Chapter I
WhyThe case against spirits made from pesticide-grown crops.
Our goal isn’t to encourage people to drink more — but to inspire them to drink better.
From ancient rituals to modern gatherings, alcoholic drinks have been part of human connection for thousands of years. In an increasingly digital world, they still bring people together over something shared.
Better tasting, and better for the planet. Traditional drinks made from pesticide-reliant crops carry a cost to farming communities, wildlife and the environment. At Audécious™ we believe that cost is far too high — which is why we took a stand with certified-organic, sustainably made products.
The human cost
Impact on humanity
The heavy use of pesticides in agriculture is causing a global health crisis. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates 385 million cases of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning worldwide each year, including around 11,000 fatalities.
The Canadian Cancer Society links pesticide exposure to several cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lung cancer. In the United States, where nearly 90% of pesticides are used in agriculture, farm workers and their families face exposure levels up to 400 times higher than average. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that children are especially vulnerable, because their brains and nervous systems are still developing.
The burden falls hardest on the people closest to the fields.
The natural cost
The toll on wildlife and the environment
An estimated 17 million hectares — about two million football fields — grow crops for the alcoholic beverages industry. British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food notes that pesticides pollute and harm non-target plants, wildlife and aquatic life through improper application and disposal.
Beyond Pesticides links exposure to cancer and reproductive harm across wildlife populations. Penn State University found 91% of pollen samples contaminated with pesticides, some containing up to 31 different types. The economic cost of the resulting biodiversity loss could reach hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
Sources: UNEP; Canadian Cancer Society; US EPA; BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food; Beyond Pesticides; Penn State Extension. Full reference list available on request.
The list
Where we pour next
New markets, new serves, and the occasional bottle before anyone else. Nothing weekly, nothing automated.