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Artwork | Polo Castellanos | Courtesy of artelista Moderator’s Note: At the request of anti-GMO activist networks in Mexico and the U.S. we are posting our translation of an editorial published in the Mexican national daily, La Jornada two days ago (28 November 2014). The statement was prepared by Professor Elena Álvarez-Buyll on behalf of the Mexican NGO known as Unión de Científicos Comprometidos con la Sociedad (UCCS) or Union of Socially Concerned Scientists. This is one in a continuing series of translated works we are posting to keep our English language readers informed on important developments and perspectives in Mexico related to the science, culture, and politics of food and agriculture, with a focus on growing social movements for the protection of Mexico precious diversity of native crops. Mexico is one of the premiere centers of origin for native (land race) crops – including multiple varieties among amaranth, avocado, bean, cacao, chile, corn, papaya,   squash, and...

BMG cyanide calavera. Art | Amy Woods. Photo | Devon Peña It’s the water, stupid! THE CRIME OF COAL MINING EAGLE PASS Devon G. Peña | Seattle, WA | November 21, 2014 One does not have to travel to the Global South to witness the social, cultural, and ecological ravages of industrial mining. We can see plenty of damage in our own country. Colorado has a gold mining legacy gloriously celebrated in movies, books, and museums across the state. This is a mythical enterprise and promotes romanticized nostalgia and a warped ideology of rugged frontiersmen bravely beating back Indian savages to conquer the wilderness in search of a God-given right to make fortunes while doing their part for Manifest Destiny and the settler colony. In the real material world, Colorado’s mining legacy is encapsulated by one fact: There are more than 1,300 miles of mountain streams and rivers badly contaminated by acid-mine drainage from more than 23,000 abandoned mine sites scattered across the high country (see...