The California government must solve this political problem. However, lobbying efforts by pesticide and agricultural companies are preventing change. In 2023, corporations across the state lobbied over $480 million, a record high. In particular, pesticide organizations attempt to paint themselves as “climate heroes” that minimize global warming. Despite these claims, the industry’s desperate efforts to maintain the profitable status quo are false.
The data shows quite the opposite, where lobbying suppresses the harmful effects of pesticides. They kill soil biodiversity, an essential mechanism for carbon capture, disease suppression, and food production. These chemicals are now 48 times more toxic to insect populations compared to 1990. Similarly, pesticides have detrimental consequences on humans within their application and consumption. Only 0.1% of the chemical comes into contact with the plant, while the rest interacts with its surroundings. This inevitably leads to humans consuming these products as applied pesticides degrade into byproducts and spread into the environment through runoff. It’s estimated that 50 million people drink water contaminated with pesticides every year in the United States alone. Over 11,000 people die from pesticide poisoning and exposure each year. These cases can develop into afflictions, such as Parkinson’s disease or cancer, showing the dangerous consequences of pesticide use.
However, the solution that hardly anybody is talking about has already been invented and is right in front of our eyes: vertical farms. Vertical farms are buildings where crops are grown commercially on multiple levels. This greenhouse grows agriculture indoors, eliminating pesticides and chemical fertilizers while using a controlled environment with artificial sunlight. This creates a safer and more sustainable way to grow food because it uses renewable energy to foster ethical farming practices.
Vertical farms boost the local economy, while pesticides pad the pockets of large corporations. Since vertical farms are indoors, they can be built in deserts and urban areas. This can increase the accessibility of locally-grown foods, lowering food prices and minimizing transportation costs. Similarly, since they’re built indoors, they’re not subject to seasonal changes or inclement weather. By enabling scientists to control and observe crops, they’re less likely to be impacted by disease. When viewed on a wide scale, vertical farming uses 90% less land and up to 95% less water, while producing 80% more crops than traditional farming methods.
Overall, Californians need to support the transition to vertical farming. There are dozens of farms in the local area, including LA Urban Farms, Etum Organics, and Plenty. This means advocating for policies that encourage the adoption of vertical farms that would minimize monopolies by the pesticide industry. By reducing our reliance on harmful pesticides and embracing sustainable farming practices, we can protect our health, preserve biodiversity, and ensure a more resilient and secure food supply for the future. The power to create change is in our hands—let’s make vertical farming a cornerstone of California’s agricultural future.
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