Jodie Bruning's guest appearances

Jodie Bruning

GreenplanetFM Podcast

TNT Radio

Tom Campbell

Bruce Lipton

Eben Alexander

Charles Eisenstein

Byron Katie

Sonia Choquette

James Wilson

Matt Wilson

Phil Gregory

Amit Goswami

Dan Millman

Malcolm Scott

Mike Joy

Russell Targ

James Cameron

OwlTail

Rick Munn

GUEST OVERVIEW: Jodie Bruning is a sociologist based in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Bruning’s primary research focus is on the relationship between governance, policy, and the production of scientific and technical knowledge for public good. Jodie is a writer, activist and runs Talking Risk Website.

GUEST OVERVIEW: Jodie Bruning is a sociologist based in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Bruning’s primary research focus is on the relationship between governance, policy, and the production of scientific and technical knowledge for public good. Jodie is a writer, activist and runs Talking Risk Website.

Jodie Bruning on Locked & Loaded with Rick Munn - 12 September 2022

Jodie is a Trustee for Physicians Scientists for Global Responsibility, an organisation that has been around for about 20 years. Its focus is on independent science information in the public interest, and the public’s right to be independently informed on issues concerning both ecosystem and human health. https://www.psgr.org.nz/about-us  Jodie also founded the organisation Rite-Demands.org to draw attention to the problems of inadequate chemical regulation, that currently is too outdated and too dependent on private industry produced science to protect public health. However, she stresses that this interview is not on behalf of PSGR.  This interview reflects her independent research on what is happening in NZ.   The challenges today are how to promote wellbeing in the population and protect NZ's future generations. Though at heart it is very simple – it is about good nutrition, clean food and water, and transparency and accountability in Government. But when you delve into it, it is very complex, because we deal with each issue separately – we put health issues in silos, but when people tip into one illness, they frequently tip into more. The Data is Telling  The data increasingly demonstrates that the nation’s health is being unduly affected by a combination of poor nutrition and toxicity that we are finding in the growing list of illnesses that we see in our population today. New Zealand doesn’t do much research to understand this, but this shouldn’t keep us from understanding the international science that indicates nutritional parameters are presently at very low levels. These can cause disease and depressive symptoms, as well as chemical exposures in the general public, thus creating long-term damaging stress to our body biology, that also sets the stage for increasing even more disease.   The increases in population level illnesses are alarming. But, especially in children. Comorbidity  Jodie wants everyone to know what the word ‘comorbidity’ means – because when you become ill - you frequently do not become ill with just one affliction.  For example, the science literature shows that people with irritable bowel or a functional disturbance of the intestines - that about 60% of people are likely to also suffer from depression as well. Comorbidity is common. With obesity - there is a massive overlap with type 2 diabetes and depressive disorder - that is an issue and these have been increasing dramatically over just the last 5 years. Then heart disease risk, cancer risk, osteoporosis can be added in etc. Yet, we do not see budgeting in the public sector to talk about this cumulative cost of comorbidity. Overlapping illnesses with other illnesses. So if you are not taking in healthy food (chemical free, with appropriate, bio-available fibre), then down-stream, you may experience bowel issues - that is where we absorb nutrients. We are now having issues with bone density or we have rheumatoid arthritis - or we can’t properly concentrate at school, and it’s affecting our IQ and our ability to learn, cope and have resilience. All of these may be impaired as well. But, what is shown is that you just don’t have eczema or Crohn’s disease and fatigue - what you are experiencing can be an overlap of many ailments. Why is this Happening?The question that is being asked is why is this happening? Science tells us that we can have a genetic connection, but frequently a genetic disposition is a secondary factor, - it is the environment, the combination of dietary and inflammatory stress that tips us into disease that we are genetically predisposed to. (Of course some people will express clearly inherited traits in every generation.) This is why 50 to 80 years ago we did not have the huge numbers of problems that we have now. Endocrinologists are noticing the problemsHormone mimicking chemicals harm us at parts per billion and parts per trillion, lower than the levels chemical regulators look at. So what are the endocrinologists saying - like Dr. Leo Trasande - he’s looking at the plastics in our diet - pesticides, air pollution, personal care products, household products and that they are adding up. Dr Trasande said in the book ‘Sicker, Fatter, Poorer’ that the problems of hormone damage directly relate to the pressures from all these chemicals – ‘Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are the second greatest environmental challenge of our time.’ Second to Climate Change.  This is how serious things are becoming. Jodie, says we are affected from conception - a baby foetus inside its mother can be exposed to between 200 to 300 plus different chemicals. A young child is worryingly more exposed. For example you give a toddler a glass of milk and then give an adult a glass of milk - the toddler will have 3 to 5 times the exposure of the adult because of the size of the drink to body weight - so when you do a urine test or a blood serum test for that toddler it has a far greater exposure rate with high urinary or blood germ concentrations. This means that the toddler is being exposed to far more challenges than any adult – but there are no science resources in New Zealand to understand how this is harming our children. This is not really being considered by regulators.  - please listen Just like a young mother putting on sunscreen to protect their child from the intensity of UV, yet the creams are now considered to have ingredients that are toxic as well.  Once NZ had an Independent Scientific Government Department - called the DSIR. Need for Independent Science Research  Jodie sees the importance to not only have authorities check food for safety but also we critically need funding to protect and regenerate our soil health so that our crops and our animals are healthier and more resilient to pests. The science is there. We need to inform and resource farmers via old fashioned but really effective extension services. Where once NZ had a very robust Government Department called the DSIR - the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which had top quality research scientists who were free of any commercial interests and could check out and publish research on all aspects of nature - the food chain, and any other industrial purpose, having especially a deep focus on biology, but this has nearly all been lost. This came about, when the 4th Labour Government found themselves selling off a large percentage of NZ's State Owned Enterprises, the Crown Jewels of Government - and the DSIR was off loaded as well. Thus we lost an independent body of scientists who at one level were also public health watch dogs. Lack of Robust NZ Media.So the precautionary approach today has in many ways a very small voice - as the media, the Fourth Estate rarely puts out an article that for example, reflects who paid for the science, or what the ethical implications might be.  The importance of ‘basic’ science – science silos can’t address comorbidity New Zealand pays people to do ‘applied’ ‘silo-like’ science – zero in on one little issues. But the important ‘basic’ science that can look across issues and see big problems is comparatively rare.  