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#ProtectThePollinators Tour details are at http://sierraclub.ca/Protect-Pollinators
Honey bees have become the barometer for a new wave of ecological carnage unleashed by neonicotinoid pesticides (that are 10,000 times more toxic than DDT). Reports have also been pouring in from around the world about the loss of song birds, frogs and other amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and other pollinating insects.
I don’t need to remind you that honey bees and other pollinators are responsible for roughly 40% of the food on our plates today.
Neonicotinoid pesticides are neurotoxins. Bayer (yes, the aspirin company) is the largest global manufacturer. They have been on the market for a little more than a decade, and were originally billed as “safer” than other pesticides. We now know that the claim was untrue. The reality is that “neonic” pesticides may be causing a second Silent Spring.
Today, almost every corn and soybean crop is treated with deadly neonic pesticides.
Last June, the Worldwide Integrated Assessment (undertaken by the Task Force on Systemic Pesticides) made it absolutely clear that neonicotinoid pesticides must be banned. The study reviewed some 800 scientific papers and concluded that the devastating impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides go far beyond honey bees, but also pose a serious threat to amphibians, butterflies and even birds (new research links neonic pesticide use to declining song bird populations in North America).
Neonic pesticides have been shown to persist in the soil and in water…bad news! The sheer amount of neonicotinoids being used is massive. It’s no wonder the bee-killing pesticides are being detected in ponds, lakes and rivers around the world.
Science prompted the EU to respond with a two year ban and further studies – a wise “precautionary principal” approach. On the other hand, Canada and the U.S. responded by “talking” to farmers, farm machinery makers and chemical companies about “better” pesticide use practices.
Unfortunately, most governments have sided with the chemical manufacturers. They claim that neonic pesticides are needed to maintain crop yields (and banning them would be a disaster). A new EPA study, however, begs to differ. It concluded that the use of neonicotinoid pesticides had no (zero) benefit to soybean production.
Only a massive public outcry will drown out the vested interests of the agro-chemical industry.
TAKE ACTION
1) Sign our petition here!
2) Sing out loud!
We want to hear you sing: “All we are saying, is give bees a chance” ♫♫
- Tweet your short video using the hashtag #GiveBeesAChance
- Post it to our Facebook page (and share it with friends & loved ones)
I look forward to seeing your video! We’ll be giving some Sierra Club hats to the most impressive entries!
As always, a sincere thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.
John Bennett, National Program Director
Sierra Club Canada Foundation
1510-1 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7
jb@sierraclub.ca
John on Twitter / Bennett Blog
CLICK HERE for more information on our #SaveTheBees campaign
