Synthetic pesticides – including herbicides and insecticides - are routinely used in and around the built environment, and in green spaces to treat unwanted vegetation and insects. However, pesticides are damaging to the environment; they are also a public health and disability rights issue. Together with other harmful practices such as over-mowing, they are a major cause of biodiversity loss, and by killing off invertebrates they also drive other animals such as hedgehogs and birds towards extinction. Pesticide exposure is linked to cancers, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as chronic conditions such as autism and ME/CFS. Young people and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to pesticide injury, while low-dose exposure can present access and inclusion challenges for people with allergies and sensitivity-related conditions. 

For the last few years, Pesticide-Free Cambridge has been working with Cambridge City Council and other stakeholders to make the city pesticide-free. It is now joining forces with Cambridge Climate Society to tackle ongoing pesticide-use in Cambridge’s colleges so as to complement the council’s own Herbicide Reduction Plan.

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