The importance of Epidemiologists Epidemiologists in NZ are so now very critical, as like Grant A Schofield,  Boyd Swinburn and Alister Woodward - that we have very few areas in public health science where people are focusing on this multi-disciplinary problem - this comorbidity - that is not being looked at as either an economic problem or a ‘wellbeing' perspective. NZ is not paying people to research this area - just like Jodie, she is a volunteer and not being paid. So we have a vacuum in this field and it is important for the NZ public to address this yawning horrible gap in public health and in our general awareness. NZ Revolutionary ‘Wellbeing’ - Budget did not cover food or diet. Boyd Swinburn in referring to the NZ’s Government’s ‘Revolutionary’ Wellbeing Budget’ said no mention was made of food or diet - so this is a huge dropout by both treasury and the health department - because we all have to eat 3 times a day. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=12245436 Jul 2, 2019 - Boyd Swinburn: Drastic change in our food systems needed. 2 Jul, 2019 ... Our future food systems must continue to add to our wellbeing In asking about who else is speaking out about health and wellbeing …she said there are a lot of science based experts in NZ talking on the need for healthy nutrition, diet and the importance of micronutrients - but they are not getting any traction in Government Policy – their idea of ‘treatment’ involves drugs, not nutrition. So Jodie says we just have to look further up the command chain within Government.  In particular if public servants are really making rules and policies that are consistent with the purpose or function or intention of the Act -  that then actually gives them the power to make decisions and rules. Everything the Government (our elected servants) does should be in the public interest, and there is a wide body of administrative law supporting this. NZ Health Act 1956 What is it under the Act that our Government Departments are working for? For example - Jodie is talking with young Mums with two year olds that are home - she says - go to your computer and Search - Legislation  NZ Health Act 1956 and then search up the function of the Ministry in relationship to public health and this shows you in Section A  … the Ministry shall have the function of improving, promoting and protecting public health’ Note: ‘Protecting Public Health.’ Education for our children – connecting nutrition with biology. We do not have home economics of food science - that actually look at nutrition - as food science is slanted towards food technology. So teenagers are taught to prepare food for the market - Let's produces something suitable that can be sold on the market – but they don’t understand how cabbage or broccoli work in the gut to prevent disease and reduce mental illness. Preferably organic. They are not taught that magnesium comes from plant chlorophyll that many thousands of years ago, prior to starting to become an agricultural society we were eating so many dark green leafy plants - and now the food we eat today is being denuded of the magnesium that we need in our diet.  A Better Green Healthy Diet improves Wellbeing.Due to our present diet, our body physiology that requires magnesium is devoid of this important mineral.  Children are lacking this element that is in need to give them deep quality sleep at night. Current diets don’t provide the broad variety bioavailable fibre that the microbiome needs (the intestines) i.e to feed beneficial bacteria and fungi - that not only assist for better sleep, but better skin, plus they might not be so irritable and actually doing better in school tests, too.  Education is Needed!Our education system should be teaching our kids that a good healthy gut synthesises hormones, as well as makes neurotransmitters. The population of New Zealand thinks that mental health is only in the brain. Mental health is directly connected to stress and trauma – but critically – nutrition and toxicity (and the ability of the microbiome to deal with that toxicity). They may not be so 'jumping up and down' - they might also not be so sad … Deficiency In Our DietAnother example Jodie mentions - If we look up the B vitamins - Vitamin D and Vitamin C and magnesium and you look up the symptoms of deficiency - then come from the other end - look at depression and anxiety and look at the somatic symptoms the physiological body symptoms of depression and anxiety - and if every young mother did this and connected the dots as to where these deficiency symptoms that we are seeing in mental health - that this is why it's so debilitating to our youth or in Jodie’s words it’s actually trashing our young people. Obligations of the Ministry of HealthConsider the obligation of the Ministry of Health – that they should have the ‘function of improving, promoting and protecting public health.’ - and we are given prescriptions of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety - she says they have their place - but they do not heal. Add on the other drugs for the frequently comorbid conditions…  The Ministry has the ‘function of improving, promoting and protecting public health.’ We have to clean up our diet and clean up all food additives going all the way back through the food chain to our soil and water. This interview covers so many points affecting our health - within our body - but also the soil and waterways of NZ. It is important that you take the time to download this interview into your computer as it is only 20 megabytes and that is the equivalent of around 7 photographs.  - Tim Extra Data. This below is the 25th Australian dietary survey, It’s important as the North Island receives most of its wheat from Australia, these cereals have many different sprays of agrichemicals, so the mixture of chemicals (some of which probably cause cancer) on cereals is eye opening. http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/Pages/25th-Australian-Total-Diet-Study.aspx  Recommended reading: Sir Geoffrey Palmer &amp; Andrew Butler’s critically important 2018 book ‘Towards Democratic Renewal’ draws attention to the problems of democracy in New Zealand, with recommendations moving forward. Members at PSGR’s annual AGM stressed members read ‘Towards Democratic Renewal’ (ISBN: 9781776561834). The content provides an assessment of problematic governance and the requirement for greater transparency and accountability within the public sector. This book is a great gift for the younger generation, it is useful for understanding the machinery of government, while providing a hopeful and logical pathway to a new era of governance-direction and human rights for New Zealand.  Professor Catherine Iorns’ insightful paper on New Zealand’s outdated environmental chemical (pesticides) regulation standards ‘Permitting Poison’ – draws attention to the complexity of biological systems and risk and how the precautionary principle should operate at a 'meta-level' in decision-making. Professor Jonathan Boston produced a 2017 book on governance titled ‘Safeguarding the Future’. He wrote ‘Part of the solution must be to embed a concern for the future within day-to-day policy-making frameworks &amp; processes rather than treating it as an optional extra or expendable luxury.’ Max Rashbrooke’s positive 2018 book encouraging participatory democracy  ‘Government for the Public Good’.   An extract from a 2014 paper: JA Tainter &amp; TG Taylor: Complexity, problem-solving, sustainability and resilience: ‘Increasing complexity, effective at first, seems inexorably to accumulate and to evolve to diminishing returns, undermining the ability to solve future problems’.  ‘Complexity is a basic problem-solving tool. Confronted with problems, societies often respond by developing more complex technologies, establishing new institutions, adding more specialists or bureaucratic levels to an institution, increasing organization or regulation, or gathering and processing more information. While societies usually prefer not to bear the cost of complexity, problem-solving efforts are powerful complexity generators. All that is needed for the growth of complexity is a problem that requires it. Since problems continually arise, there is persistent pressure for complexity to increase’. P.169  In human societies that are hierarchical, the benefits of complexity often accrue at the top of a hierarchy, while the costs are paid at lower levels. Since benefits and costs do not connect, the cost of complexity often cannot constrain its growth. P.170

