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Sustainable By Any Other Name...

by: Jill Richardson

Sat May 30, 2009 at 15:20:29 PM PDT


"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

That may be the case, but apparently sustainable by any other name makes you sound like a dirty hippie. And our government doesn't want no stinkin' dirty hippies.

A few weeks ago, Obama Foodorama posted that sustainable is now the USDA's #1 adjective of choice. Well, if they are serious, that's a good thing. But keep in mind that everyone from Coke and Pepsi to pesticide maker DuPont thinks they are sustainable (judging by their attendance at the upcoming Sustainable Brands conference). And there's the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Chicago with attendees like ConAgra, Sara Lee, and Subway. And don't forget Monsanto, who claims it's also sustainable (just like Fox News is "fair and balanced").

In other words, go ahead and use the word sustainable. It's been adopted, watered down, and all but ruined by the big guys, so nobody is going to think you're actually threatening them with real sustainability. But what if you used the word "agroecology" instead? Rumor has it that that's not so good. I have heard through the grapevine from sustainable agriculture advocates that they have been counseled not to use the term "agroecology" when approaching the U.S. government about their concerns. They got the advice from a well-meaning friend on Capitol Hill who basically let them know that they'd be perceived as radical hippies if they said it. But "sustainable"? That word is OK. Thanks, Monsanto!

Jill Richardson :: Sustainable By Any Other Name...
Tags: , , , (All Tags)
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That's pretty funny (4.00 / 5)
I wonder if they'll still be thinking of us as DFH when we're 80?

Hippies, do people still identify themselves that way (younger than the actual generational hippies that is)?

I think everyone should start using agroecology. I want to see how the big boys adapt it. lol!~  :)


I get called a hippie all the time (4.00 / 5)
although that's not how I see myself... I was born in the wrong decade for it. But yeah, I guess people do still use it.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

[ Parent ]
Interesting (4.00 / 6)
I really wasn't aware people referred to people as one anymore, aside from the misguided uptights in DC that is :)  

I don't see myself as one either, but in thinking about, if people still see people this way, I could prob "classify", especially when I get back to my ol' CA stomping grounds, lol!~ {note to self: cut off hair before returning to CA}


[ Parent ]
they're always ripping our words (4.00 / 3)
first it was "organic," now it's "sustainable." I'm sure they'll figure out a way to coopt "agroecology," too.

I'm leaning towards "fossil fuel-free agriculture." Try and steal that, assholes.

"If God were to appear to starving people, he would not dare to appear in any other form than food." - Mahatma Gandhi


Don't forget... (4.00 / 2)
that Lay's is "local" now, too!

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

[ Parent ]
oh, god (4.00 / 2)
it's like having some pesky kid brother who's always following you around imitating you.

Well, as long as they don't learn the secret password, I guess we'll be okay.

"If God were to appear to starving people, he would not dare to appear in any other form than food." - Mahatma Gandhi


[ Parent ]
LOL (4.00 / 3)
that's a great analogy!

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

[ Parent ]
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