Following are links of two articles regarding the shocking truth behind the multimillion-dollar cut flower industry. The first article talks about the impact of cut flowers on our environment and society.

Are Cut Flowers Bad for the Environment?
by S.E. Smith

…Most cut flowers are grown in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia in large greenhouse environments staffed by underpaid, non-unionized workers. The greenhouses are carefully climate controlled to yield the best cut flowers, and they are also heavily sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Because cut flowers are grown in nations with more lax environmental laws, many banned substances including DDT and methyl-bromide are used in flower production. These substances have a profound impact on the health of the workers: many suffer from health problems such as skin conditions, respiratory problems, impaired vision, and birth defects thanks to their exposure to these chemicals…

Continue reading here…

The second article spells out in detail the growing demand of cut flowers in the United Kingdom and its implications on our earth, especially the pollution of CO2 and the working environment of the workers in flower farms. Read on and you will find that your beautiful imported flowers might not have a very beautiful story after all.

Is it OK to Buy Cut Flowers?
by Leo Hickman

…In fact, the true extent of the trade’s environmental impact was only recently recognised officially. Figures released by Defra last November following parliamentary questions from Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Norman Baker showed that almost 17,000 tonnes of flowers – worth £46.1m – were imported more than 4,000 miles from Kenya in 2004. Roses accounted for almost 5,000 tonnes of the imports. Overall, this signified a 83% increase in air-freighted flowers from Kenya in just four years. Baker has since calculated that this trade from Kenya leads to 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year – meaning that the transit of each flower creates far more than its own weight in CO2 pollution…

Continue reading here…

The article below is meant for Valentine’s Day but it still applies regardless of occasions. It spells out the problem of harmful chemicals on flowers imported to the States from South America. We’re also facing the exact problem in Malaysia as most growers use lots of pesticides on the plants and this explains the ‘stubborn’ white residues (and ‘funny’ scent) that you see (and smell) on your fresh cut flowers. Unfortunately, many local farms still lack awareness when it comes to sustainable floral farming. At least, there are a few organizations in the States and Europe that regulates the flower industry for sustainable growing practices but none that I know of in this country. Thus, it is important for us to be more aware of this issue and make the best out of what we have got. So, say yes to local, organic, fair trade, and environmental friendly flowers and NO to flowers with toxic pesticides!

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Organic roses say “I Love You” not pesticides

via GreenYour

Nearly 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are imported from Ecuador and Colombia, due largely to the elimination of import taxes on South American flowers. An unintended byproduct of the off-shoring of the flower industry has been an increase in the chemicals coming into the US on the flowers. All flowers that enter the United States are closely inspected for pests and diseases but not chemicals.

One-fifth of the chemicals used in flower production in South America — such as DDT and methyl-bromide — are restricted or banned in the United States and Europe but products contaminated with these chemicals ARE allowed in. Environmental laws in South America are either lax or not enforced and the consequences are frightening; according to a survey of workers on flower plantations near Bogotá, the workers were exposed to 127 different pesticides, 3 of which are considered extremely toxic.

So this Valentine’s day, say “I love you”, not only to your sweetheart but to the thousands of workers in the flower industry who will continue to be affected until consumers speak out with their wallets and embrace organic.

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So, whenever you want to buy flowers for that special someone, think GREEN! Well, most importantly, it won’t cost you a bomb to go green. The above is a beautiful organic bouquet consisted of pink hydrangeas and tropical gingers which I’ve just arranged. Have a great and green weekend!