Pesticides

The Story of Seeds

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Copies: 6

The world's seeds are in crisis.

Of 12,000 plant species used for human food, only about 150 are being grown for sale, only eight grains are traded throughout the world, and half of our calories come from just three: rice, wheat, and maize.

This means that our food diversity is diminishing at a shocking rate. More than on in five plants on earth are threatened with extinction. Our lives depend on all kinds of seeds, but they are facing many threats: war-torn countries, damaged habitats, and climate change, to name a few.

Lexile: 
1110L
The Story of Seeds

Wrath of Grapes Boycott Speech by Cesar Chavez

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Chavez delivered this speech at various times and places kicking off an entire campaign in May 1986 to promote consumer awareness of pesticide use.

John Stossel - DDT

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John Stossel ad Richard Tren detail how the DDT ban, a great victory for environmentalism, has led to a multitude of deaths throughout the world.

A New Home to DDT

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This article from the New York Times explains how DDT usage resurged in Africa to kill mosquitoes and reduce the instances of malaria.

How DDT Harmed Hawks and Eagles

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Article from Helium.com about how DDT harmed raptors, or birds of prey.

Malaria Carrying Mosquito Crash Lands Due to His Insecticide

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Article about Paul Muller, the chemist who discovered DDT.

DDT—Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane Video

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Science can help us to take action to improve our health and the environment. Banning DDT in 1972 is considered one of the most important steps in protecting wildlife and people from the effects of pesticides and has set the course for future research into the effects of the chemicals we use.

Farming (1997)

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It’s Old Mac Science Guy’s “Farming” show, E-I-E-I-O.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
Length: 
00:23
Farming

Pollution Solutions (1996)

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This episode doesn’t stink, even though it’s about pollution.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
Length: 
00:23
Pollution Solutions