California

How could this have happened? How can it be that these once thriving insects-the key to one of the most fundamental, life-sustaining processes on earth-are being driven toward oblivion? Some answers have emerged amid fierce debate, for there is much at stake here, including the health of our planet, and therefore us, and billions of dollars. How so?

One thing is clear. We are dousing our country with agrochemicals produced by giant companies like Bayer and Monsanto, including neonicotinoids, or "neonics." Prior to their release these companies undertook multimillion dollar marketing campaigns to assure the public and all parties concerned, such as the EPA and Congress no less, that their chemicals were safe for humans and do not harm non-targeted species. This dupe has been swallowed hook, line, and sinker. And the result-billions of dollars in profit and no telling how many politicians in company pockets.

But the evidence shows otherwise. By volume neonics are 10,000 times more potent than DDT. They attack an insect's central nervous systems causing paralysis and death, including bees and other pollinators. And what complicates the matter much further is that these are not surface insecticides that wash off with a first rain. They absorb into the vascular system and poison every part of the plant for extended periods of time, often years. They linger in soil and wash into waterways in high concentrations. A recent Dutch study showed 70% fewer invertebrates in water polluted with neonics. And killing off mayflies and midges may have a domino effect on birds that rely on them for food.

But the most damning evidence came last June when an international task force published an analysis of 800 peer-reviewed studies on neonics. They found significant evidence of harm, not only to bees, but birds, wasps, butterflies, beetles, worms, and fish. The report's leading author gave this somber assessment: "Far from enhancing our food production, the use of neonics is threatening the very infrastructure that enables it." One fourth generation beekeeper put it like this: "The farms that my bees service are now contaminated agri-deserts where only row crops exist that are treated with chemicals all year long. We have cast aside the value of conservation for biofuel." And perhaps the most shocking report of all-numerous field studies have shown that the use of neonics has done little to nothing to increase crop yields! We are doing this harm for no good. Except for the agri-tech companies and their pawns.

There are many confounding variables in the bee story such as mites, viruses, and loss of foraging habitat. But the bottom line is that until we turn back the tidal wave of bee-killing pesticides unleashed in this country in recent years, everything else will be just spinning our wheels.

Return to Collection	Next Photograph

How could this have happened? How can it be that these once thriving insects-the key to one of the most fundamental, life-sustaining processes on earth-are being driven toward oblivion? Some answers have emerged amid fierce debate, for there is much at stake here, including the health of our planet, and therefore us, and billions of dollars. How so? One thing is clear. We are dousing our country with agrochemicals produced by giant companies like Bayer and Monsanto, including neonicotinoids, or "neonics." Prior to their release these companies undertook multimillion dollar marketing campaigns to assure the public and all parties concerned, such as the EPA and Congress no less, that their chemicals were safe for humans and do not harm non-targeted species. This dupe has been swallowed hook, line, and sinker. And the result-billions of dollars in profit and no telling how many politicians in company pockets. But the evidence shows otherwise. By volume neonics are 10,000 times more potent than DDT. They attack an insect's central nervous systems causing paralysis and death, including bees and other pollinators. And what complicates the matter much further is that these are not surface insecticides that wash off with a first rain. They absorb into the vascular system and poison every part of the plant for extended periods of time, often years. They linger in soil and wash into waterways in high concentrations. A recent Dutch study showed 70% fewer invertebrates in water polluted with neonics. And killing off mayflies and midges may have a domino effect on birds that rely on them for food. But the most damning evidence came last June when an international task force published an analysis of 800 peer-reviewed studies on neonics. They found significant evidence of harm, not only to bees, but birds, wasps, butterflies, beetles, worms, and fish. The report's leading author gave this somber assessment: "Far from enhancing our food production, the use of neonics is threatening the very infrastructure that enables it." One fourth generation beekeeper put it like this: "The farms that my bees service are now contaminated agri-deserts where only row crops exist that are treated with chemicals all year long. We have cast aside the value of conservation for biofuel." And perhaps the most shocking report of all-numerous field studies have shown that the use of neonics has done little to nothing to increase crop yields! We are doing this harm for no good. Except for the agri-tech companies and their pawns. There are many confounding variables in the bee story such as mites, viruses, and loss of foraging habitat. But the bottom line is that until we turn back the tidal wave of bee-killing pesticides unleashed in this country in recent years, everything else will be just spinning our wheels.

© Danny Kimberlin 2015