Responsible Roundups

Responsible Roundup: Food is dangerous, China has two faces, Wokai needs your help, and I wonder what Palin knows about China?

DON’T EAT ANYTHING. YET.
Yeah, melamine milk sucks. But so does a lot of other crap we ingest, as Rich Brubaker points out in his recent post: “Even my iPhone may have melamine.“

Earlier this week, Nazia Vasi of 2point6billion.com points out the countless other chemicals that can “create defects, abnormalities and/or death.” Yowzas. Nazia refers us to the Asian Food Information Center, which offers “Tips for Consumers Who Wish to Minimise Possible Consumption of Pesticide Residues” (not a particularly catchy name for a how-to guide). These tips include washing foods thoroughly, peeling outer skins and layers, and avoiding roadside plants.

But what about getting to the root of the problem, so to speak, which is to avoid pesticides and harmful fertilizers to begin with? Last year, John Paull wrote about “China’s Organic Revolution,” explaining the country’s adoption of its special “Green Food” system, which he says is a great start…but still not quite up to par with international standards. The world’s biggest pesticide user still has a long way to go. “There are concerns about China’s past agricultural processes and toxic inputs, the possibility of toxic residue in the soil and possibly in the food, and there are concerns about the long-term commitment to following the organic standards and the depth of understanding of the organic requirements,” according to Jim Riddle, former chair of the USDA National Organic Standards Board, as told to the Chicago Tribune. Somebody, please, fix this problem!

The Associated Press recently notes that only the “elite” — senior politicians, government officials and retired cadres — get to enjoy “hormone-free beef from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, organic tea from the foothills of Tibet and rice watered by melted mountain snow.” Where are they getting the goods? From the The State Council Central Government Offices Special Food Supply Center, a highly secretive department that enforces strict standards on food suppliers for its A-list clientele.

I say: Share the wealth! Your nation depends on it.

THERE ARE TWO CHINAS.
Sorry, I can’t get away from this issue. It all goes back to the milk. Howard French writes about “A crisis rooted in two Chinas” for The Star. He answers the question we all want to know: “They can win 51 gold medals…So why can’t the Chinese government safeguard baby formula for the nation’s infants?” The answer, French explains through interviews, is multifaceted. One source says the government cares more about protecting its international image than saving the lives of its own citizens (PR dilemma!) Another points to China’s failure as the result of government corruption and the lack of NGOs and other civil society watchdogs (free the press!)

China has so much potential. But like any two-face, it’s hard to tell if it’ll use its superpowers for good or, dare I say, evil.

GIVE A LITTLE.
The Web 2.0 of China microfinance, Wokai.org (which I will be covering in an upcoming podcast) launched an email fundraising campaign this month in preparation for the launch of its “person-to-person contribution platform” this November.

A note from the founders: “If you would like to make a contribution, please visit http://www.wokai.org/donate.php. Any dollar amount that you can give will allow Wokai to make our cause of enabling you to help microentrepreneurs in rural China a reality. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible!”

WHAT’S CHINA GOT TO DO WITH THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
“China’s impact on the environment and its role in addressing the problem of climate change has assumed increasing importance,” says the USC US-China Institute. And that’s why the center released a new eight-part video documentary, “Election ‘08 and the Challenge of China, ” reported by Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing bureau chief and currently the Edgerton Senior Fellow on Asia at the Pacific Council on International Policy.

I haven’t watched the video (YouTube links don’t work?) but as soon as I do, I’ll be watching. And I suggest McCain, Palin, Obama and Biden do the same.

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