“The disappearance of insects is causing an unprecedented crisis for humanity. If we lose insects, we’re facing a catastrophic collapse of our ecosystems, food systems, and ultimately, our survival on this planet.”
~ Dave Goulson, a world-renowned biologist and advocate for insect conservation.
As an attorney working to protect public health and the environment, I recognize that the success of humanity as we know it is intertwined with the success of insects. Therefore, I was concerned when I read a story revealing that millions of bees at a bee research lab at the University of Nebraska were dying year after year since 2016. Upstream from the research center, in the community of Mead, was an ethanol plant. The death of these bees coincided with the processing of not just any old corn seed, but the processing of unused corn seed coated with brightly colored insecticides…Neonicotinoids, namely clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. The bee scientists in Nebraska led by Dr. Judy Wu Smart, linked the loss of the bees to the neonic-treated seeds used at the ethanol plant upstream that had contaminated the water.
As an advocate for the environment and justice for all, I feel compelled to shed light on a looming crisis threatening our ecosystems – the pervasive use of neonicotinoids, or neonics, in conventional agriculture. These chemicals, manufactured and marketed by chemical companies–Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, and Corteva–as a safeguard against pests, have insidiously infiltrated our environment, wreaking havoc on pollinators, soil, and even human health.
Neonics, the most widely used insecticide globally, blanket nearly 180 million acres of farmland in the United States alone. However, our nation has become nearly 48 times more toxic since the 1990s, with a staggering 92% of this increase attributed to neonics. If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, ponder this fact – neonics are calculated to be 7,000 times more toxic than the infamous pesticide DDT. Just one teaspoon of this lethal concoction can obliterate 1.25 billion bees – crucial pollinators upon which our food supply heavily relies.
But the detrimental effects of neonics extend beyond decimating bee populations. A mounting body of evidence implicates that these chemicals are harming beneficial insects, earthworms, birds, and even humans. (See image at the left of neonic seeds found in a turkey’s crop. Neonics were detected in its liver and fat.)ed in its liver and fat.) Shockingly, studies have detected neonics in the urine of 92% of pregnant women, raising concerns about their impact on fetal development and health. their urine with the highest concentrations in children ages 3 to 11.
Despite neonic bans in the European Union and laws with similar bans in states like New York and Quebec, neonics continue to pervade American agriculture unchecked. Corporate chemical giants market neonics under the guise of increased yields and pest protection. However, peer-reviewed studies consistently refute these claims, leaving farmers grappling with escalating costs and diminishing profits.
As an advocate for farmers in the Corn Belt, Midwest, and Northeast, I urge you to support a shift in the status quo. Complacency supports harmful practices. The prophylactic use of neonics has led to contamination of our soil, water, and air, and has posed an existential threat to humanity. It is imperative that we hold chemical corporations accountable for their deceptive practices and embrace effective sustainable alternatives that nurture rather than harm our environment.
Though change may seem daunting, it is essential to support farmers working to protect and restore the planet for current and future generations.
- Educate Yourself and Spread Awareness: Investigate the impact of neonics on pollinators, birds, and humans. Share what you learn with friends and family. Use social media platforms or local events to raise awareness and encourage others to join the conversation. Help amplify the call for action by mobilizing support for policies that restrict the use of neonics and promote sustainable alternatives.
- Support Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Vote with your dollars. Your choices impact the market. Purchase food from local farmers who practice organic or sustainable farming methods that minimize the use of pesticides, including neonics. Look for products stamped with the USDA Organic label or certifications that verify sustainable farming practices. You will incentivize farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices that reduce neonics in the environment and the food we eat.
Support farmers who are working to cultivate a future where our communities prosper, our pollinators flourish, and our planet thrives. The stakes are high – our environment, our health, and our very existence hang in the balance.