Frank Lepkowski

Pastoral Ideal (Ed. /5)

2024

"Many of the most common flowers sold in flower shops around the world are grown in equatorial countries. Unfortunately, many of these countries have loose to no regulations on the synthetic pesticides and fertilizers used to grow the flowers. These pesticides and fertilizers find their way into waterways, and rivers and eventually make their way into our oceans, causing environmental havoc along the way. Fertilizer runoff can trigger sudden explosions of marine algae capable of disrupting ocean ecosystems and even producing "dead zones" in the sea. Pesticides can affect coral reproduction, growth, and other physiological processes. Herbicides, in particular, can affect the symbiotic algae (plants). This can damage their partnership with coral and result in bleaching. This image contemplates the connection between the flowers we buy, and the effect commercial flowers have on the majestic and fragile reef systems around the world. In keeping with one of PangeaSeed Foundation’s mottos, “As Above, So Below”, this image imagines Clownfish, an iconic reef dweller living within the flowers we consume. Their home is being threatened and altered by pesticide runoff, pictured here as a band of bleached out flowers. You can make a difference by the choices you make on a daily basis. This Valentine’s Day, consider buying local organically grown flowers. Consider picking your own wildflowers. Consider giving flower paintings and drawings…. ( i Might know a guy). Consider doing this every time you think about gifting flowers or decorating your home. The consumption choices we make have direct effects on our planet. Next time you buy flowers, think about our Mother Nature." - Jet Martinez

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