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Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 18:53:56 PM PDT
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| Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, has died from cancer at the age of 95. The New York Times eulogized him as a hero who saved millions from hunger and won the Nobel Peace Prize. While Borlaug was motivated by altruism and perhaps the Green Revolution used the latest science at the time, today we know that the "help" he gave the developing world came with severe social and environmental costs. I certainly don't think his death is an appropriate occasion to criticize him - lord knows I've experienced the death of a loved one all too recently myself, and my heart goes out to Borlaug's family and loved ones - but I do think that the new research and science that has come to light since the original Green Revolution DOES show that pesticides and ammonia fertilizer, etc, are not the way to go in helping the developing world. Borlaug continued to be active in pushing the Green Revolution technologies even to this day, along with current politicians who are looking to initiate a second Green Revolution. I find it very sad that the powers that be are unwilling to integrate new science into their decision making processes, especially when the world's hungry will be the ones who pay the price. |
| Jill Richardson :: RIP Norman Borlaug, Age 95 |
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