Will America Step Up To The Plate and Ban Neonicotinoids?
It’s a brand new year that awaits the changing of the guard as a new administration takes the helm. This year is already filled with eagerness in anticipation of a number of possibilities regarding the environment, both good and bad. Although, some of key focal points are energy and climate change, it will be very interesting to see if any progress is made to protect our pollinators. Meanwhile, industry hasn’t wasted a single minute and has begun its routine of spewing out rhetoric in hopes of maintaining huge profits while beekeepers struggle to keep their bees alive. Meanwhile, in Europe, the impact of neonicotinoids on pollinators is being carefully monitored and reviewed. In a recent paper, the lethal impact proves to be the cause for the decline in birds. Will America step up to the plate this year and finally ban neonicotinoids?
To listen to the interview, press play on the video below:
About The Neonicotinoid View:
“The Neonicotinoid View”, which is produced by The Organic View Radio Show is unique, weekly program that explores the impact of neonicotinoids on the environment. It is the only show that discusses these critical issues each week and focuses on the lethal impact of the most toxic chemicals ever created by mankind which are responsible for poisoning our planet. Tune in each week as host, June Stoyer and Colorado beekeeper, Tom Theobald, explore the latest research and news from the beekeeping community.
Honey Bees: The Sacrificial Blanket
JS: Can you please explain how this type of weather impacts honeybees?
TT: A healthy colony of honeybees is actually pretty resilient when it comes to the cold. They cluster together and by vibrating their flight muscles,they are able to generate a survival temperature within the cluster.
On these really really cold nights, that outside blanket of bees doesn’t survive and they become a sacrificial blanket. But the colony has a high enough population that it can afford those losses and still survive.
Because of the effects of neonicotinoids and to a lesser degree, I believe, the parasitic mites, we are seeing colonies going into the winter underpopulated and a smaller cluster is much more vulnerable on these cold, cold nights. So, we worry when it gets this cold more now than we would 20 years ago.
JS: Why is that, Tom? Can you explain to people that are not familiar with beekeeping, how bees exist?
TT: Well, think of a normal cluster might be tightly clustered, might be be the size of a soccer ball. The bees cluster together they vibrate their flight muscles and they generate heat. Even though they are a cold-blooded insect, they can generate heat. Well, if you have a cluster that is underpopulated and is the size of a softball, that is not large enough to generate enough heat to maintain a survival temperature through these cold, cold nights where the cold penetrates all the way through the cluster and kills the colony.
Misrepresentation For The Misinformed
“It’s something called projection. People can’t see the failings in themselves and they apply those failings to others. That is what the chemical industry is doing. They are doing everything they can to distort the science and flat out lie. It’s misrepresentation for the misinformed. For people who are not well informed, these things may sound plausible but they are just plain lies.
All of the listeners have to do is dig a little deeper. They can see what the truth is. There is an overwhelming volume of scientific evidence connecting these neonicotinoids to the death of pollinators and many other insect species. This is a terrible, terrible environmental disaster. The only reason these are billion dollar products is because the billions of dollars in environmental damages are going unaccounted for.” – Tom Theobald
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As far as “making America great Again” …..with regards to honeybees, it will be interesting to see what the Trump administration does, if anything which is doubtful. None of the elected officials put the environment as a priority.
Do we need to starve before EPA actually does something?
Europe has taken the lead. What is America waiting for, an invitation to fix the contamination it help spread?