Jodie is a Trustee for Physicians Scientists for Global Responsibility, an organisation that has been around for about 20 years. Its focus is on independent science information in the public interest, and the public’s right to be independently informed on issues concerning both ecosystem and human health. <a href="https://www.psgr.org.nz/about-us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.psgr.org.nz/about-us</a> Jodie also founded the organisation <a href="http://Rite-Demands.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rite-Demands.org</a> to draw attention to the problems of inadequate chemical regulation, that currently is too outdated and too dependent on private industry produced science to protect public health. However, she stresses that this interview is not on behalf of PSGR.  This interview reflects her independent research on what is happening in NZ.   The challenges today are how to promote wellbeing in the population and protect NZ's future generations. Though at heart it is very simple – it is about good nutrition, clean food and water, and transparency and accountability in Government. But when you delve into it, it is very complex, because we deal with each issue separately – we put health issues in silos, but when people tip into one illness, they frequently tip into more. The Data is Telling The data increasingly demonstrates that the nation’s health is being unduly affected by a combination of poor nutrition and toxicity that we are finding in the growing list of illnesses that we see in our population today. New Zealand doesn’t do much research to understand this, but this shouldn’t keep us from understanding the international science that indicates nutritional parameters are presently at very low levels. These can cause disease and depressive symptoms, as well as chemical exposures in the general public, thus creating long-term damaging stress to our body biology, that also sets the stage for increasing even more disease.   The increases in population level illnesses are alarming. But, especially in children. Comorbidity  Jodie wants everyone to know what the word ‘comorbidity’ means – because when you become ill - you frequently do not become ill with just one affliction.  For example, the science literature shows that people with irritable bowel or a functional disturbance of the intestines - that about 60% of people are likely to also suffer from depression as well. Comorbidity is common. With obesity - there is a massive overlap with type 2 diabetes and depressive disorder - that is an issue and these have been increasing dramatically over just the last 5 years. Then heart disease risk, cancer risk, osteoporosis can be added in etc. Yet, we do not see budgeting in the public sector to talk about this cumulative cost of comorbidity. Overlapping illnesses with other illnesses. So if you are not taking in healthy food (chemical free, with appropriate, bio-available fibre), then down-stream, you may experience bowel issues - that is where we absorb nutrients. We are now having issues with bone density or we have rheumatoid arthritis - or we can’t properly concentrate at school, and it’s affecting our IQ and our ability to learn, cope and have resilience. All of these may be impaired as well. But, what is shown is that you just don’t have eczema or Crohn’s disease and fatigue - what you are experiencing can be an overlap of many ailments. Why is this Happening?The question that is being asked is why is this happening? Science tells us that we can have a genetic connection, but frequently a genetic disposition is a secondary factor, - it is the environment, the combination of dietary and inflammatory stress that tips us into disease that we are genetically predisposed to. (Of course some people will express clearly inherited traits in every generation.) This is why 50 to 80 years ago we did not have the huge numbers of problems that we have now. Endocrinologists are noticing the problemsHormone mimicking chemicals harm us at parts per billion and parts per trillion, lower than the levels chemical regulators look at. So what are the endocrinologists saying - like Dr. Leo Trasande - he’s looking at the plastics in our diet - pesticides, air pollution, personal care products, household products and that they are adding up. Dr Trasande said in the book ‘Sicker, Fatter, Poorer’ that the problems of hormone damage directly relate to the pressures from all these chemicals – ‘Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are the second greatest environmental challenge of our time.’ Second to Climate Change.  This is how serious things are becoming. Jodie, says we are affected from conception - a baby foetus inside its mother can be exposed to between 200 to 300 plus different chemicals. A young child is worryingly more exposed. For example you give a toddler a glass of milk and then give an adult a glass of milk - the toddler will have 3 to 5 times the exposure of the adult because of the size of the drink to body weight - so when you do a urine test or a blood serum test for that toddler it has a far greater exposure rate with high urinary or blood germ concentrations. This means that the toddler is being exposed to far more challenges than any adult – but there are no science resources in New Zealand to understand how this is harming our children. This is not really being considered by regulators.  - please listen Just like a young mother putting on sunscreen to protect their child from the intensity of UV, yet the creams are now considered to have ingredients that are toxic as well.  Once NZ had an Independent Scientific Government Department - called the DSIR. Need for Independent Science Research Jodie sees the importance to not only have authorities check food for safety but also we critically need funding to protect and regenerate our soil health so that our crops and our animals are healthier and more resilient to pests. The science is there. We need to inform and resource farmers via old fashioned but really effective extension services. Where once NZ had a very robust Government Department called the DSIR - the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which had top quality research scientists who were free of any commercial interests and could check out and publish research on all aspects of nature - the food chain, and any other industrial purpose, having especially a deep focus on biology, but this has nearly all been lost. This came about, when the 4th Labour Government found themselves selling off a large percentage of NZ's State Owned Enterprises, the Crown Jewels of Government - and the DSIR was off loaded as well. Thus we lost an independent body of scientists who at one level were also public health watch dogs. Lack of Robust NZ <a href="http://Media.So" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Media.So</a> the precautionary approach today has in many ways a very small voice - as the media, the Fourth Estate rarely puts out an article that for example, reflects who paid for the science, or what the ethical implications might be.  The importance of ‘basic’ science – science silos can’t address comorbidity New Zealand pays people to do ‘applied’ ‘silo-like’ science – zero in on one little issues. But the important ‘basic’ science that can look across issues and see big problems is comparatively rare.  The importance of Epidemiologists Epidemiologists in NZ are so now very critical, as like Grant A Schofield,  Boyd Swinburn and Alister Woodward - that we have very few areas in public health science where people are focusing on this multi-disciplinary problem - this comorbidity - that is not being looked at as either an economic problem or a ‘wellbeing' perspective. NZ is not paying people to research this area - just like Jodie, she is a volunteer and not being paid. So we have a vacuum in this field and it is important for the NZ public to address this yawning horrible gap in public health and in our general awareness. NZ Revolutionary ‘Wellbeing’ - Budget did not cover food or diet. Boyd Swinburn in referring to the NZ’s Government’s ‘Revolutionary’ Wellbeing Budget’ said no mention was made of food or diet - so this is a huge dropout by both treasury and the health department - because we all have to eat 3 times a day. <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=12245436" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=12245436</a> Jul 2, 2019 - Boyd Swinburn: Drastic change in our food systems needed. 