Tell Your Governor: Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides NOW!
- by: Julie S.
- recipient: United States Governors
Bees and other pollinators are dying at an alarming rate, threatening food security, economic stability, and the balance of ecosystems. Immediate action must be taken to ban a class of pesticides called neonics that are significantly contributing to the decline of these species. Neonics are so widely used that even the plants in your own garden -if pretreated-may be poisoning pollinators without your awareness.
According to the results of a recent investigation by the United Nations, 40% of invertebrate pollinators-wild bees and butterflies, and 16.5% of vertebrate pollinators-bats and birds, are facing extinction. These statistics are frightening given that 75% of the world's food crops depend on pollinators. Pollinators contribute $235 billion to the US economy, and $577 billion to the global economy, every year.
Research has shown that even very small doses of neonics are highly toxic to bees, and harmful to other pollinators as well. Exposure to these pesticides weakens bees' immune systems and interferes with their nervous systems so that they cannot find food and return to their hives.
Even the bees know they are in danger from neonics! Fascinatingly, scientists have found that bees seal up hive cells that contain pollen with the highest level of pesticides to protect their babies.
Unfortunately, gardeners with good intentions to create bee and butterfly sanctuaries may actually be killing them. Research shows that 54% of garden plants purchased major retailers contained neonics at levels that could kill bees, with no warning to the consumer.
In spite of a vast amount of evidence that neonics are a major source of pollinator decline, the EPA has failed to take action to eliminate these products. This year, Maryland passed the Pollinator Protection Act, banning retail sales of pesticides containing neonics. The dire situation of bees and other pollinators, and the astonishing failure of the EPA to protect pollinators and our food system, requires that other states follow Maryland's lead.
Please send an urgent message to your governor to introduce legislation to ban the sale of neonics AND ban the sale of plants pretreated with these pesticides. Bees and other pollinators are vital to our well-being and the well-being of the planet-and they are going extinct before our eyes. Please sign and share this petition today to demand that your governor introduce legislation to ban pollinator-killing pesticides NOW.
Dear Governor,
I am deeply concerned by the alarming rate at which bees and other pollinators are dying. The decline of these species threatens food security, economic stability, and the balance of ecosystems. A vast amount of scientific research shows that neonic pesticides are deadly to pollinators even in small doses. I urge you to take immediate action to ban consumer sales of neonic pesticides, as well as plants that have been pre-treated with neonics.
According to the results of a recent investigation by the United Nations, 40% of invertebrate pollinators-wild bees and butterflies, and 16.5% of vertebrate pollinators-bats and birds, are facing extinction. These statistics are frightening given that 75% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators. Pollinators contribute $235 billion to the US economy, and $577 billion to the global economy, every year.
Research has shown that even very small doses of neonics are highly toxic to bees, and harmful to other pollinators as well. Exposure to these pesticides weakens bees’ immune systems and interferes with their nervous systems so that they cannot find food and return to their hives.
Even the bees know they are in danger from neonics! Fascinatingly, scientists have found that bees seal up hive cells that contain pollen with the highest level of pesticides to protect their babies.
Unfortunately, gardeners with good intentions to create bee and butterfly sanctuaries may actually be killing them. Research shows that 54% of garden plants purchased major retailers contained neonics at levels that could kill bees, with no warning to the consumer.
In spite of a vast amount of evidence that neonics are a major source of pollinator decline, The EPA has failed to take action to eliminate these products. This year, Maryland passed the Pollinator Protection Act, banning retail sales of pesticides containing neonics. The dire situation of bees and other pollinators, and the astonishing failure of the EPA to protect pollinators and our food system, requires that other states follow Maryland’s lead.
I urge you to introduce legislation to ban the sale of neonics and ban the sale of plants pretreated with these pesticides. Bees and other pollinators are vital to our well-being and the well-being of the planet-and they are going extinct before our eyes.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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