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By Steve Blackledge
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America
Beekeepers are sounding the alarm that this year is on track to see the biggest bee die-offs in history. Some beekeepers are reporting honeybee losses have jumped from around 30% up to 75%.
The losses have been so severe that it could send bees into a long-term “death spiral.”
This Giving Tuesday, your gift to Environment America will help save precious wildlife like bees from threats.
What is causing these bee deaths?
Several culprits, including habitat loss, have caused population reduction in bees.
But prior to the introduction of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) 30 years ago, beekeepers rarely, if ever, saw the kind of major losses that have become routine in recent years.
Since the widespread introduction of
neonics in the late 1990s, wild bumblebees, honeybee hives and dozens of
other bee species have seen their populations plummet. These chemicals
are 1,000 times more deadly to bees than DDT, attacking the bee’s nervous system, causing uncontrolled shaking, paralysis and death.
And it’s not just honeybees that are
at risk – native bee species are suffering massive losses as well. And,
nearly a quarter of bumblebee species are at risk of going extinct. If honey bees experience this ‘death spiral,’ all types of bees could suffer, too.
You can help protect bees
To save bees from a death spiral,
Environment Washington has our work cut out for us. That’s why we’re
urging companies, elected officials and concerned citizens to join our
efforts to save the bees from bee-killing pesticides.
And, our national network is
campaigning for more states to restrict the worst uses of neonics. And
we’re ginning up support to plant more bee-friendly flowers and plants.
But, since we don’t take a penny from
corporations, supporters like you make all the difference on protecting
bees and other wildlife.
Make a Giving Tuesday donation today to help save the bees from “death spirals.”