2 Jul, 2019 ... Our future food systems must continue to add to our wellbeing In asking about who else is speaking out about health and wellbeing …she said there are a lot of science based experts in NZ talking on the need for healthy nutrition, diet and the importance of micronutrients - but they are not getting any traction in Government Policy – their idea of ‘treatment’ involves drugs, not nutrition. So Jodie says we just have to look further up the command chain within Government.  In particular if public servants are really making rules and policies that are consistent with the purpose or function or intention of the Act -  that then actually gives them the power to make decisions and rules. Everything the Government (our elected servants) does should be in the public interest, and there is a wide body of administrative law supporting this. NZ Health Act 1956 What is it under the Act that our Government Departments are working for? For example - Jodie is talking with young Mums with two year olds that are home - she says - go to your computer and Search - Legislation <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1956/0065/latest/whole.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> NZ Health Act 1956</a> and then search up the function of the Ministry in relationship to public health and this shows you in Section A  … the Ministry shall have the function of improving, promoting and protecting public health’ Note: ‘Protecting Public Health.’ Education for our children – connecting nutrition with biology. We do not have home economics of food science - that actually look at nutrition - as food science is slanted towards food technology. So teenagers are taught to prepare food for the market - Let's produces something suitable that can be sold on the market – but they don’t understand how cabbage or broccoli work in the gut to prevent disease and reduce mental illness. Preferably organic. They are not taught that magnesium comes from plant chlorophyll that many thousands of years ago, prior to starting to become an agricultural society we were eating so many dark green leafy plants - and now the food we eat today is being denuded of the magnesium that we need in our diet.  A Better Green Healthy Diet improves Wellbeing.Due to our present diet, our body physiology that requires magnesium is devoid of this important mineral.  Children are lacking this element that is in need to give them deep quality sleep at night. Current diets don’t provide the broad variety bioavailable fibre that the microbiome needs (the intestines) i.e to feed beneficial bacteria and fungi - that not only assist for better sleep, but better skin, plus they might not be so irritable and actually doing better in school tests, too.  Education is Needed!Our education system should be teaching our kids that a good healthy gut synthesises hormones, as well as makes neurotransmitters. The population of New Zealand thinks that mental health is only in the brain. Mental health is directly connected to stress and trauma – but critically – nutrition and toxicity (and the ability of the microbiome to deal with that toxicity). They may not be so 'jumping up and down' - they might also not be so sad … Deficiency In Our DietAnother example Jodie mentions - If we look up the B vitamins - Vitamin D and Vitamin C and magnesium and you look up the symptoms of deficiency - then come from the other end - look at depression and anxiety and look at the somatic symptoms the physiological body symptoms of depression and anxiety - and if every young mother did this and connected the dots as to where these deficiency symptoms that we are seeing in mental health - that this is why it's so debilitating to our youth or in Jodie’s words it’s actually trashing our young people. Obligations of the Ministry of HealthConsider the obligation of the Ministry of Health – that they should have the ‘function of improving, promoting and protecting public health.’ - and we are given prescriptions of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety - she says they have their place - but they do not heal. Add on the other drugs for the frequently comorbid conditions…  The Ministry has the ‘function of improving, promoting and protecting public health.’ We have to clean up our diet and clean up all food additives going all the way back through the food chain to our soil and water. This interview covers so many points affecting our health - within our body - but also the soil and waterways of NZ. It is important that you take the time to download this interview into your computer as it is only 20 megabytes and that is the equivalent of around 7 photographs.  - Tim Extra Data. This below is the 25th Australian dietary survey, It’s important as the North Island receives most of its wheat from Australia, these cereals have many different sprays of agrichemicals, so the mixture of chemicals (some of which probably cause cancer) on cereals is eye opening. <a href="http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/Pages/25th-Australian-Total-Diet-Study.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/Pages/25th-Australian-Total-Diet-Study.aspx</a> Recommended reading: Sir Geoffrey Palmer &amp; Andrew Butler’s critically important 2018 book ‘Towards Democratic Renewal’ draws attention to the problems of democracy in New Zealand, with recommendations moving forward. Members at PSGR’s annual AGM stressed members read ‘Towards Democratic Renewal’ (ISBN: 9781776561834). The content provides an assessment of problematic governance and the requirement for greater transparency and accountability within the public sector. This book is a great gift for the younger generation, it is useful for understanding the machinery of government, while providing a hopeful and logical pathway to a new era of governance-direction and human rights for New Zealand. <ul> <li>Professor Catherine Iorns’ insightful paper on New Zealand’s outdated environmental chemical (pesticides) regulation standards ‘Permitting Poison’ – draws attention to the complexity of biological systems and risk and how the precautionary principle should operate at a 'meta-level' in decision-making.</li> <li>Professor Jonathan Boston produced a 2017 book on governance titled ‘Safeguarding the Future’. He wrote ‘Part of the solution must be to embed a concern for the future within day-to-day policy-making frameworks &amp; processes rather than treating it as an optional extra or expendable luxury.’</li> <li>Max Rashbrooke’s positive 2018 book encouraging participatory democracy  ‘Government for the Public Good’. </li> </ul> An extract from a 2014 paper: JA Tainter &amp; TG Taylor: Complexity, problem-solving, sustainability and resilience: ‘Increasing complexity, effective at first, seems inexorably to accumulate and to evolve to diminishing returns, undermining the ability to solve future problems’.  ‘Complexity is a basic problem-solving tool. Confronted with problems, societies often respond by developing more complex technologies, establishing new institutions, adding more specialists or bureaucratic levels to an institution, increasing organization or regulation, or gathering and processing more information. While societies usually prefer not to bear the cost of complexity, problem-solving efforts are powerful complexity generators. All that is needed for the growth of complexity is a problem that requires it. Since problems continually arise, there is persistent pressure for complexity to increase’. P.169  In human societies that are hierarchical, the benefits of complexity often accrue at the top of a hierarchy, while the costs are paid at lower levels. Since benefits and costs do not connect, the cost of complexity often cannot constrain its growth. P.170

