PESTICIDES, POLITICS… AND PROGRESS?
A Conversation on the 50th Anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
Thursday, September 27, 2012
American University School of International Service
Global Environmental Politics Program
12:00pm
Vanishing of the Bees
Film and discussion led by Professor Eve Bratman
Abramson Family Founders Room
Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing
from their hives. This phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry
responsible for producing a third of the food on our tables. Vanishing of the Bees follows
commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their
bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the US. Filming across the US, in
Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of
honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind
and mother earth.
2:00pm
Breaking the Silence: A half century of pesticide injustice and advocacy
Panel moderated by Professor Garrett Graddy
Abramson Family Founders Room
Virginia Ruiz, Farmworker Justice
Heather White, Environmental Working Group
Jay Feldman, Beyond Pesticides
Joe, Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Gerardo, Coalition of Immokolee Workers
Sustainable, organic, locally sourced refreshments provided by Zenful Bites
5:00pm
A Chemical Reaction
Film and discussion
SIS 300
Did you know it’s illegal to apply synthetic lawn chemicals such as Roundup or weed 'n
feed in most of Canada, or that the Supreme Court of Canada upheld municipalities'
rights to ban lawn and garden chemicals by a 9-0 monumental verdict? This awardwinning film, A Chemical Reaction, tells the inspirational story of the most successful
community action initiative in North American history.
Sponsors: Global Environmental Politics Program, American University Library, Zenful Bites, EcoSense,
Kay Spiritual Life Center