As reported in a recent Reuters article, the United Nations has announced a plan to rid the world of DDT by 2020. DDT, a toxic crop pesticide still used to fight malaria-spreading mosquitoes, is one of a “Dirty Dozen” of chemicals banned or restricted by the U.N. 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) after it was found to suppress the immune system, causing alarming health concerns.
The U.S. banned most uses of DDT in 1972 following Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book, “Silent Spring.” DDT is infamous for threatening bird populations by thinning eggshells and is linked to cancer in humans. But exemptions to the ban have persisted in many developing countries because of its effectiveness in killing malaria-bearing mosquitoes. However, alternatives—including mosquito nets and draining stagnant water—are also very effective in combating malaria without the devastating health and environmental side-effects of DDT, and now the U.N. is promoting safer approaches. Click here for more about the effects of DDT and campaigns to promote safe alternatives.
Greengrants’ global advisor, the Pesticide Action Network (PAN), has been supporting organizations in developing countries with small grants to raise awareness about the effects of DDT and promote safer alternatives.
For example, in Uganda, Greengrants supported the Uganda Network on Toxic Free Malaria Control with two small grants to hold a series of meetings about a proposed re-introduction of DDT usage to control malaria in the country. In 2008, the organization petitioned the Ugandan government to halt DDT re-introduction and to monitor the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which calls for the eventual phase out of all uses of DDT.
The meetings involved stakeholders at all levels—including civil society organizations, policy makers, national press, and potentially affected communities—and helped to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of DDT, while highlighting viable alternatives for malaria control. Additionally, they provided stakeholders with an increased understanding of the policy process and contributed to a watershed moment in the debate around the issue. On May 30, 2008 Uganda’s High Court ordered a halt to the use of DDT. This decision was prompted by activist concern and marks a fundamental change in the country’s social agenda.
Unfortunately, Uganda’s Attorney General challenged the decision, and in August of 2008, the government announced plans to apply DDT in western parts of the country. Despite this setback, the court’s ruling set a new precedent, bringing the debate about DDT into the public arena for the first time. Dr. Paul Saoke, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Kenya, is optimistic that, finally, “we have begun to roll back DDT use in Uganda.”
A follow-up $5,000 grant to the Uganda Network in 2009 is supporting continued awareness-building among policy makers and communities about the risks associated with DDT, with the goal of building a broad movement to achieve a final ban in Uganda. For recent news on this issue in Uganda, click here.