Jodie Bruning: Independent Researcher of Health, especially Children’s Wellbeing in New Zealand

Jodie grew up to lose both parents due to cancer and she herself, developed hyperthyroidism and had to take medication that left her lacking in energy. She didn’t really get her brain and life back until when she saw a herbalist – then her mind started to clear and she started looking at nutrition – which lead to cleaning up her diet. It was a slow process because she was still fatigued and tired with two young children though getting better all the time. Having a Degree in Agribusiness she has had a keen interest in food production. But realised that industrial factory farming was denaturing food. That wheat may have two fungicide treatments and insecticide treatments, plus it will have a coating before it sprouts into a plant (see neonicotinoids)  http://www.ourplanet.org/greenplanetfm/karen-wealleans-pat-baskett-dangers-of-neonicotinoids?A=SearchResult&amp;SearchID=3175113&amp;ObjectID=12741231&amp;ObjectType=35 but there is no scientific research on all of this. Supermarket foods today are problematic as there are so many ‘snack bargains’ available and in many ways we are reluctant or unable to address this addictive behaviour. Mainstream media is basically failing in addressing this due to vested interests and advertising revenue from the ‘food’ industry. Especially in relation to very recent new chemicals being introduced into food, since most of these chemicals were not around 20 years ago and thus we were not eating them way back then. Michael Moore the documentary maker in the US has put on record how big food researchers, explore ‘crave-ability’ and scan people’s brains to see the dopamine spurt when exposed to certain food, - how it sounds and tastes - as scientists want to know what is going on at deeper levels within our brain using hard science. The addiction’s are more than sugar, they are carbohydrates – wheat, potatoes and salt in that mix – and we are not addressing the addictive nature of these foods. Because to the snack food industry - with addictive foods, you will always get a repeat purchase. The other fact of the matter is - that Main Stream Media ‘MSM’ in many cases state that chronic illness that’s in the world today - has a genetic factor – when it could actually be up to 85% plus related to diet and exposures and we know that most exposures comes in through the mouth. That wheat may have two fungicide treatments and insecticide treatments, plus it will have a coating before it sprouts into a plant (see neonicotinoids) but there is no scientific research on all of this. Plus, there are chemicals in bread to keep it as fresh as possible. Including the possibility of soy and corn products – as seen on a great amount of supermarket food packaging and many of these may have been derived from GMO sources as well. Most mum’s will possibly only read one article every few years to warn them of what is in food – but it usually happens only when a child becomes ill, or the parents go down with an ailment, will they then start to look at what they are eating – meanwhile their life becomes very stressful and they suffer a drop in energy – losing momentum for vibrant living and well being. We need an active and diverse media in NZ but regrettably this it is not happening. That we have to wake up to the fact that we do not have ‘conscious’ media in NZ - especially covering the multiple interrelationships around products and their safety. Governments are supposedly to be trusted, however we are rapidly noticing that they are not taking the electorate into consideration when once they did. There are fiduciary obligations that should not be breached. The NZEPA -  Environmental Protection Authority is poorly funded (just like in the USA where it is deliberately underfunded)  That the NZ EPA, just can not keep up with the onslaught of chemicals and new products and flora and fauna entering NZ that they just can not research and check out prior to being allowed into our environment or market place. Plus, with trade and the need for the economic wheels to keep turning – there has become a slow compromise of standards, as overworked EPA can not keep up with their responsibilities and activity that is continuously increasing. This is because the guidelines - the protocols that the scientists have to asses, in this case pesticides are both outdated and have an exceptionally narrow focus. This has resulted in that ‘we’ are not engaging in the in-depth studies of insecticides, pesticides and fungicides.  They are NOT LOOKING at the full formulation. Most farmers know that the full formulation is more toxic. None of these full formulations when sprayed on a crop, are looked at from a combined formulation. They are all only looked at separately. This means that when you mix all the effects of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides together - the accumulative effect of all three - have a knock on effect that has not been researched or studied.    So we have an underfunded Government scientific institution given a contract with very limited scope that they ‘only stay within the parameters of what they have been given to study.’ They are not told to look outside these areas – so they are not really looking out for the public good, for in many ways the perception is they are just ticking the boxes. Therefore we have children today being exposed to a huge onslaught of chemicals (Remember the slogan Clean Green NZ) – plus the sugar load – no wonder our children are become sicker at a younger age due to this toxic overload - especially from wheat products.  