likely, as a result of long range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects, such that global action is warranted”. This is what an exert panel of scientists, part of the Stockholm Convention (that bans and phases out a brand of especially toxic chemicals called Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, which includes DDT ) said last week.
But India manufactures the stuff domestically, one of the few remaining countries, with Israel, China and Korea, to do so and now have to take action preempting a global ban on Endosulfan.
There is no sensible option but to find safe alternatives, invest in tests, identify stockpiles and handle them and finally, cease production within an announced time limit. It’s hard work, but attainable. Why should we ignore science and continue to poison our own citizens? The least we can expect from the government is to guarantee our safety.
Maldivian initiative
The Maldives government decided to do a Greenpeace style action on climate change. They held a cabinet meet 6-mts underwater, where they signed a document asking other countries to reduce carbon emissions. It was a plea for life. The Maldives is likely to be one of the first countries to go under as sea levels rise-something that is a certainty.