Environtmental and Global Health

Posts Tagged ‘Healthy’

Friends of the Earth has analyzed a range of foods on sale in supermarkets in search of unlabelled GM corn. Have been found contaminated products, like microwave popcorn or coloring for paella. Data from the Spanish Food Safety Agency (EASA) confirm that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are in our diet without consumers knowing it can not help it. Friends of the Earth demands respect for the right to a healthy, safe and free from GMOs.
The legislation requires that if a food contains genetically modified, this information appears on the label. However, contamination is tolerated up to 0.9% in each ingredient without which the consumer has to be informed, in practice allowing GMOs to enter into our diet without which we could avoid it.

Friends of the Earth has discussed various foods with corn as main ingredient, not labeled as GM. Three of these products containing GMOs [1]. Data from the AESA analysis performed periodically to corn and soy products show that in the years 2004 and 2005, between 15 and 17% of food tested contained GMOs. These products are not identified as GM, including baby food and baby milk, yoghurts, ready meals and meat products [2].

David Sanchez, Head of Agriculture and Food Friends of the Earth said: “The law does not allow consumers to exercise our right not to eat GM. Despite the social rejection of these foods are coming into our diet without us being informed. “

The origin of this widespread presence of GMOs in food products is explained by the conditions under which GM maize is grown in Spain since 1998 and imports of GM soya. The lack of transparency and the absence of actual control information and prevent farmers can avoid seeing their crops contaminated by GM maize or the separation between raw materials and conventional transgenic or ecological effective.

The uncertainties about the safety of GMOs to human health and the environment continue. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Elena Espinosa said in an interview to 20 Minutes on 12 February this year that GM: “Never have provided environmental impact studies or guarantees about the health of consumers.”

David Sanchez added: “GM in our country are beyond our control and contaminated food ends. Meanwhile, the maximum charge in Agriculture and Food acknowledges doubts about its safety. We can not afford to continue experimenting with our health and our environment. “

The World Health Day 2010 (7 April) will focus on urbanization and health. The theme reflects the desire to recognize the effects of urbanization on both our collective health on a global scale, as in the health of every one of us.

Virtually all population growth over the next 30 years will take place in urban areas. It affects such matters as water, environment, violence and injuries, non communicable diseases and their risk factors such as the use of snuff, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and risks of disease outbreaks.

The urban planning can promote healthy habits and safety through investment in active transport, the design of areas for physical activity and the adoption of regulations against snuff and for food safety. It can also promote the improvement of urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation. A city that is accessible and inclusive quality of life for all ages will benefit all its inhabitants.

As part of the campaign thousand cities, a thousand lives during the week from 7 to April 11, 2010 will be organized events around the world:

* Mil cities: open to the public streets, public spaces open to health, either for activities in parks, town meetings, cleanups, or close some streets to motor traffic.

* A thousand lives: tell the story of the local promoters of Urban Health, to collect a thousand stories of urban health advocates, for their efforts, have had a considerable impact on the health of their cities.

Many people feel admiration for nature, respect. They are sensitive to the beauty of wild scenery, plants and animals. In this generosity, compassion, nothing to do with a utility that can be natural, seeing it as something far more important than “natural resources” for using, selling or eating. Of course we need to use natural, but not good considering it only as something used.

The sense that nature is far more than the things that take advantage of, to realize that the existence of human beings share with nature, it is proud to disperse knowledge. This knowledge allows to look silly for saying “first is the man.” We must be good, but we should also respect others.

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Passive smoking is responsible for one out of every 10 deaths associated with tobacco consumption of tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, and estimated that each year kills more than 5 million people around the world, more than HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
World Health Organization (WHO) presented the report the global tobacco epidemic observed 2009 annual data are disturbing death of tobacco and its consequences for the entire population.

Every year the world’s 5 million people due to tobacco consumption, but according to the report, unless taken urgent measures, this number could reach eight million in the year 2030. In the twentieth century it is estimated that 100 million people have died because of the tobacco epidemic. The projected figure for the XXI century, to continue the current momentum, could be one billion.
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