So though we seem to live longer (with more drugs to keep us alive) we are having more young becoming ill as a result to all these chemical exposures. Note, that the biotech corporations give the Government their specs and data and there are definitely limitations with the data offered, solely because they want to get their product onto the market as soon as possible and they are not always forthcoming with data that could compromise them. Doctors are not able to speak out as ‘big Pharma’ is looking over their every move and doctors risk losing their license if they become critical of the chemicals that are persuasive in the food chain. As a result doctors in NZ are 15 years behind with what is truly going on. They are doing their best, but without Government sanctioning of top quality, honest food education, their task in many ways is like being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. There is a need for honest Government talking about clean food – no junk food advertising – that we are today so far from a responsible Government. The 2016 NZ Government Health Strategy came out recently but it was more like a communication strategy   talking about prevention but they never mentioned what prevention was  - they never talked about clean food or the tsunami of sugar addiction. This interview mentions the challenges to communicate to NZers, especially mothers about ‘good practice’ and safe eating and it is a huge task - as most magazines sell the sizzle - the hype of fancy dishes looking and smelling tempting and delicious. Not their health contents. Mothers are endeavoring to share and use FaceBook to communicate their needs and it is not helping parents fast enough to find the answers because they are often looking in the wrong place - when the game is to simply clean up your eating act and take in more organic produce that has never been sprayed or been fed chemicals.  MSM – just won’t go there. (Just like in the USA) That Glyphosate is sprayed now on our pastures and it’s on our food crops, on our pathways, it’s in our drains, along our roadsides, around our parks and no Council is testing for ‘Roundup’s - glyphosate in the groundwater – ‘none’ nor are they looking for it in our drains, creeks and river systems – WHY? Even Monsanto’s studies in Europe have found it in Europe’s groundwater and river systems. Recently 41 Green MP’s from 14 countries in the European Union were tested for Glyphosate in their urine and all 41 averaged 4 times the allowable amount for the EU and the Green MPs would eat and drink more organic food than the average European, by far. We are just not looking at the fungicides and insecticides and the run-off from the land into the drains, creeks and rivers – So the question being asked is - where is the hard science testing for all these chemicals and the cumulative effects of them? Most farmers are not told of the hidden dangers especially of the cumulative effect. Only when insects, bird and marine life become affected will we see that this matches the ill health that children are starting to be impacted by. There is hidden secret science that is being kept from us because MSM are basically in the hands of big business. Is Glyphosate in NZ milk products?  Evidently no one in NZ is using the ‘latest leading edge technology’ to test for glyphosate in milk that has passed through the mammalian system. See Monica Kruger – European study  http://www.gmoevidence.com/dr-kruger-glyphosate-is-toxic-to-dairy-cows/ Basically science and the systems that the NZ Government have set up are failing people in NZ, and by default overseas buyers of our produce? Note that Glyphosate can be sprayed on wheat crops – so do some research yourself. As well as oil seeds – canola and your vegetable oils like soy used in convenience foods most are GMO’s and have been sprayed with Roundup. Baby formulas and infant formulas, become very problematic when there is no robust testing. In the NZ dairy industry – we need transparent protocols because Glyphosate is being used on NZ pastures before stock is grazed on it. NZ farmers are being TOLD that it is SAFE – so when one day the newsflashes on at 6PM screaming out that overseas somewhere - tests have found glyphosate in the milk – we can then look to Monsanto’s scientists for accountability. This could be impacting animal health, sperm and egg levels causing deformities – we have not seen the tests. Bread – what is it doing to us and our children? Because of chemicals in our food we can not always see what’s actually happening in our food. Because anti fungicides keep the fungus at bay, same as preservatives in meat - stop it from spoiling early. We have to become far more aware. Safer regulation makes for safer food – the EU has good regulation ERPA in NZ is much closer to trade based interests than to Mothers … Europe has recently made a recommendation in regard to Roundup and Glyphosate  based herbicides that it should not be sprayed on food crops anymore and the major adjuvants or ingredients in the formulation – called POEA –  should be taken out of Roundup and it should never be used around parks and where children congregate or play. These recommendations are light years ahead of the NZ EPA and country wide regulations. Julia Rutledge professor  http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/profiles/staff/people/julia_rucklidge.shtmlnzh How do we get the message out? Talk with your friends over a cup of tea and coffee, at cafes, at school events, at sports in weekends. Use FB appropriately plus link to good alternative media and be adroit - put your needs out among your friends. Web search – put blog in front and after a few pages of commercial posts you get to some very interesting info Listen to Ted talks or other programs – even GPFM. When it comes to children eating industrial farmed food we are at present in a global emergency. It is that developing babies, to infants, to children all the way up through their teens whose health is in balance. This is the critical time in the formation of all of their organs and growing body.     For adults it is different we are in essence fully formed so it is not as critical when compared to growing children. So the imperative is to get organised to make sure we have a healthy future for all children and grandchildren. www.rite-demands.org  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/05/03/glyphosate-food.aspx  https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115

Jodie grew up to lose both parents due to cancer and she herself, developed hyperthyroidism and had to take medication that left her lacking in energy. She didn’t really get her brain and life back until when she saw a herbalist – then her mind started to clear and she started looking at nutrition – which lead to cleaning up her diet. It was a slow process because she was still fatigued and tired with two young children though getting better all the time. Having a Degree in Agribusiness she has had a keen interest in food production. But realised that industrial factory farming was denaturing food. That wheat may have two fungicide treatments and insecticide treatments, plus it will have a coating before it sprouts into a plant (see neonicotinoids) <a href="http://www.ourplanet.org/greenplanetfm/karen-wealleans-pat-baskett-dangers-of-neonicotinoids?A=SearchResult&amp;SearchID=3175113&amp;ObjectID=12741231&amp;ObjectType=35" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.ourplanet.org/greenplanetfm/karen-wealleans-pat-baskett-dangers-of-neonicotinoids?A=SearchResult&amp;SearchID=3175113&amp;ObjectID=12741231&amp;ObjectType=35</a> but there is no scientific research on all of this. Supermarket foods today are problematic as there are so many ‘snack bargains’ available and in many ways we are reluctant or unable to address this addictive behaviour. Mainstream media is basically failing in addressing this due to vested interests and advertising revenue from the ‘food’ industry. Especially in relation to very recent new chemicals being introduced into food, since most of these chemicals were not around 20 years ago and thus we were not eating them way back then. Michael Moore the documentary maker in the US has put on record how big food researchers, explore ‘crave-ability’ and scan people’s brains to see the dopamine spurt when exposed to certain food, - how it sounds and tastes - as scientists want to know what is going on at deeper levels within our brain using hard science. The addiction’s are more than sugar, they are carbohydrates – wheat, potatoes and salt in that mix – and we are not addressing the addictive nature of these foods. Because to the snack food industry - with addictive foods, you will always get a repeat purchase. The other fact of the matter is - that Main Stream Media ‘MSM’ in many cases state that chronic illness that’s in the world today - has a genetic factor – when it could actually be up to 85% plus related to diet and exposures and we know that most exposures comes in through the mouth. That wheat may have two fungicide treatments and insecticide treatments, plus it will have a coating before it sprouts into a plant (see neonicotinoids) but there is no scientific research on all of this. Plus, there are chemicals in bread to keep it as fresh as possible. Including the possibility of soy and corn products – as seen on a great amount of supermarket food packaging and many of these may have been derived from GMO sources as well. Most mum’s will possibly only read one article every few years to warn them of what is in food – but it usually happens only when a child becomes ill, or the parents go down with an ailment, will they then start to look at what they are eating – meanwhile their life becomes very stressful and they suffer a drop in energy – losing momentum for vibrant living and well being. We need an active and diverse media in NZ but regrettably this it is not happening. That we have to wake up to the fact that we do not have ‘conscious’ media in NZ - especially covering the multiple interrelationships around products and their safety. Governments are supposedly to be trusted, however we are rapidly noticing that they are not taking the electorate into consideration when once they did. There are fiduciary obligations that should not be breached. The NZEPA - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Protection_Authority_(New_Zealand)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Environmental Protection Authority</a> is poorly funded (just like in the USA where it is deliberately underfunded)  That the NZ EPA, just can not keep up with the onslaught of chemicals and new products and flora and fauna entering NZ that they just can not research and check out prior to being allowed into our environment or market place. Plus, with trade and the need for the economic wheels to keep turning – there has become a slow compromise of standards, as overworked EPA can not keep up with their responsibilities and activity that is continuously increasing. This is because the guidelines - the protocols that the scientists have to asses, in this case pesticides are both outdated and have an exceptionally narrow focus. This has resulted in that ‘we’ are not engaging in the in-depth studies of insecticides, pesticides and fungicides.  They are NOT LOOKING at the full formulation. Most farmers know that the full formulation is more toxic. None of these full formulations when sprayed on a crop, are looked at from a combined formulation. They are all only looked at separately. This means that when you mix all the effects of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides together - the accumulative effect of all three - have a knock on effect that has not been researched or studied.    So we have an underfunded Government scientific institution given a contract with very limited scope that they ‘only stay within the parameters of what they have been given to study.’ They are not told to look outside these areas – so they are not really looking out for the public good, for in many ways the perception is they are just ticking the boxes. Therefore we have children today being exposed to a huge onslaught of chemicals (Remember the slogan Clean Green NZ) – plus the sugar load – no wonder our children are become sicker at a younger age due to this toxic overload - especially from wheat products.  So though we seem to live longer (with more drugs to keep us alive) we are having more young becoming ill as a result to all these chemical exposures. Note, that the biotech corporations give the Government their specs and data and there are definitely limitations with the data offered, solely because they want to get their product onto the market as soon as possible and they are not always forthcoming with data that could compromise them. Doctors are not able to speak out as ‘big Pharma’ is looking over their every move and doctors risk losing their license if they become critical of the chemicals that are persuasive in the food chain. As a result doctors in NZ are 15 years behind with what is truly going on. They are doing their best, but without Government sanctioning of top quality, honest food education, their task in many ways is like being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. There is a need for honest Government talking about clean food – no junk food advertising – that we are today so far from a responsible Government. The 2016 NZ Government Health Strategy came out recently but it was more like a communication strategy   talking about prevention but they never mentioned what prevention was  - they never talked about clean food or the tsunami of sugar addiction. This interview mentions the challenges to communicate to NZers, especially mothers about ‘good practice’ and safe eating and it is a huge task - as most magazines sell the sizzle - the hype of fancy dishes looking and smelling tempting and delicious. Not their health contents. Mothers are endeavoring to share and use FaceBook to communicate their needs and it is not helping parents fast enough to find the answers because they are often looking in the wrong place - when the game is to simply clean up your eating act and take in more organic produce that has never been sprayed or been fed chemicals.  MSM – just won’t go there. (Just like in the USA) That Glyphosate is sprayed now on our pastures and it’s on our food crops, on our pathways, it’s in our drains, along our roadsides, around our parks and no Council is testing for ‘Roundup’s - glyphosate in the groundwater – ‘none’ nor are they looking for it in our drains, creeks and river systems – WHY? Even Monsanto’s studies in Europe have found it in Europe’s groundwater and river systems. Recently 41 Green MP’s from 14 countries in the European Union were tested for Glyphosate in their urine and all 41 averaged 4 times the allowable amount for the EU and the Green MPs would eat and drink more organic food than the average European, by far. We are just not looking at the fungicides and insecticides and the run-off from the land into the drains, creeks and rivers – So the question being asked is - where is the hard science testing for all these chemicals and the cumulative effects of them? Most farmers are not told of the hidden dangers especially of the cumulative effect. Only when insects, bird and marine life become affected will we see that this matches the ill health that children are starting to be impacted by. There is hidden secret science that is being kept from us because MSM are basically in the hands of big business. Is Glyphosate in NZ milk products?  Evidently no one in NZ is using the ‘latest leading edge technology’ to test for glyphosate in milk that has passed through the mammalian system. See Monica Kruger – European study <a href="http://www.gmoevidence.com/dr-kruger-glyphosate-is-toxic-to-dairy-cows/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.gmoevidence.com/dr-kruger-glyphosate-is-toxic-to-dairy-cows/</a> Basically science and the systems that the NZ Government have set up are failing people in NZ, and by default overseas buyers of our produce? Note that Glyphosate can be sprayed on wheat crops – so do some research yourself. As well as oil seeds – canola and your vegetable oils like soy used in convenience foods most are GMO’s and have been sprayed with Roundup. Baby formulas and infant formulas, become very problematic when there is no robust testing. In the NZ dairy industry – we need transparent protocols because Glyphosate is being used on NZ pastures before stock is grazed on it. NZ farmers are being TOLD that it is SAFE – so when one day the newsflashes on at 6PM screaming out that overseas somewhere - tests have found glyphosate in the milk – we can then look to Monsanto’s scientists for accountability. This could be impacting animal health, sperm and egg levels causing deformities – we have not seen the tests. Bread – what is it doing to us and our children? Because of chemicals in our food we can not always see what’s actually happening in our food. Because anti fungicides keep the fungus at bay, same as preservatives in meat - stop it from spoiling early. We have to become far more aware. Safer regulation makes for safer food – the EU has good regulation ERPA in NZ is much closer to trade based interests than to Mothers … Europe has recently made a recommendation in regard to Roundup and Glyphosate  based herbicides that it should not be sprayed on food crops anymore and the major adjuvants or ingredients in the formulation – called POEA –  should be taken out of Roundup and it should never be used around parks and where children congregate or play. These recommendations are light years ahead of the NZ EPA and country wide regulations. Julia Rutledge professor  <a href="http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/profiles/staff/people/julia_rucklidge.shtmlnzh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/profiles/staff/people/julia_rucklidge.shtmlnzh</a> How do we get the message out? Talk with your friends over a cup of tea and coffee, at cafes, at school events, at sports in weekends. Use FB appropriately plus link to good alternative media and be adroit - put your needs out among your friends. Web search – put blog in front and after a few pages of commercial posts you get to some very interesting info Listen to Ted talks or other programs – even GPFM. When it comes to children eating industrial farmed food we are at present in a global emergency. It is that developing babies, to infants, to children all the way up through their teens whose health is in balance. This is the critical time in the formation of all of their organs and growing body.     For adults it is different we are in essence fully formed so it is not as critical when compared to growing children. So the imperative is to get organised to make sure we have a healthy future for all children and grandchildren. <a href="http://www.rite-demands.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.rite-demands</a>.org <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/05/03/glyphosate-food.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/05/03/glyphosate-food.aspx</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115</a>

Jodie Bruning warns us of the discoveries she made while researching 'clean food and standards'